Christ Church Forum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rector's Annual Report 2008
 

 

(The Rev. John Dixon and his wife Ninfa are full-time missionaries planting a church in Alicante, Spain. He was our guest preacher about two months ago, and because of the support he received that Sunday, he was able to return to Spain and continue their ministry there.)

 

Pertaining to the Church Informational Meeting, Feb. 7, 2010 (1-2):

1. Church Informational Meeting, from facilitator

 

2. Vestry Letter to the Parish, January 12, 2010
 

 

 

 

Christ Church Vestry to Bishop Lillibridge and Response:

Bishop Lillibridge's Response to Christ Church Vestry, November 10, 2009

 

 

September 30, 2009: A letter from the diocesan elected leaders dated September 17 was sent to every household in the Diocese of West Texas. All, by now, have received this in the mail. Christ Church vestry, meeting September 15, had no knowledge of the diocesan letter when unanimous approval was given to send our own letter to diocesan leaders raising some questions that we still have (click here for letter). We will, of course, keep you posted on how the bishops and elected leaders of West Texas respond to the questions we raised. In the meantime, if you have questions or feedback, please contact your vestry or clergy.

 

September 9, 2009: Most of you know that the Episcopal Church has changed pretty drastically in recent years, but do you know that the change started some 40-50 years ago? Church History Professor, Les Fairfield, said, "Beginning in the early 1870s, a theology deeply skeptical about many of Christianity's central claims began to influence the leadership of the Episcopal Church, and then spread throughout it. By the late 1960s it had come to dominate the Church entirely." For a brief outline of how this happened, click here...

 

July 1, 2009: Have you read Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren? The subtitle is revealing: “A refreshing new approach to sharing the love of Jesus with others: no guilt, no stress, low risk and high grace.” This is a book for anyone who has ever thought that he/she doesn’t know enough or isn’t good enough or just can’t bring himself to “evangelize.” It will stretch you to believe that God can use even you!
 
Sjogren’s idea is to show God’s love in practical and free ways. It’s based on the belief that Christians should BE the good news before they can SPEAK the good news. Research shows that it takes at least five significant encounters with “the gospel” before people come to seek God in their lives. (I would add that it takes a mother who prays, a dad who lives the message, a friend who shares, a pastor who preaches, and a church who loves.)
 
So, what would happen if we at Christ Church decided to show God’s free love in practical ways? Can you imagine our youth groups offering a “free, no-donations allowed car wash” some Saturday? And when people ask, “Why?” our kids would say: “We just want to show God’s love in a practical way.” Can you see one of our Bible studies providing free gift-wrapping at one of the malls? If people asked, “Why?” they would say: “Because we want to show God’s love in a practical way.” What would happen if the Daughters of the King or Thursday Men’s Bible study delivered potted plants and a welcome note to all those who visit our church on Sunday morning? Or offered to rake the yards of our neighbors? Can you imagine something as wild as returning to your car parked downtown and finding a note on the window: “While you were gone we fed your parking meter to show you God’s love in a practical way. If there is anything else we can do to help you, please call 736-3132, your friends at Christ Episcopal Church.”
 
Not everyone is Billy Graham. There are people among us who are gifted evangelists, and there are others (like Dorcas who was “always doing good and helping the poor” Acts 9:36). It would have been hard to see Dorcas in action and not get a look at the love of God who inspired her.  In what ways can you show the love of God in practical ways?

 

Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren is available in the Chi Rho Bookstore at the church.

 

June 24, 2009: You will likely read about a new Anglican province that is being formed in the United States and Canada.  The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) is based on traditional biblical values and the historic teaching of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.  It unites some 700 parishes in 28 dioceses in one organization.
 
At a meeting in Bedford, Texas this week, the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan (Bishop of Pittsburgh) was installed as Archbishop during the inaugural provincial assembly.  In addition, a new Constitution and Canons was approved.  Our own primate, the Rt. Rev. Jefferts Schori, opposes this, but already seven of the 38 primates of the Anglican Communion have given their official blessing and support. 
 
Membership of this province-in-formation is estimated at 100,000 based on average Sunday attendance of 69,197 (as of spring 2009), including more than 800 ordained clergy.  Currently, ACNA's membership equals or exceeds that of 12 of the Anglican Communion's 38 provinces.
 
There are two ways traditional Episcopalians have addressed the innovations, and sometimes-false teaching, of the The Episcopal Church (TEC).  Some have left to be a part of one of the Anglican judicatories that are now part of the ACNA (including 4 whole dioceses in the last year).  And some have chosen to stay and work with their orthodox bishops for reform from within.  After a lengthy and prayerful time of discernment that included a number of conversations with our bishop, Christ Church's vestry issued "A Statement to the Parish" October 2008 (on our CEC website under "Christ Church Forum").  The vestry unanimously resolved to "disassociate from TEC's false teachings without disconnecting from the Anglican Communion and the Diocese of West Texas."  We resolved to participate fully in the life of the diocese while affirming that Christ Church is apostolically connected to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ through the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury and our diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge," not through the provincial structure of TEC or its Presiding Bishop.
 
What will become of ACNA is yet to be seen.  It could grow to become "the" legitimate Anglican presence in the U.S.  Or it could be opposed by the leaders of the Anglican Communion and be destined to be just another Protestant denomination.  Whatever happens, It is a significant development and needs our prayers:
For thy holy catholic church.  Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it.  Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior.
-Chuck

 

June 24, 2009: Is life in the suburbs killing your soul? Do you find yourself swallowed up in shallow friendships? Is your life on autopilot while other people really seem to be living? I've discovered a beautifully written book that calls us to the "thicker life." Death by Suburbs: How to Keep the Suburbs From Killing your Soul, by David L. Goetz, could have been written about us. Goetz peels back and exposes the inane life that is typical of the suburbs. He calls us to authenticity that is rare and refreshing. He will make you laugh in his brutal critique and long for a meaningful existence that God has prepared for us. He will make you hunger for friendships that call out the best in us. Goetz's book is easy and assessable, and will make great summer reading!
-Chuck