tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-317151162024-03-13T19:59:38.341-07:00Small Membership ChurchesThis space is intended for those with an interest in small membership churches (defined as those with an average Sunday attendance of 70 people or less.) It is a place to share stories of vitality, hope, vision, challenge, and prayers.Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-76011217603720731782010-05-06T16:21:00.000-07:002010-05-06T16:21:08.734-07:00This blog is on the moveHi everybody. I am in the process of shutting down this blog, and moving to a new blog which I hope will be more encompassing of the work I do. You will be able to find my new blog called "The Vital Church" at the following address<br />
<a href="http://vitalchurch.blogspot.com/">http://vitalchurch.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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Come and check out the work over there. I look forward to having you join the conversation.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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BobBob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-6609033024387884072010-01-25T11:45:00.000-08:002010-01-25T11:45:40.312-08:00Episcopal Church Foundation's 2010 Fellowship Grant CycleHi all,<br />
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Are you looking for some financial resources to do some in-depth work around transformational ministries? The Episcopal Church Foundation has opened its 2010 grant cycle, with applications due by March 15, 2010. If you want to learn more about this great opportunity, follow the link below.<br />
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Peace,<br />
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Bob<br />
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<a href="http://episcopalfoundation.org/tools-and-programs/leadership-tools/fellowship-partners-program">http://episcopalfoundation.org/tools-and-programs/leadership-tools/fellowship-partners-program</a>Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-86104075600817702102010-01-21T15:58:00.000-08:002010-01-21T15:58:06.178-08:00Wartburg Seminary Rural Ministry ConferenceHey all...<br />
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The 29th annual Rural Ministry Conference, hosted by Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, is set for March 7-9, 2010. Here's a link to their brochure:<br />
<a href="http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/uploadedfiles/2010.rmc.pdf">http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/uploadedfiles/2010.rmc.pdf</a><br />
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It sounds like a great conference. Check it out if you're interested.<br />
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Peace,<br />
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BobBob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-2547315494781466242010-01-20T10:36:00.000-08:002010-01-20T10:44:41.652-08:00Episcopal Appalachian Ministries grant availableGreetings all,<br /><br />I just got word that the Episcopal Appalachian Ministries is receiving grant applications for its Spring cycle. The grants are only available to those in the Appalachian region, but either you or someone you know may be eligible. Some of the specifics of the grant are as follows:<br /><br /><em>Size of Grants: Grants usually range in size from $500 to $3,000.<br /></em><br /><em>Eligibility: Grants are made to diocesan, parish, or community-based organizations in member dioceses. These organizations will serve communities in the Appalachian region or urban Appalachian communities outside the region.<br /></em><br /><em>Criteria: Appalachian Initiative Grants may be used as seed money for organizations to seize opportunities of a one-time nature. On-going operating costs will not be given priority. Successful applications will usually involve helping Appalachians address regional issues such as poverty, health care, unemployment, education, cultural affirmation, or the environment through direct service.</em> <br /><br />Application deadline is February 28, 2010. Here's the link to the E.A.M website (which includes the grant application on its start page) if you're interested.<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.visit-eam.org/">http://www.visit-eam.org</a><br /><br />Spread the word!<br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />BbBob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-39928248806118503032009-10-16T13:33:00.000-07:002009-10-16T13:53:08.225-07:00Leadership in the Small Congregation Summer Collegium at Virginia Theological Seminary<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#ffff00;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Applications are now available for the Summer Collegium, a project in support of small congregations at Virginia Theological Seminary in </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Alexandria</span></st1:city><span style="font-family:Calibri;">, </span><st1:state><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Virginia</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family:Calibri;">. Clergy (and their spouses or partners) from 25 small churches of all Christian denominations are invited to spend nine days at Virginia Seminary for encouragement, education, rest and renewal. <em><b><span style="font-family:Calibri;">All expenses, including travel, books, meals, lodging, child care at home and pulpit supply, are paid by a grant from the Lilly Endowment. </span></b></em></span><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#ffff00;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The theme of the Summer Collegium this year is Leadership in the Small Congregation. Our keynote speaker will be Alice Mann, a prolific writer on congregational ministry, and John Bell from the Iona Community in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Scotland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> will join our worship team for the conference. