New Around the Mission

August 16, 2010

Bishop Philip Jones Turns to Church Planting

In a letter to his congregation in early August, Bishop Philip Jones announced he will be stepping down as Rector of St. Andrews, Little Rock, Arkansas, in order to plant a congregation in the heart of Dallas, Texas.

Philip and Claudia Jones

A core group who lives in the Park Cities area, many of whom have attended Christ Church Plano (CCP), has long dreamed of beginning a new work in the Dallas city limits. Bishop Jones describes these individuals as having the “same heart and passion as the group that started St. Andrew's Church 14 years ago.” The group issued a unanimous call to Bishop Jones which he accepted with great anticipation.

“They have asked for our help to lead them,” says Bishop Jones. “It is clear God is calling me to be their founding senior pastor. Having grown up in Dallas, I never believed I would be moving back for any reason, much less to plant a church. Claudia [a native Texan] and I have never planted a church, but the call is upon us. We must obey that call.”

CCP Rector Canon David Roseberry and Canon Ron McCrary have provided guidance and assistance in making this dream a reality. In its 25 year history, CCP has sent church planters into the mission field to begin new congregations in Allen, Frisco and Addison, and Canon Roseberry envisions the birth of even more new congregations and communities of faith. He has expressed enthusiasm for this “exciting call” for Bishop Jones, describing it as a “natural” for this “great bishop of the Anglican Church.”

Bishop Jones has served as Rector at St. Andrew's since 2005, and he will continue to provide oversight to the congregation as their Bishop. He asks that you pray for St. Andrew’s and the emerging church in Dallas.

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Archived News