New Around the Mission
October 15, 2010
Growing Deep and Wide through theAM Networks
Special Report by Bishop Doc Loomis
The Heart of North America Regional Network (HONA) met for its first annual Fall Reunion in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 17-18, 2010. The idea to host regional gatherings with the design of a mini-winter conference was first presented by Bishop Chuck Murphy, Chairman of the Anglican Mission. Bishop Murphy’s plan was to offer the best of theAM’s staff and resources to make possible events that would encourage and strengthen Mission Networks for kingdom work. The Mission’s assistance would make it possible to design a significant yet low-cost event. In a pre-event conversation with leaders in the Great Lakes HONA region Bishop Murphy said, “I believe it is crucial for our Networks to come together and share the vision of the Anglican Mission. Our Networks provide the communities in which our leadership and congregational alliances take shape and flourish.”
The HONA Reunion event was hosted by Heartland Community Church and drew about 150 clergy and key lay leaders from 11 states who enthusiastically engaged in a series of teachings designed around the theme: Building Foundations, Putting Down Roots.
“The growth of this region (now 30 congregations) is very exciting”, said HONA bishop Doc Loomis, “and while exponential growth can be good, our Network Leaders all felt that we were not doing enough to encourage depth in our existing parishes. As we began planning this reunion event, we sat down with our network strategist and asked ourselves some tough questions about what we were doing to secure the fruit of our regional church-planting labors. It wasn’t simply numerical depth that seemed to be missing in HONA – the team was concerned about deepening our parish roots in the areas of discipleship, communications, stewardship, clergy care, leadership development and worship. What emerged from these leadership conversations was a vision for future growth based on laying out building blocks in key depth-focused areas. We concluded that the upcoming Reunion would be a perfect time to do that,” Loomis concluded.
With only two-days to cover so much ground, the presentations would need to be highly focused, yet engaging. TheAM made it possible for the Director of Worship Development Andy Piercy to be part of the Reunion. Andy led a 2-day master’s class for over 20 worship leaders and musicians concurrently with the other plenary sessions. Andy’s teaching refocused and reenergized these leaders in powerful ways. Meanwhile, in the big room, Bishop Thad Barnum took the podium mid-day Friday with a compelling presentation on discipleship. The region is embracing the Barnum’s Call2Disciple program and for many, this was their first exposure to C2D.
“We want our Christians to be mature in faith so they can be effective in His call on their lives for service,” Said Barnum. “We want those mature in the Christian faith discipling those who are younger.”
Acton Beard, an AM clergy counselor and Director of Chosen, Partners in the Harvest, spent two sessions with clergy spouses sharing the fundamentals of this exciting new retreat-based program for women married to clergy. Acton emphasized the unique role each spouse has been chosen to fill in the life and ministry of her husband.
Andy Piercy filled the big room with music Friday night as worship began. A thirty minute worship set was followed by the main event Eucharist presided over by St. Michael Network Leader Tom Tirman with a message from the HONA bishop who cast the vision for a deeper regional network. The Holy Spirit blessed this time of worship in a special way and brought great joy to all in attendance.
Saturday was filled to overflowing with exciting and informative sessions. Neil Orchard of Rivertree Stewardship provided one of the most talked-about sessions of the day as he brought the attendees into line with the theological basics of stewardship through this proprietary program called Linear Giving. Web designer and new HONA church planter Gregg Lynn offered a short course in effective parish communication and presented the region with several template website designs and hosting packages available to any parish.
Psychologist and HONA clergy member, the Rev. Dr. Sherry Adams of Gainesville, Florida, introduced the new Sanctuary Program with the help of counselor Rob Rubinow. Sanctuary is HONA’s clergy care model designed to “assess and fireproof” clergy especially in areas of stress and temptation. Sanctuary also provides a safe place for clergy to go if or when a personal issue arises.
Two of HONA’s Network Leaders along with team members who recently visited Rwanda told a powerful story of the church there and suggested ways that our HONA parishes might develop sister relationships with Rwandan parishes. Canon Pete Matthews, River of Life Network, and the Rev. Allen Kannapell, Lighthouse Network, painted an inspiring picture of life and ministry in Rwanda.
A 2011 Fall Reunion is being planned for an even larger event open to all clergy and laity in the Heart of North America.
Posted By: Bishop Doc Loomis
Categories: Recent News