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff00;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ></span></span> </p><p><span style="color:#ffff00;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" >The dates for the Summer Collegium are June 23 - </span><st1:date month="7" day="1" year="2010"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" >July 1, 2010</span></st1:date></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><span style="color:#ffff00;">. Application forms are on our website<span style="font-family:Calibri;">, </span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#ffff00;"> <a href="http://www.vts.edu/education/collegium">www.vts.edu/education/collegium</a> or will be sent in the mail by emailing </span><span style="color:#ffff00;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="mailto:SummerCollegium@vts.edu">SummerCollegium@vts.edu</a> or by calling 703-461-1760. Applications must be postmarked by </span><st1:date month="12" day="15" year="2009"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">December 15, 2009</span></st1:date><span style="font-family:Calibri;">, to be considered. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:#ffff00;">Marilyn Johns, D. Min. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:#ffff00;">Project Manager, The Summer Collegium</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#ffff00;"><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';">Virginia</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"> Theological Seminary</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><st1:street><st1:address><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:#ffff00;">3737 Seminary Road</span></st1:address></st1:street><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#ffff00;"><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';">Alexandria</span></st1:city><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';">, </span><st1:state><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';">Virginia</span></st1:state><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"> </span><st1:postalcode><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';">22304</span></st1:postalcode></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:#ffff00;">703-461-1760</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:#ffff00;">www.vts.edu/education/collegium</span><o:p></o:p></p></span>Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-17387131989415536552009-10-14T16:56:00.000-07:002009-10-14T17:01:44.818-07:00Virginia Theological Seminary makes resource availableHi everybody. I just came across this great link (thanks JC) to a resource provided by Virginia Theological Seminary. It is video of a D.Min class at VTS focusing on applying Family Systems Theory to ministry (think Murray Bowen, Ed Friedman, and Peter Steinke). If you want to learn more about this great material, click on the link below:<br /><br /><a href="http://http//www.vts.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=125409">http://http://www.vts.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=125409</a><br /><br />Enjoy!Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-56726681230898382562009-06-03T12:57:00.000-07:002009-06-03T13:05:03.119-07:00Roanridge 2010 Applications AvailableGreetings all,<br /><br />Grant applications are now being accepted through September 1, 2009 for the 2010 granting cycle of funds through the Roanridge Foundation Trust.<br /><br />"What is the Roanridge Foundation?" you may ask. Well, it is named for a farm in Missouri which had originally been donated to the Episcopal Church for clergy and laity to develop a deeper understanding of rural and small-town ministry. Eventually the farm was sold, and the proceeds became the corpus of a fund which annually distributes grants specifically for the "training of town and country clergy and rural Christian workers" of the Episcopal Church. In other words, it is for the development of ministry resources for rural and small town settings across the country.<br /><br />To learn more about the Roanridge Trust... and to access an application, simply click on:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/smallchurch_51593_ENG_HTM.htm?menupage=51387">http://www.episcopalchurch.org/smallchurch_51593_ENG_HTM.htm?menupage=51387</a><br /><br />I invite you to apply for Roanridge funding for your most creative ministry opportunities.<br /><br />God's Peace,<br /><br />Bob HoneychurchBob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-35080243019146811502009-05-07T06:17:00.000-07:002009-05-07T06:22:05.444-07:00Great story about work in IowaI've posted a link here from the on-line version of the Des Moines (Iowa) Register, which tells the story of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Ankeny, IA. They are a small church doing some marvelous work with the various immigrant families in their community. Their $25,000 grant comes by way of the Roanridge Trust fund, a pool of funds available to churches across the country through an annual distribution process. New Roanridge Fund applications will be accepted beginning on June 1, 2009. When those applications are available, I'll post another blog letting folks know how to access it. But in the mean time, check out the great stuff happening in Iowa. "Go, St. Anne's"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090507/NEWS/905070304/1001/NEWS&community=Ankeny">http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090507/NEWS/905070304/1001/NEWS&community=Ankeny</a>Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-24220133068419056532009-05-04T09:09:00.000-07:002009-05-04T09:13:13.330-07:00What's a "vital congregation"?