Past Conferences
Winter Conference 2009 Follow Up
Below are the highlights from our gathering in Greensboro, North Carolina, January 28-31, 2009.
View Winter Conference 2009 Plenary Videos Now
Watch this 6-minute video from the Spotlight on Local Mission Film Festival, created by St. Andrews in Little Rock, AR, retelling the incredible story of this congregation.
ORDER DVDs or AUDIO CDs of all Winter Conference Session Now
Click here to view the photo gallery from staff photographer, Quigg Lawrence.
Opening Worship for Ninth Annual Winter Conference
Despite weather delays for many traveling across the country to Greensboro, NC for the ninth annual Anglican Mission Winter Conference, over 1,400 people including 160 clergy gathered to worship the Lord Jesus in the opening service held Wednesday evening, January 28, 2009.
A focal point of the conference, this year’s opening service was a joyful celebration of God’s presence and power in the midst of worship led by Andy Piercy and a team from across the Mission.
In his sermon, Bishop Chuck Murphy, Anglican Mission Chairman, focused on John 15, calling the crowd to abide in Christ in the midst of challenging and changing times.
“With a veritable supermarket of ideas and beliefs today, there is no better time for mission,” charged Murphy.
Referencing a popular work of fiction, The Shack, he noted that the book has sold over three million copies and is an allegory communicating that God loves you. Bishop Murphy linked this important message to the fact that “people are dying to hear assurances of God’s love,” emphasizing that this is the message that the Anglican Mission celebrates and proclaims.
Pointing out that Jesus uses the imagery of the vine repeatedly, Bishop Murphy encouraged listeners to “connect with a loving God that cares for us…real life comes from connection with Jesus.” He also observed that engaging the mind is essential for abiding in Christ.
“Our connection with God is not about trying harder; it is about making a decision for Christ – to be in a relationship with Him, to pray, and to express our faith in worship,” he said.
The opening ceremony set the stage and stirred hearts to anticipate what God would do during Winter Conference 2009.
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The Chairman’s Address
Bishop Chuck Murphy kicked off festivities for the second day of Winter Conference with his traditional Chairman’s Address. He underscored the Anglican Mission’s purpose, highlighted mission and ministry over the last year and cast a vision for the movement as we look forward in 2009.
Speaking on the 9th anniversary of his consecration in Singapore (January 29, 2000), Bishop Murphy noted the dramatic changes that have taken place since.
“We were growing out on a limb then, and God used that moment nine years ago as the beginning of a movement that is now developing across North America,” Bishop Murphy declared.
He also emphasized the Anglican Mission’s clear focus and primary call to evangelism through church planting and breaking into new territory as an outreach of the Province of Rwanda. Continuing to add a new church every three weeks since its formation, the Anglican Mission now has 143 existing churches with another 45 in process.
Looking to the future, Bishop Murphy exhorted participants to remain focused and faithful in forward motion. He noted the need to identify new leaders, additional funding sources and fresh ministry opportunities while underscoring the Anglican Mission’s commitment to reach a younger generation and break into urban areas such as New York City and Boston, two projects already underway. He also announced a new initiative to plant dozens of churches in the western United States.
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The Gospel of the Kingdom as a Basis for Evangelistic Church Planting
The Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter, 2009 Winter Conference plenary speaker, began his ministry 30 years ago as a church planter with Vineyard Ministries. Now, he is bringing that experience to the Anglican Mission with immediate plans for numerous church plants in the Western part of the United States.
Todd began his presentation pointing out that all approaches to evangelism are contextual and that we find ourselves in a rapidly changing post-modern context with major push-back from society toward religion in general and Christianity in particular.
“We are not growing out on a limb as a strategy,” Todd argued. “We are growing out on a limb because God exists at the end of that limb.”
Reminding participants that God has always been at work in solidarity with the world, doing what He saw the Father doing and hanging out with broken people, Todd encouraged listeners to remember that the Kingdom of God is a secular reality.
Many believers view the modern world as the Christian era and the post-modern world as evil. Todd believes that those of the post-modern era are “confused by contradictory messages they have received from the Church”.
