Adding Reality To the Vision

One of the best things about being a follower of Christ is that we have an opportunity to make the ordinary extraordinary. One of my firm beliefs is that many people profess Christianity but lose their impact on the people around them because they hide God's greatness. Are those around you becoming stronger, faithful people because of your influence? Are people growing spiritually because of your impact?

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25 )

The goal of The Missionary Diocese of the Resurrection is to add reality to vision. I wrote in my blog last week, ‘We live in a fallen world; no vision or goal is self perpetuating. It must be nourished in God’s Word, sustained by his Grace, and fanned into flame again and again by the Holy Spirit operating in our lives. God’s glory can be seen in everything we do. That’s Original Anglicanism, that’s what being an Easter People means.’

We are to be in the business of building up and blessing others. The benefit of being Original Anglicans is that people can be refreshed because of our influence.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture as it is a perfect example of my vision for the local as well as the national church. We have to challenge ourselves daily, fanning the flames to keep the fire hot and the coals bright red.

The Protestant Episcopal Church, both locally and nationally, is here to fill an important gap. Original Anglicanism is a church dedicated to the Gospel and the challenges of remaining faithful to that Gospel. That is the value of our denomination. Adding a reality to our vision is also recognizing the need for solid leadership. Communities and denominations whose leadership builds a church on a message of what they are against is not a church that will stand the test of time. Original Anglicanism has always been about building on the message of what we are for, because that is what moves the kingdom forward.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:29-31)

My vision, and it’s a big one, is to start a capital campaign for a pro-cathedral, complete with a pre-school; eventually leading into K through 8 lower school programs. I want to accomplish this in five years. I firmly believe that a solid Christian school within every church we build is the key to securing the future of this denomination. I’m aggressively seeking out those displaced Protestant churchmen who represent a true reformed expression of the faith. Towards this goal, I have a generous $250,000 pledge for 4th quarter of 2011. I want to triple that amount in the same time period. Like I said, it’s a big goal – but one that we believe will further the Kingdom in a powerful way.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6 NIV)

Be a visionary,

Bishop Ian

Taking Stock

It’s been a year since the doors of Resurrection Protestant Episcopal Church were opened. Fr. Frank Castillo and I, a couple of California transplants, decided to plant an Episcopal church in St. Augustine, FL. That’s pretty gutsy given the ongoing turmoil that has embraced much of anything Anglican.

We both felt what was needed wasn’t so much a new continuing church, but an Anglican church that filled a gap. We called it “Original Anglicanism.” We are an “Easter People,” dedicated to the proclamation that without that connection to the Risen Lord there can be no real church.

This past year has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. It has been a roller coaster ride with moments of elation to moments of terror. For me, transitioning from the local to the national level as a Bishop, all the while knowing that as Resurrection goes so goes the Diocese has been challenging. With all of the struggles this church has faced it is important to take stock now and re-focus that vision.

One good rule of thumb when taking stock of any work started for the glory of God is to remember that, “When God brings you to something; he is more than able to bring you through that something.” I like that statement because it is a great reminder that God will never lead us to a place where his grace cannot sustain us.

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)

The prophet, Isaiah, always had the right perspective when he spoke to the people of Israel. Things seemed to be going against them every step of the way. Yet, God in his grace reminded them that if he brings them to something, he is more than faithful, and more than able to bring them successfully through that something.

We have come a long way in a short time. People who share the same vision are joining us locally and nationally, and I am encouraged. I see it in the work of St. Andrews Middleborough MA, under the leadership of Fr. Steven DelSignore, and with the outreach ministry of Deacon Lon Barfield. God has certainly been faithful there.

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." (Isaiah 40:11)

Remember, if He brings us something, He is more than able to bring us successfully through that something! We are taking a big step in our journey as we cast the vision for growth. It will be a time of great joy and purpose, filling that gap and moving forward with God’s grace.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:29-31)

We live in a fallen world; no vision or goal is self perpetuating. It must be nourished in God’s Word, sustained by his Grace, and fanned into flame again and again by the Holy Spirit operating in our lives. God’s glory can be seen in everything we do. That’s Original Anglicanism, that’s what being an Easter People means. Next week, I want to get into the nuts and bolts of that vision.

Be an Original…

Bishop Ian

On Shaky Ground

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29 )

Take a look at the past few years; we have seen that the stock market and real estate market can be shaken. We have also seen that seemingly strong businesses can be shaken. In fact, we have even seen that the strongest countries can be shaken. I would say, and I think you would agree, that this world operates on shaky ground.