<p>Based on my experiences, conversations, and insights of working with communities of faith across the country, I have developed the following “definition” of a vital congregation… which is very much a work-in-progress. It is constantly being informed and revised as I continue my conversations across the church. But for the moment, it goes like this:<br /><br /><em>A vital congregation is a community of faith which:<br />Invites people to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ<br />Creates opportunities for personal and corporate transformation<br />Equips and empowers people for gospel mission in the world</em><br /><br />All that said, this definition says nothing about a congregation’s size or budget, whether it is rural or urban, whether it can afford the services of full-time clergy, or what part of the country this church may be located in. In other words, I believe that all congregations have the potential to be “vital” congregations. Let me briefly unpack that definition above just a little (though in reality I could go on and on about it).<br /><br />“Invites people to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ” I believe that this invitation contains 3 necessary dimensions: Teaching people how to pray; teaching people how to engage the scriptures; and teaching people how to live in community. Lots of congregations tend to dabble in this, but not necessarily in a way that gives each individual member a point of entry into that life of passion.<br /></p><br />“Creates opportunities for personal and corporate transformation” If our lives aren’t changed by being a part of a faith community, then what’s the point of being there? I believe that transformation is a two-edged sword as well. Communities of faith are places where my life can be changed, but they’re also places where our life can be changed as well as the holy People of God. Certainly from an Episcopal perspective, one of the primary (although certainly not the only) opportunities we have for transformation is through our worship. I tell worship leaders (lay and ordained) that, when they design and lead a worship service – every worship service they lead – if they are not doing so with the intention that somebody’s life might be changed as a result of that worship service, then they’re wasting their time. Worship has to be a lot more than “going through the motions” if it’s going to have meaning in people’s lives.<br /><br />“Equips and empowers people for gospel mission in the world” At the end of the day, it isn’t about “me”… it isn’t even about “us.” It’s about fulfilling the Great Commission to “go out into the world.” Vital congregations are those which give people the necessary tools – spiritual, technical, social, emotional, etc. – to ‘be the heart and hands of Jesus in the world”… for it is “in the world” where the church is ultimately called to be. We are not a cloistered community of prayer, defending ourselves from the assaults of the world around us. We are only the Church when we are fully integrated into the lives, the culture, the daily experience of our wider community. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world…” not “For God so loved the church.” And so, in the words of Kennon Callahan, “when the Church is in the world, God is in the church. And when the Church is not in the world, God is still in the world.” And so it is in the world where the Church is called to be.<br /><br />As you can probably tell, this definition doesn’t provide for many specific metrics to determine how effective a congregation is. It does, however, provide some real-life, incarnated examples of congregational vitality. When I use this definition with groups, we can then play it all out in some detail… out of which we can then develop some evaluative models for how a church measures up to the definition.Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-8726490751432185082009-03-19T16:35:00.000-07:002009-03-19T16:38:49.889-07:00Welcoming Abundance!!The 2009 Conference on Stewardship, Evangelism, and Congregational Development is being held on May 15-16 at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA. If you're looking for a great way to connect with people from across the church (and hang out in San Diego, where the sun always shines), make plans to attend. For more information, visit the Province VIII website at <a href="http://provinceviii.org/">http://provinceviii.org/</a>Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-88693810799142095972009-03-19T14:05:00.000-07:002009-03-19T14:07:42.706-07:002010 Federal Budget -- What's In It for Rural America?The Rural Policy Research Institute has drafted a response to the 2010 Federal Budget, looking especially at its impact on life in rural America. Check it out at <a href="http://www.rupri.org/leftsidemore.php?selectedid=18">http://www.rupri.org/leftsidemore.php?selectedid=18</a>Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-6783747300072567742009-03-19T14:02:00.001-07:002009-03-19T14:04:02.911-07:00Want to Learn How to be a Farmer or Rancher?The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding grant money to encourage the skills of new farmers and ranchers. Check out the link at <a href="http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=46027">http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=46027</a>Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-53833321694668820362009-03-19T13:53:00.000-07:002009-03-19T13:58:27.586-07:00Check out the Revised Common Lectionary Bible Study BlogSarah Johnson, Associate Program Officer for Older Adult Formation and Resource Ministries, (now, that's a job title, isn't it?) maintains a wonderful weekly Bible Study blog based on the upcoming Sunday readings, utilizing the Revised Common Lectionary. If you're looking for ideas for sermons, wanting to reflect on thoughtful questions, or just get a peek at the lessons coming up this Sunday, do check it out. You'll find it at <a href="http://rclbiblestudy.blogspot.com/">http://rclbiblestudy.blogspot.com/</a>Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-57484946144803195592009-03-08T22:07:00.000-07:002009-03-08T22:21:21.258-07:00Small Church Leadership Conference in North CarolinaIf you're looking for a great way to expand your understanding of some of the particular