Leaders from AMiA Mission Networks and emerging networks met in Pawleys Island, SC as part of strategic mission development that has been in process over the last several years. As a result, an important step was taken that will significantly strengthen church planting efforts in the AMiA, and set a pattern that may prove helpful to other groups planting churches in the Anglican tradition.

Over 30 leaders from the United States and Canada enthusiastically embraced a new Mission Network Manual, following a day of discussion and input. The manual sets out parameters and guidelines for the emergence and releasing of missionary networks that will strengthen existing churches and plant new congregations. Development of the guidelines has been in process for some time, as leaders from the various networks have gathered annually for the past several years and participated in ongoing dialogue. The process has also received significant input from other leaders across the Anglican Mission in The Americas and the Anglican Coalition in Canada.

“We’ve committed ourselves to something radically different than what many of us grew up with,” reflected Bishop TJ Johnston, who has been an important champion of the Mission Network concept. “The Anglican Mission and the Province of Rwanda are entrusting tremendous responsibility onto the shoulders of the network leaders.”

The Rev. Paul Briggs serves as Chief Operating Officer for the Anglican Mission, and has been traveling to the various networks over the last several months, strengthening understanding and coordinating strategies. “I’m greatly encouraged by this important decision, which draws upon the best practices gleaned from six years of work in our churches and networks. These guidelines reflectthe heart of the Anglican Mission to live in faithful response to the Holy Spirit, rather than flawed strategies that have stifled innovation and creativity,” according to Briggs.

The commitment to mission networks, rather than settled geographic dioceses, takes its inspiration from the history of missionary work in the church and melds it with the latest approaches to church planting and mission work. The mission networks are charged with raising up leaders and planting churches in the best ways they can, adapting to local situations within the guidelines of the new manual.

“This is the result of a ‘long obedience in the same direction’ as we have been working over the last several years to clarify the work, the role and the structure of networks,” stated the Rt. Rev. Chuck Murphy, Chairman of the Anglican Mission. “We’re celebrating the consensus that has been reached.”

Several items that relate to network leaders still have to be hammered out, but the overall thrust and shape of the manual received strong support from the leaders who are already working with networks in various locations in North America. One of them was pleased to receive the guidelines, saying that it’s not ‘outside the box’, it’s ‘beyond the box’ in how it deals with mission resourcing and authority.

The Anglican Mission in The Americas is a missionary outreach of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, reaching out to the un-churched in North America. Nearing 100 congregations, the AMiA plants a new church every three weeks. For more information on the Anglican Mission and its networks of churches contact the Rev. Paul Briggs, Chief Operating Officer, at 843-237-0318.

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