BY ROBERT H. LUNDY, EDITOR
|
|
|
A parish’s vestry and rector meet during the Anglican Diocese of the South Sure Foundation program. |
"I have gone from being overwhelmed to inspired." That is how Juanita Barry of Christ the King Anglican Church in Winchester, Tenn., described the American Anglican Council's Sure Foundation program. "This is, for me, fantastic information in how to do ministry. I came into this program with the big question of ‘How do we do discipling for Christ?' We must read, mark and inwardly digest over and over again. There is so much to absorb-to act upon-to put in play-to get our minds around." Barry, along with 91 other parish leaders in the Anglican Diocese of the South (ADOTS), took part in the January inaugural meetings of the Sure Foundation Program in Atlanta, Ga. and Winchester, Tenn. Representatives of 11 parishes met and heard presentations on church vision, discipleship, evangelism, leadership and more. The representatives also had time to ask questions and discuss current issues their parish is facing. Partnering with Acts 29 Ministries, the AAC is offering this program as a way to help churches grow in spirit and number.
“Acts 29 Ministries and the AAC are working together to bring solid, up-to-date, practical training to small to midsized congregations that want to see their ministry go to the next level,” said the Rev. Alan Hansen, President of Acts 29 Ministries and one of the speakers for Sure Foundation. “Our goal is to have each congregation form a strategic growth plan that will help guide them in the next phase of their ministry. We also want each church to establish a missional DNA that is every member based, spirit-filled, biblically-driven and outwardly focused.”
The program is offered to groups of churches (eight to ten) from a diocese or regional area and is tailored to meet their specific needs. Leadership teams meet together with the Rev. Canon Phil Ashey, chief operating and development officer of the American Anglican Council, and Hansen eight times over a period of 18 months. Six extensive two-day training sessions are followed by two one-on-one consulting sessions for each leadership team. If you are interested in participating in a Sure Foundation program, contact the AAC at surefoundation@americananglican.org.
 |
| A time of worship and praise during the first ADOTS Sure Foundation meeting. |
Special Opportunity
If you or your parish leadership would like to take part in the Sure Foundation program but can’t get enough congregations to join you, there is a special opportunity available.Nashotah House Seminary will host the Sure Foundation program in a week-long intensive training session, June 26-30, 2011. Individuals or entire parish leadership teams can take part in this session which can also count for academic credit. You can find more information on this special opportunity at www.AmericanAnglican.org/SureFoundation. †