qualities of leadership in small churches -- not to mention getting connected with some other great small church leaders -- consider making the trek out to Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina on May 26-29 to be a part of "The Small Church Leadership Conference." To learn more about this great opportunity, just click on the following link:<br /><a href="http://www.tens.org/articles/pdfs/2009_SCLC_Brochure.pdf">http://www.tens.org/articles/pdfs/2009_SCLC_Brochure.pdf</a>Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-51870379271430381162009-03-02T09:54:00.000-08:002009-03-02T10:01:06.096-08:00Alban Institute WeeklyDid you know that the Alban Institute, that great resource for printed materials and conferences, also has a weekly e-newsletter that they distribute FREE OF CHARGE? It's a wonderful way to gain access to some of the most current thought on a wide variety of subjects of particular concern to the church today. This week's lead article entitled, "Ministry in Hard Times" talks about some of the unique challenges and opportunities which confront congregations across the country. The link to the article is:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.alban.org/conversation.aspx?id=7184">http://www.alban.org/conversation.aspx?id=7184</a><br /><br />If you like what you see, you can subscribe to the weekly post. Check it out... it's good stuff.Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-26918206569005549032009-02-23T13:27:00.000-08:002009-02-23T13:28:21.046-08:00The RubSo… here’s the rub. You know the terms – “family, pastoral, program, resource – (and maybe ‘transitional’ thrown in for good measure).” They are the language of congregation size models used throughout the Church. For the past 25 years, since Arlin Rothauge wrote Sizing Up a Congregation, the “gold standard’ for most congregations in the Episcopal Church (not to mention churches in lots of other denominations as well) seems to have been “let’s work toward becoming a Program Size parish.” You see it in parish profiles. You hear it when talking with diocesan staff members. You sense it in the eyes of countless seminarians who are just looking for their first big break as a curate or associate in a Program Church.<br /> <br />So, if it’s such a great model, then why isn’t it working? Churches are cutting their associate positions right and left. Congregations that have languished with an Average Sunday Attendance of between 100 and 150 for the last 50 years have never “gotten over the hurdle”… despite well-meaning clergy and lay leaders; despite every new gimmick, or program, or study, or consultant they’ve tried.<br /><br />Maybe it’s because “striving to become a Program Church” is a dead model, a style of church more attuned to the Age of Christendom, even though we’re now firmly ensconced in a Post-Christendom world. Let’s face it… “Build it and they will come” can’t be the mantra for the Church of the 21st Century. <br /><br />So what might take its place? I think that the operative terms for the faith community of the future (and they had better become the operative terms for the faith community of the present, if there are to be faith communities of the future) are no longer “size” or “program offerings”. Instead terms like “flexibility”, “nimbleness”, and “context” should instead be at the forefront of our conversations. Vital communities of faith are asking themselves, “How do we offer the ‘faith once delivered’ in a way that will make a difference in the lives of those around us?” The question needs to be asked in churches of all sizes, in all locations, and of every theological or ecclesiological bent. Those who ask the question – and then are willing to embrace the reality of the answer – are those who will make a difference in the days to come.Bob Honeychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376497353773664131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-34269190713822508712008-07-07T06:37:00.000-07:002008-07-07T06:39:22.958-07:00From Wayne SchwabPastors and lay leaders . . . empower the laity,<br />God’s primary agents<br />of mission in today’s world<br /><br /> Improve your leadership<br /> Deepen your spirituality<br /> Make the Sunday to Monday connection for every member<br /> Meet new colleagues<br /><br />Member Mission Leadership Institute<br />October 6-11, 2008<br /><br />From this 4-plus day event, starting with dinner on October 6 and ending with breakfast on October 11, you will come away with a wholly new way for your congregation and all of its members to understand mission and what it means to be “on mission.”<br /><br />You will leave better equipped to lead your congregation and its members to embrace more fully what it really means to live as a Christian every day.<br /><br />Spiritual Life Center at Greenwich, New York<br />(45 minutes from the Albany Airport)<br />Registration: $100<br />Up to 50% travel reimbursement<br />Space is limited. Register by September 15, 2008<br /><br /> For information: <a href="http://www.membermission.org/">www.membermission.org</a>, click “Training”<br />or 518-561-1184Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-31914311297794127952008-06-30T07:03:00.000-07:002008-06-30T07:18:34.506-07:00NEW SMALL CHURCH PROGRAM OFFICER ANNOUNCED<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_SLpBQxcr7js/SGjrMUPtzyI/AAAAAAAAAH0/g4Qq_HBaIWc/s1600-h/Bob+Honeychurch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217678765134303010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_SLpBQxcr7js/SGjrMUPtzyI/AAAAAAAAAH0/g4Qq_HBaIWc/s400/Bob+Honeychurch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Dear Blog friends:<br /><br />It is with great joy that I announce that the Rev. Robert (Bob) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Honeychurch</span> has been named as the new Program Officer who will be serving the small church through the Episcopal Church Center.