“We cannot sustain a church planting movement with a Gospel based on a secure eternity,” Todd declared. “Heaven is a destination, not a goal. The goal is transformation into Christ’s likeness.”
Todd encouraged the gathering to begin with Christology or getting people to think about God, and then missiology and ecclesiology in solidarity with God.
“We catch fish on their terms, not ours,” Todd said. “It is ineffective to start with tradition and work your way out.”
Confident that God is not stumped by this “post-modern thing we find ourselves in,” Todd is enthusiastic about planting churches on the West Coast – to connect with the broken and the lost where the spirit of God is…out on the limb.
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Maintaining Relevance in Order to Reach the Next Generation
The common thread of relevance in a post-modern world was woven through different messages presented by plenary speakers at Winter Conference 2009. Margaret Feinberg, author and speaker, successfully connected the practical to the spiritual as she shared a genuine expression of love for “twenty and thirtysomethings,” while Mark Russell, Chief Executive of Church Army, encouraged listeners to be participants in changing the way church is perceived in our culture.
Margaret noted that in a world where “people have larger houses, get married later, build friendships through technology like Facebook and My Space and find a church through the Yellow Pages it is obvious that our life script has changed.”
“Unfortunately, the church is struggling to keep up,” she said.
Margaret outlined what characterizes the people of the next generation, describing men and women between the ages of 22 and 28 as “having a college education, saddled down in debt, stressed out, deeply lonely and incredibly generous.”
“This generation is largely born on roller skates,” quipped Margaret, “and when empowered to do something in a team atmosphere, they hold each other accountable, get the job done and often value relationship above financial gain.”
Mark encouraged attendees to re-imagine what church looks like, noting that most of our efforts rely on doing things that attract people into the Church while there is a whole population that will never go into a church.
“The culture of Christendom that we have lived in is no longer the address where God wants His Church to reside,” Mark declared. “He wants us to be where the people are.”
He reminded the gathering that Jesus called us to go into Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Just as Paul went to Asia Minor, Ephesus and the like, Mark challenged participants to see themselves as missionaries going out to meet the people where they are.
Margaret reported that only 25% of the 39 million people identifying themselves as Christians are in church on Sunday. “They like Jesus but not Church, and make no mistake, you are creating a portal for them to reengage with Christ.”
While it can take up to three years of listening to the Lord with one ear and to the culture with the other, Mark is realistic that it takes equal doses of time and hard work in this journey of church planting to reach the lost.
“We do mission because we believe that everyone needs to know the saving good news of Jesus Christ and be set free,” Mark said, “and so let us inspire each other to be friends of Jesus and co-conspirators with Him to transform the world to raise up disciples, not just converts.”
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Fishers of Men
Winter Conference attendees heard messages from clergy around the Mission that focused on becoming alert and deliberate in our efforts as fishers of men, to reach the lost for Jesus Christ.
The Rt. Rev. Thaddeus Barnum, author of Never Silent, the history of the Anglican Mission, led each morning with fervent Bible study from the book of Colossians, noting that “it is the finest church planting manual we have”. Barnum’s passionate delivery of Paul’s account of the Gospel fire that spread throughout Asia is relevant today, as the Anglican Mission centers on introducing the 130 million unchurched in North America to Jesus Christ.
“As Epaphras is, so we are – sent out with blazing fire of the Gospel within us” declared Barnum, “we will never be able to exhaust the wonders and splendors of who He is and what He has done for us.”
The Rev. Canon David Roseberry of Christ Church in Plano, Texas, candidly told the gathering that his own flock had “stopped fishing” and how new changes were being made to go back to what God had called them to do at their beginning, with Jesus at the center of their story.
“Maybe the fish are right outside your church,” shared Roseberry, “and when they come in they will ask a single question – ‘Are you serious about what you believe?’.”
The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler of New Grace Church in Orange Park, Florida, recounted his own spiritual journey, summing it up by stating that a “Mission has to be filled with missionaries who desire to catch fish” while encouraging listeners “to learn to be discipling missionaries wherever they live”.
“It is about the knowledge of God covering the earth like the waters cover the sea,” declared Shuler.
