The first course in the new AMiA Anglican Studies Program convened in July with 20 students gathered at Church of the Messiah near Atlanta. Held from July 12-16, the inaugural session—Anglican Theology of the Word—was an extraordinary success, according to the Rev. Dan Claire, Executive Director of the Office of Leadership Development in the Anglican Mission in The Americas. “Dr. Joe Murphy is to be congratulated on a superb first course in our new Anglican Studies Program,” observed Dan Claire. “He has been preparing for months for this week together, and the fruit of his efforts is clearly evident. As a result, every student came away with a profound appreciation for our rich doctrinal heritage as Anglicans. This is a godly foundation for our work as missionaries to North America. Thanks be to God!"

The Rev. Dr. Joseph Murphy coordinated the class and gave lectures on the Bible as the foundation of our knowledge and the basis of authority as Anglicans.
Dr. Murphy thrives in the classroom and is appreciated by the students because of his patience and his pastor's heart.
Other areas of instruction included the early church councils and the creeds, taught by the Rev. Dr. Rob Sanders, who used these foundational documents as a lens for discussing the resurgence of ancient heresy in churches today. The Rev. Mark Rudolph taught on how to lead churches that are faithful to the Word. Father Rudolph has over twenty years experience pastoring churches in rural, urban, and cross-cultural contexts.


A highlight of the week was teaching on the 39 Articles offered by The Rev. Roger Salter, Rector of St. Matthew’s Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Students reported that it was the most pastoral and winsome presentation of doctrine ever encountered. Centered at Church of the Messiah, the week also included morning devotionals led by the Rev. Fred Goodwin, Pastor of Messiah, and a Eucharist on Wednesday evening. “This helped keep the studies of the week rooted in worship and prayer, reflected Rev. Claire. “This is our identity as Anglicans--Word and sacrament. It is a biblical and Godly way to learn.” The July course was the first of six to be offered in the program aimed at enriching the knowledge and practice of Anglican ministry, especially for those in ordained and lay leadership who have not had a background in Anglican studies. Students for the initial course were drawn from experienced pastors, seminary students and active lay leaders in the Church, both inside and outside the Anglican Mission. Participants were effusive in their praise of this first course. As one student offered, “The course has been highly enriching. The professors were engaged and engaging. They all imparted concepts with excellent effectiveness. The best aspect beyond the knowledge gained was the importation of Christ-like spirit the professors modeled and deposited with us."

The lectures were professionally recorded, and will eventually enable the Office of Leadership Development to offer the six-course series to a much larger audience.

The next course, Anglican Theology of Sacrament, convenes at Church of the Messiah August 9-13. Teachers will include the Rev. Dr. Joseph Murphy, Bishop FitzSimons Allison, Peter Leithart, the Rev. Roger Salter, the Rev. Dan Claire and Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda. Future courses will taught in other geographic areas of the United States, and will deal with topics such as history, polity, and even crises in Anglicanism.

For more information on the Anglican Studies Program of the Anglican Mission, visit the web pages of the Office of Leadership Development, or contact their office in Washington DC at 866.830.2642, or by email at leadership@anglicanmissioninamerica.org

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