<br /><br />Bob <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Honeychurch</span> currently serves as rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Fremont, California. In addition, he is an Adjunct Instructor in Parish Leadership at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley.<br /><br />Prior to coming to St. James’ in 2001, he and his wife, the Rev. Sylvia Sweeney, served as co-rectors of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho from 1992-2001. During that time he also served for two years as a Regional Missioner for the Diocese of Idaho, serving with the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. He also served twice as an interim pastor at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls.<br /><br />A native of Montana, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Honeychurch</span> began his ordained ministry in 1984. He served as co-vicar of two mission churches in the Diocese of Montana – St. Luke’s in Libby, and Holy Trinity in Troy – from 1984 to 1992.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Honeychurch</span> received a B.S. degree in Education from Montana State University in 1979, an M.Div. from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Seabury</span>-Western Theological Seminary in 1984, and a D.Min in Congregational Development from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Seabury</span>-Western in 1999.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Honeychurch</span> will begin his ministry at the Church Center, working out of the Omaha regional office, on September 1, 2008. Part of his portfolio will include administering and posting to this blog. There will therefore be a hiatus in postings, but they will resume in early September. If you have any ideas or suggestions in the meantime, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Honeychurch</span> can be reached at <a href="mailto:bhoneychurch@episcopalchurch.org">bhoneychurch@episcopalchurch.org</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-68466964225168514802008-04-02T09:16:00.000-07:002008-04-02T09:19:28.274-07:00Evangelism Staff Position!STAFF POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT<br /><br />Position: Program Officer: Evangelism and Congregational Life<br /> Evangelism Focus<br /><br />Announcement<br />Date: March 31, 2008<br /><br />Closing Date: May 2, 2008<br /><br />Contact: Delphine de Ternay, Human Resource Generalist<br />_______________________________________________________________________<br /><br /><br />The Center for Evangelism and Congregational Life groups together those activities that support dioceses, organizations and congregations to effect Church growth and vitality. The purpose of this work is to further God’s mission by serving and equipping the people of the Episcopal Church.<br /><br /><br />ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.<br /><br />With in the Center, the Program Officer focusing on Evangelism is responsible for serving and equipping Episcopal dioceses and congregations as they seek to proclaim Jesus’ message of reconciling love in today’s rapidly changing social context. An approach that includes assisting current Episcopalians to become aware of how God is acting in their lives and equipping them with the ability and desire to articulate this experience is crucial.<br /><br />The position includes the development of resources, creating and maintaining web sites, planning and implementing trainings and conferences, and speaking at Diocesan and Provincial events. Building collaborative working relationships with existing networks, groups, organizations, committees of General Convention and institutions currently focusing on Evangelism, plus facilitating the formation of new networks where needed are priorities.<br /><br />This position is based in New York and travel is estimated at 25%-50%.<br /><br /><br />QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for this position and not necessarily the skills you bring to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.<br /><br /> EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS<br /><br />A Bachelor’s degree and theological education/training (advanced degree preferred)--ordination not necessary<br />Thorough knowledge of the Episcopal Church<br />Willingness/ability to preach at worship services when requested<br />A heartfelt understanding of Evangelism and the ability to articulate that understanding.<br />Willingness to collaborate with colleagues with in and across Christian denominations<br />Effective written, oral and interpersonal skills<br />Computer literacy<br /><br />Preferred Job Requirements:<br />Experience in program development<br />Bilingual Spanish-English preferred but not mandatory<br /><br /><br />To apply, submit a cover letter with salary requirements and a resume to eccjobs@episcopalchurch.org and indicate in the subject line “Staff Officer: Publications & Communications”.<br />Please, no telephone inquiries. Qualified applicants will be contacted.<br /><br />Salary is commensurate with experience and provides a generous benefits package. Episcopal Church Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks applications from members of protected groups.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-74826730875873235782008-03-18T13:01:00.000-07:002008-03-18T13:02:16.319-07:00Position Open!STAFF POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT<br /><br /><br />Position: ASSOCIATE PROGRAM OFFICER FOR SMALL AND SPECIALIZED CONGREGATIONS (CENTER FOR EVANGELISM & CONGREGATIONAL LIFE)<br /><br />Announcement<br />Date: March 19, 2008<br /><br />Closing Date: April 18, 2008<br /><br />Contact: Vivian Harrison, Human Resources Manager<br /> <br /><br />The Center for Evangelism and Congregational Life groups together those activities that support dioceses, organizations and congregations to effect Church growth and vitality. The purpose of this work is to further God’s mission by serving and equipping the people of the Episcopal Church.