The writer to the Hebrews tells us that there is one kingdom that can never be shaken, the kingdom of God. The good news is, through Jesus Christ, we as Christians are members of that very kingdom! The question is, are you a member of that kingdom?

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Self worth is a big issue. We measure it by success at work, school, who we’re married too, our bank accounts, and quite frankly, it’s a trap many of fall into. Don’t get me wrong; money, employment, good grades, and strong marriages are not bad things. But if they are the only thing giving you self worth, then I would guess you’re on shaky ground.

God tells us that he is our helper and protector; he promises to guide and guard us; and he reminds us that he is mightier than anything man can come up with. Think about it, as a Christian you are part of a kingdom that can never be shaken. You also have the God of this universe on your side, and he can never be shaken or defeated.

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32 )

What "shakable" circumstances you have been facing? This lent, take some time to take stock of your life. Is God central in all that you do? If so, then take some time to rejoice that you are part of an amazing kingdom, and that your KING is more than able to give you everything you need to keep you from being shaken! If not… talk to me. I want to share some Bad News and some Good News with you.

Be unshakable…

Bishop Ian

Training Body and Spirit

The Evangelist, Billy Graham, once said, "Unless the soul is fed and exercised daily, it becomes weak and shriveled. It remains discontented, confused, and restless."

I ride a bicycle everyday. I do between 12 and 22 miles depending on my mood (and the weather). As a diabetic, if I don’t exercise it will impact my physical health negatively. If I don’t eat right, it’s even more of a problem. Our spiritual health suffers in the same way. This is why our daily time with the Lord through prayer and reading the scriptures is so important. It's the food and exercise we all need to be healthy and balanced Christians. Be honest, how much have you been feeding and exercising your soul? How healthy are you spiritually?

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)

One of the things I do at the end of my ride is stop at the church and say morning prayer. It helps me focus my day and it’s a good cool down opportunity for me physically as well. I call it my “spiritual work-out room.” One of the great things about being an Anglican is our prayer book. It provides me the opportunity to daily exercise my soul through prayer and the reading of scripture provided in the Morning and Evening prayer sections.

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)

So here we have the Apostle Paul telling Timothy that physical training is valuable. Hmm, maybe Timothy was a jogger. Anyway, as Christians, the Spirit of God lives in us and our bodies are actually the temples of the living God. Obviously, we need to train our bodies with healthy exercise and healthy eating. However, Paul says that spiritual training is of even greater value. Therefore, we need to feed and exercise our souls in such a way that we have joyful and healthy hearts. You can’t be joyful without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:10-12)

Do you have a "spiritual work-out room" where you spend time feeding and exercising your soul? Remember, that which you don't exercise regularly usually ends up shriveling and getting weak. Or, as Billy Graham said, "Your spiritual life becomes restless, discontented and confused.”

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

Be in Training,,

Bishop Ian

The Truth of the Matter

We are all faced with choices. Look down the isles in the supermarket or the abundance of stores at the mall. And then we also have really big choices in life such as whether we speak the truth or tell lies. In other words, we have the choice to be a faithful witness or a false witness.

"A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies." (Proverbs 14:5)

I was recently asked to sit on a radio panel to discuss the homeless situation here in St. Johns County. I was asked to participate not as a “Christian or Bishop” but as an advocate. This individual felt he wanted to keep religion out of the conversation. I declined the offer, stating that I could no more separate myself from who I was and who I represent than he could. You see, he started the conversation telling me he was an atheist.

As Christians, what we say and how we act can be a powerful witness for the glory of Christ. People are looking for someone they can trust, someone who represents truth. Being truthful to who you were called to be, and who you were called to represent makes a tremendous difference in how you are perceived as a person.

"A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful." (Proverbs 14:25)

We work and live in a secular world. We have a natural human tendency to keep our Christianity rather quiet as we conform to the spirit of secularism in our workplaces, schools, and social clubs - places that may be hostile to Christians. Are Christians absent from these places? Of course not. Christians are everywhere, but maybe it’s not where we are but what we are in those places. What we don’t say or do can be a powerful negative witness just as proper actions can be powerful positive witness.

Today will probably be another day where you will be faced with many choices. As you start your day, what kind of witness do you want to be - a faithful or false witness - in your family, workplace, or school? Do you want to bring blessings to others and honor to Christ?