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The Anglican Mission: Growing Out on a Limb
The Anglican Mission’s Winter Conference 2009, held January 28-31 in Greensboro, NC, was highlighted by powerful worship, challenging teaching and dynamic fellowship, all within an ancient-future context. The gathering drew 1242 registered participants representing 35 states and seven countries, and over 1400 worshippers attended the opening service on Wednesday, January 28. The Anglican Mission’s Council of Bishops and clergy were joined by Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, retired Archbishops Moses Tay and Yong Ping Chung and Bishops Rucyahana, Bilindabagabo and Gasatura of Rwanda. The emerging Anglican Church in North America was represented by Bishops Robert Duncan, Martyn Minns, David Anderson, Bill Atwood and Don Harvey as well as Archdeacon Charlie Masters.
Based on John 15, this year’s theme, called participants to “Grow Out on a Limb” as the Anglican Mission remains faithful to its call to reach the 130 million unchurched in North America.
The Rt. Rev. Charles H. Murphy, III, Chairman of the Anglican Mission, preached at the opening service, noting that Archbishop Kolini had told him earlier that he felt that the Anglican Mission leadership had transitioned from “children of Rwanda to brothers in mission with Rwandans.” He promised that our “focus will be on Jesus who has called, empowered, graced and sent us into the world – He is the message.”
Bishop Murphy also challenged those gathered to abide in Christ, which involves “using our minds, and not just our hearts and feelings.”
“We have to make up our minds – make a decision for Christ,” he said. In addition, he noted that “prayer and worship are the life-lines drawing and keeping us closer to God, allowing us to abide in Him.”
In his “Chairman’s Address,” Bishop Murphy emphasized the Anglican Mission’s clear focus and primary call to evangelism t hrough church planting and unveiled initiatives planned for 2009 to break into new territory in the western United States and in targeted urban areas including New York City and Boston. He noted consistent growth marked by a dding, on average, one new church every three weeks since the movement’s beginning in 2000, describing it as “a sovereign movement of the Holy Spirit”. The Anglican Mission currently has 143 congregations with 45 more in process.
Other plenary sessions presented by internationally acclaimed speakers included:
- “The Gospel of the Kingdom as a Basis for Evangelistic Church Planting,” by the Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter
- “Next Gen Trend Watch: A Discussion on Understanding and Communicating with This Generation,” by Mrs. Margaret Feinberg;
- “The 153,” by the Rev. Canon David Roseberry;
- “Reaching People Beyond Church Walls,” by Mr. Mark Russell; and
- "A Life Worth Living, A Mission Worth Serving,” by the Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler.
Highlights of the plenary presentation included Todd Hunter’s emphasis on reaching a postmodern culture, not in fear but in expectation; Mark Russell’s call to go whether the younger generation is and Margaret Feinberg’s encouragement to embrace “20-30 somethings” in our congregations.
Bishop Thad Barnum (left) offered a daily Bible study on “The Blazing Fire of the Gospel” focusing on the letter to the Colossians, and Andy Piercy along with a team from across the Anglican Mission, led worship for the conference. The Rev. John Coles of New Wine, UK, presided at the annual healing service, and leaders of the emerging Anglican Church in North America participated in a Special Forum on “The Future of Anglicanism in North America,” moderated by Bishop Terrell Glenn. Six videos produced by Anglican Mission congregations were featured at the first annual Winter Conference Film Festival, “Spotlight on Local Mission.” Recently published books by Bishop Thad Barnum, the Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter, Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini and Archbishop Moses Tay were available at the event, and the authors signed books during conference breaks.
Thirty-one practical and interactive workshops designed to strengthen and enhance gifts, skills and ministries for clergy and laity were offered on Thursday and Friday. Topics included evangelism and contemporary culture, recognizing God’s will and voice, prayer, stewardship worship and prayer in the local congregation, youth ministry, developing leaders, global mission, worship arts, Paul’s ministry manual, identifying your mission field and planting churches in urban settings.
Next year’s Winter Conference, scheduled for January 27-30, 2010 will return to the Greensboro Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center in Greensboro, NC. Mark your calendars now to attend!