<br /><br />Within the Center, the Associate Program Officer focusing on Small and Specialized Congregations is responsible for serving and equipping congregations and worshipping communities that are small (those with an Average Sunday Attendance of 70 or less), specialized with regards to setting (including urban and rural settings) and structure (including total/local collaborative ministry, clusters, mergers, and emerging communities.)<br /><br /><br />Essential responsibilities: The development of resources for these congregations, creating and maintaining web sites, planning and implementing trainings and conferences, and speaking at Diocesan and Provincial events. Priorities include engaging in building collaborative working relationships with existing networks, groups, organizations, committees of General Convention and institutions currently serving small and specialized congregations; and facilitating the formation of new networks where needed.<br /><br />Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree and theological education/training (advanced degree preferred); thorough knowledge of the Episcopal Church; an ability to articulate a thorough understanding of Evangelism; experience in multiple congregations and a contextual understandings of congregational development theory; willingness/ability to preach at worship services when requested; willingness to collaborate with colleagues across denominations; effective written, oral and interpersonal skills; computer literacy. Preferred qualifications: experience in program development; English-Spanish fluency.<br /><br />This position is based in the regional office in Omaha, Nebraska and travel is estimated at 25% - 50%.<br /><br />Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a generous benefits package. EOE, m/f/d/v encouraged to apply.<br /><br />To apply, submit a cover letter with salary requirements, a resume and a list of three professional references to <a href="mailto:eccjobs@episcopalchurch.org">eccjobs@episcopalchurch.org</a> and indicate in the subject line: Associate Program Officer, Small and Specialized Congregations.<br /><br />Please, no telephone inquiries. Qualified applicants will be contacted.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-91792297138590225542008-03-17T14:00:00.000-07:002008-03-17T14:03:49.946-07:00Episcopal Church Center Job PostingsDue to the reorganization and the creation of new jobs at the Episcopal Church Center, there are currently several job <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">openings</span>. Some are up on the site now, some will be posted soon (including the Small and Specialized Congregations position--my previous post which I hope to upload by 3/19), and several more in the future. Some are located in New York, some in Omaha, others in Washington DC, Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles.<br />If you are interested in a new way of serving God in the Episcopal Church, visit <a href="http://episcopalchurch.org/hr.htm">http://episcopalchurch.org/hr.htm</a> for more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">information</span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-11423531910139236782008-03-12T13:03:00.000-07:002008-03-12T13:06:45.424-07:00Easter Sermon from the Archbishop of New ZealandThe Most Rev. David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Moxon</span>, Archbishop of New Zealand, has contributed an Easter sermon for the Sermons That Work series.<br />(See below and at <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_95564_ENG_HTM.htm">http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_95564_ENG_HTM.htm</a> .)<br /><br />Many thanks to Archbishop <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Moxon</span> for generously accepting the invitation to submit a sermon, and to the editor of this site, Sarah Johnson, Deputy for Congregational Development at the Episcopal Church Center, for her creative work.<br /><br />March 23, 2008 - Easter Day - Year A [<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">RCL</span>]<br />By the Most Rev. David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Moxon</span><br />Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts: 10 34-43; Matthew 28: 1-10 The arrest, trial, torture, and crucifixion of Jesus occupy the largest single incident in any one of the four gospels. This incident has been the most widely depicted of everything in Jesus’ life. Every detail of this grisly process seems to have been carefully recorded by the evangelists. The heart-rending details of the final suffering of the Son of God reveal how deep God’s empathy is for the pain and sin of the world and how far the divine love will go to redeem them. Evil in so many forms – political, religious, psychological, and spiritual – poured itself out completely in this event. Yet all these forces exhausted themselves without finally exhausting the faith, hope, and love of God in what happened. In a way, the forces of evil, as powerful as they are, were finally put in their place, exposed as ultimately unreal, and finally overcome in resurrection. The resurrection is the place in human history where evil, injustice, and prejudice are transfigured into justice, goodness, and enlightenment.<br />However, the details of the resurrection itself are not recorded in Matthew’s account, neither is there an attempt to record them in the other three gospels. What we have are various accounts of the results and fruits of the resurrection, but not any attempt to describe how it happened. This is because no one was present. No one could have anticipated it; the event itself <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">didn</span>’t fit into any of the known categories of knowledge or understanding.<br />What we have is an event without comparison. You can understand something scientifically today only if you can compare it with something else or with some sort of pattern that already exists. With the resurrection this is not possible: we have an utterly unique, mind-blowing, heart-changing, spirit-restoring mystery of God. The resurrection cannot finally be assessed by human method.