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." (John 16:13-15)

As Christians, we have the Spirit of truth with us and living in us. God the Holy Spirit is our guide and our teacher. He wants our lives to be lives that are defined by truth, not by deception. He wants His light to shine within us at all times. It is by the Spirit that we can be what Christ wants us to be right where we are.

Be what matters,

Bishop Ian

When Opportunity Knocks, Answer the Door...

Last week I spoke about being patient and waiting on God’s timing. I want to speak this week about what to do when God does provide us with opportunity. Oliver Wendell Holmes, once noted that there exists in every church people “who are so heavenly minded they are of no earthly good.” Likewise, the late bishop, J.C. Ryle, observed how many times people would reject the very things they had prayed for. The odd thing he noted was that the excuse for not embracing God’s answer was that they needed to pray about it some more just to be sure.

God provides opportunities to our advantage all the time. Unless we take advantage of those opportunities provided for us, they simply will not become reality if we are constantly reaching for excuses.

"But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." (1 Corinthians 16:8-9)

The Apostle Paul was a man always looking for the opportunities shown to him by God. He recognized a door of opportunity that the Lord opened for him in Ephesus, and he wanted to make sure that his dream of spreading the gospel there became a reality. Interestingly, he also recognized that this opportunity was going to meet with difficult opposition. There were many people in that very area who were opposing him every step of the way. Yet, Paul did not reach for excuses. Rather, he saw the opportunities in the midst of the opposition. How about you?

"These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." (Revelation 3:7)

These are very encouraging words from Jesus...words that were not simply for his people back then, but words that are also for his people today. Jesus tells us that he holds the keys; meaning that he has all authority. He also tells us that He is the one who opens or shuts the doors of opportunity; meaning that He has all power.

What a deal! If God opens doors of opportunity to further the kingdom - step through - reach for the opportunity, and don't reach for excuses! I know, maybe you feel you should pray about it some more…or some of you may be thinking that you are not yet prepared…or you are too tired to take that step. Whatever your reason, Jesus has something to say to all of us.

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and not denied my name." (Revelation 3:8)

Here’s the bottom line. If you believe that no one can stop His perfect plan, then reach for the opportunities! Will there be opposition? Maybe. Will you feel tired and overwhelmed at times? Probably. But, let me ask you this; when Jesus opens the door of opportunity, do you really want to miss the blessings on the other side?

Be heavenly minded that you may be of great good!!!

Bishop Ian

Being Patient...

“Patience is a virtue.” How many times has this saying rolled off the lips of mothers throughout time? We live in an instant gratification world and we have a tendency to operate in “crisis” mode when we don’t get what we want.

I know that God is perfect and that his timing is perfect as do many of you. Yet, even I sometimes wish that His timing would coincide with my timing. It seems whenever we rush into something or pace the floor over some situation, we finally realize that we have no control. We are truly wasting our time - time better spent bringing the situation before God in prayer.

"For I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." (Philippians 1:19)

The Apostle Paul, writer of the letter to the Philippians, had good reason to feel impatient. He was unfairly imprisoned, his opponents were attacking his reputation, and his ministry seemed to be in jeopardy. Yet, there was Paul sitting in prison and stating that what had happened would turn out for the best.

If it were me, I would be wondering not only how this would turn out for the best, but when this would happen! With each passing hour in that prison, I would be losing more and more of my patience.

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." (Philippians 1:20)

This passage should be mind blowing for us. Paul could remain patient in prison because all he cared about was bringing glory to Christ even if that meant a longer stay in prison. The only thing he wanted was the courage to properly honor Christ.

Was it tough for Paul to be in prison? Of course it was. Was it difficult for Paul to sit in prison while his ministry was under attack? Of course it was. Did Paul have a desire to be free and continue to do the Lord's work on the outside? He was human, wasn't he? Paul, however, also understood that the Lord's plans and timing were much better than his. Therefore, Paul figured he would leave the timing up to the Lord, and in the meantime he would live to bring glory to the Lord... whether in prison or out, whether by life or by death.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

Paul wanted his life to be all about Christ. Even if he had to remain imprisoned, his life would have still been about Christ! If he died, he knew there was the great reward waiting for him - eternal life with Christ - eternal life with his Savior with no pain or suffering, no death or sorrow, and no prisons! It kind of puts our problems in better perspective.

Be patient…

Bishop Ian