<br />However, various attempts have been made to explain what happened. Here are four of the most common explanations.<br />It has been suggested that Jesus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">didn</span>’t really die; instead, he recovered in the tomb, rolled the stone away, and walked out. But this does not square with the known facts we have about the way he died. The Romans knew how to kill people, particularly politically prominent people. A spear was used to impale Christ’s side to make death certain.<br />Another version of the above explanation is that Christ was offered a highly sedative drug, mixed in the wine that was presented to his lips on a sponge. There were drugs in the Middle East capable of this effect and would have given the impression of death for a time. However, even if this were the case, the use of the spear, preceded by many lashings, would have made him unable to remove the stone or to recover within three days.<br />It has been suggested that the disciples were lying about the resurrection appearances. This is most unlikely, given that the disciples were not expecting an immediate resurrection in the first place, and they themselves were prepared to meet similar deaths for the Risen Christ in the years that followed. Whatever else the disciples were, they show remarkable courage and integrity. Why spend the whole of your life on something you knew to be untrue? This is how Luke, that careful recorder, summarizes their position in today’s reading from Acts:<br />“We are witnesses of everything that he did in the land of Israel and in Jerusalem. Then they put him to death by nailing him to a cross. But God raised him from death three days later and caused him to appear, not to everyone, but only to the witnesses that God had already chosen.”<br />The fourth suggested theory is that the resurrection appearances were grief-induced hallucinations. It is true that some people in deep grief do have a sense of the deceased loved one being present. However, this sense fades over time, whereas experiences of the Risen Christ remain tangible and widespread. Further, hallucinations produced by grief have never resulted in anything like the Christian mission in the world. With the resurrection, there seems to be something much more world-changing and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">transformative</span> going on.<br />So what are we left with? None of the above explanations are convincing. In fact, there is no proof either way, in the scientific sense, for or against the resurrection of Christ. In the end, a belief in Easter is a decision of the mind and the heart. It is a choice. You can believe the witnesses who say that something remarkable occurred that has gone on recreating the world ever since by the triumph of life over death, of love over hate, of light over darkness. Or you can believe that the witnesses were mistaken and that life and death, love and hate, light and darkness are evenly matched and that there is no ultimate power for good that is stronger than death.<br />In the end it is very simple: you either choose to have faith, or you don’t. But the decision you make about Easter will profoundly affect the way you live and other choices you make for the rest of your life. I choose to walk in an Easter light and to live by an Easter faith because I know it brings abundant life and makes intuitive sense even in the middle of death, hatred, and darkness.<br />The movie “The Body” is a drama about archaeologist who discovers what he believes to be the bones of Jesus in Jerusalem. For much of the story the evidence builds toward a belief that this probably is the body of Jesus and that the idea of resurrection is unreal. At the end of the film, however, it becomes clear that the bones are not those of Jesus. Early in the story, a Jesuit delegate from the Vatican who was sent to investigate the issue says, when thinking about the meaning and reality of the risen Christ:<br />“I believe that Jesus Christ is God because I spoke to Him this morning in my prayers. And I've known that He was God since I was a boy. He has always been my best friend even though I haven't always been His. In Him, I have peace.”<br />But how do we speak with the Risen Christ? Through sharing in his banquet where he is present in a communion of bread and wine; by breathing in his Spirit in contemplative prayer; by reading and hearing his thoughts, parables, and visions in the gospels. Christ becomes living bread, life-giving breath, and living word in these ways.<br />Because the New Testament does not try to explain the mechanics of the Resurrection, neither do we: it cannot be explained. We can only stand under its grace and let it understand us as an unrepeatable miracle of love. Love is its only meaning because love is the only survivor, because God is love all the way through. The only people to whom the Risen Christ appeared were people who loved him – as Luke says, “to the witnesses that God had already chosen.”<br />The Resurrection, therefore, is made visible and possible for those who experienced it because of the love that was in them, because God is love and because God loved the world so much that he gave Christ to these people in a new and living way. With them, if you believe that love is stronger than death, then you can believe in Easter. We see this in a passage from the book With Roots and Wings by Jay McDaniel, as he describes Thomas Merton’s view of resurrection:<br />“Christianity may or may not make sense to you, the reader, but perhaps resurrection can make sense. It is a process of being reborn, moment-to-moment, in a freedom that is wise in its sensitivity to the interconnectedness of all things, compassionate in its empathy for all living beings, and centred in the very mystery of God. We understand resurrection when we taste a freedom and freshness that lies in the very depths of our lives. From my perspective as a Christian, this freedom and freshness is the living Christ, the resurrected One. ‘He’ does not have a body that is located in space and time. ‘He’ is more like the wind, or our own breathing, or the sky. The resurrected One is the very freshness of God, the very freedom of Holy Wisdom, as a centre that is within us and beyond us, ever-present yet ever-new. There is a freshness and freedom in the very centre of things. In this freshness and freedom, we find our roots and wings.”<br />Christ did not raise himself from the death-dealing hatred that killed him; God raised Christ by divine love, in and through the heart love of the disciples, so that the Spirit of God that raised Jesus from death may be divine love alive in us. By this amazing grace we can say:<br />“I believe that Jesus Christ is God because I spoke to Him this morning in my prayers. And I've known that He was God since I was a boy. He has always been my best friend even though I haven't always been His. In Him, I have peace.”<br />-- Archbishop David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Moxon</span> is the Anglican Archbishop of the seven New Zealand dioceses of the Anglican Church in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Aoteoroa</span>, New Zealand, and Polynesia. This co-presiding role is shared with the Archbishop of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Aotearoa</span> and the Archbishop of Polynesia. Archbishop David is also the Diocesan Bishop of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Waikato</span>, a diocese that occupies a third of the North Island of New Zealand, a position he has held since 1993.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-17014425261813776032008-02-26T07:21:00.001-08:002008-02-26T07:22:27.199-08:00Update on ordering from AbingdonFrom Linda Brindle:<br /><br /><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Abingdon</span> is a wholesaler, and does not sell directly to churches or individuals. Maybe you could add a note to your blog telling customers that they will need to order the books from a local Christian bookstore or on line bookstore. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cokesbury</span>.com, Amazon.com, or purchase from the Episcopal bookstore at 815 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nd</span> ave.<br /><br />Hope this helps!<br /><br />Linda J. Brindle<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Abingdon</span> Press<br />Northeast Area Sales Representative<br /></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-925822553656370862008-02-19T06:06:00.000-08:002008-02-19T06:07:32.283-08:00New Books for Small Membership CongregationsMinistry in the Small Membership Church: A Book Series Offered by Abingdon Press<br /><br />Returning to the office this morning there was a catalog and note from Linda Brindle of Abingdon Press highlighting the book series focusing on ministry in the small membership church.<br /><br />The current offerings are as follows:<br /><br />Worshiping in the Small Membership Church (Robin Knowles Wallace)<br /><br />Christian Education in the Small Membership Church (Karen B. Tye)<br /><br />Administration in the Small Membership Church (John H. Tyson)<br /><br />Spiritual Leadership in the Small Membership Church (David Canada)<br /><br />Pastoral Care in the Small Membership Church (James L. Killen, Jr)<br /><br />Evangelism in the Small Membership Church (Royal Speidel)<br /><br />For more information visit <a href="http://www.abingdonpress.com/">www.AbingdonPress.com</a> or call 1.800.251.3320<br /><br />If you would like to offer a review or a comment on one of these books, please click on the comments link below and post your impression. You may do so anonymously.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31715116.post-58411080838323706522008-02-12T19:37:00.000-08:002008-02-12T19:56:10.516-08:00Quito!!!<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_SLpBQxcr7js/R7Jmbv6K8NI/AAAAAAAAAHs/k9FngvaCO-M/s1600-h/quito_ecuador_picture_b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166304349450334418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_SLpBQxcr7js/R7Jmbv6K8NI/AAAAAAAAAHs/k9FngvaCO-M/s400/quito_ecuador_picture_b.jpg" border="0" /></a> Greetings from Quito!<br /><br />Your small church pal is here on her first official meeting with the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. Why Quito you might ask? Because Quito is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Ecuador, one of dioceses located outside the 50 United States. We are indeed an international church, and it has been an enormous privaledge to learn about the ministry and mission of our (small) church brothers and sisters in Christ in this beautiful part of the world.<br /><br />(For example, today we travelled to different parts of the diocese to work and/or visit various sites. My group toured a primary school that stole my heart--teachers paid the minimum--$200 per month--overseeing 2-3 grades, and parents spending a huge percentage of their income to afford the $56 per month tuition to give their children the gift of a quality education. It is clear that supplies are very limited, yet it is also clear that the teachers understand their work as their ministry. I'm so moved by the entire situation that I can't help but want to help, maybe by trying to find a companion school in the US that could help with used back packs and supplies, or ???)<br /><br />Obviously my new position is taking heaps of time, but I very much would like to keep the blog fresh and informative. During the search period for a new small church staff person who I envision eventually adminstering this blog, I would very much appreciate hearing about any small church stories or resources you wish to share. Simply send by email, and I will credit you in the posting if you wish. And I'll continue to post what I come across on a weekly (probably Tuesdays) basis.<br /><br />Blessings, and adios :-)<br /><br />SuzanneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2