Several times a week I get a suggestion to read a book that will help me do a better job leading a congregation. I read a bunch of those books each year. I am fascinated with figuring things out. So it is intriguing to me that the last thing that Jesus says to His disciples before He ascends to the Father is "Wait." He has spent three years teaching, training, modeling - preparing His disciples for their mission. He has died on the cross to take away their sins. He has risen from the dead, leaving an empty tomb. So, the disciples have Jesus' teaching. They have Jesus' method. They have the empty tomb. But Jesus doesn't say "Go." He says "Wait." What more do they need? Aren't knowledge, experience and skill enough? Many of the books seem to think so.

But Jesus tells His followers, "I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). For Jesus the most essential element for the accomplishment of His mission in the world is His presence and empowerment through the Holy Spirit. Pentecost reminded us of that. We need to remember it every day. Technique, skill, experience are inadequate. In order to be conduits of the Kingdom, we must have the power of the King.

Here are a couple of implications:

1. The primary job of leaders is discernment. Our preferences are irrelevant in the Kingdom. All that matters is the will of the King. So we start with the question, "What does Jesus want to do?" Listening for the answer is more important than

convincing others that our perspective or preference is right.

2. Ministry starts with our knees not our hands or our mouths. We have nothing to offer if we neglect our time with the Lord. We need time waiting.

The books can assist us. But the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is the essence. God invites us to join Him in His mission; but only after we have received the promise of the Father. We must wait before go - daily. 

Jim+

The Rev. Jim Hobby

Phone: 229-379-6100

Email: JHobby@gulfatlanticdiocese.org

To all laity and clergy in the Gulf Atlantic Diocese, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

SOMA, (Sharing of Ministries Abroad at www.somausa.org), has asked the Rev. Michael LaCagnina and his wife Joyce of Christ's Anglican Fellowship in High Springs to be a part of a six-person team to respond to an invitation of The Right Reverend George

Joyce & Michael

Erwau, Bishop of the Diocese of Soroti, Uganda.  Bishop Erwau has asked SOMA to send a team to Soroti for the express purpose of introducing Alpha to his diocese and train up leaders who can use the Alpha program to expand the outreach of their churches and strengthen them in the knowledge and power of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

The dates for this mission are June 2 through 16. Michael and Joyce will join Jenny Noyes, who is the Director of Alpha USA Southeast, en route and arrive in Soroti June 3, where they will join Clark and Carol Rogers Smith of Christ Church, Savannah.  During their stay, they will be in the town of Soroti, and will do team building on the campus of Uganda Christian University in Mukono. 

Michael and Joyce were asked to be a part of this team since they have been uniquely groomed by our Lord to serve in this capacity.  They have jointly led Alpha in three different churches, and the desire was that the "recruits" for this mission outreach include a member of the clergy. 

Michael and Joyce have joined in prayer with their congregation and with others regarding this call to mission and have received verification as well as prayerful and financial encouragement that they should participate.  I am now asking that you prayerfully consider two requests:

1. Please pray for this mission and its team members.  Introducing Alpha to a Diocese that has two different languages with which to deal will be a major undertaking for the team. Pray for travel mercies and for God's guidance for the team as they minister.

2. Please ask the Lord if He is leading you to support this mission financially. This trip will cost some $ 6,000, not including out-of-pocket expenses. To date the support offered falls some $ 2,500 short. Remember that Uganda was one of the Anglican Provinces that reached out to us during our period of wilderness journeying.

Michael and Joyce have purchased their plane tickets on faith and credit and have departed on a wing and a prayer.

Christ's Anglican Fellowship

P.O. Box 414

High Springs, FL 32655

Please put Uganda Mission on the memo line of your checks. If more money is received than is needed, the surplus amount will be used to support future missions under SOMA.

Thank you for your support.

Yours in Christ,

Jim McCaslin+

Posted: May 27, 2010 - 11:02pm
By Rhonda Reese

"Thank you, Lord."

Those words were said many times Sunday when members of All Souls Anglican Church held their first worship service in their new sanctuary at 4042 Hartley Road. Once a home improvement store, the facility now houses the 32-year-old congregation.

All Souls met at Mandarin Middle School for the past 34 months, after the Episcopal Diocese claimed its St. Augustine Road property. Once an Episcopal congregation, All Souls felt called to the more conservative Anglican discipline after a gay priest was elected bishop of New Hampshire seven years ago.

"There are no hard feelings left," said Margie Allen, a long-time All Souls member. "I am glad our old building is now being used by another church [CrossView Church], and I'm thrilled we now have this beautiful place. We just want to reach out to the people around where God has now placed us."

While recognizing that it was hard work to haul equipment in and set up chairs each week for the past few years, many parishioners said they'd learned many things about God's love and faithfulness during their time without a home of their own. Several said they'd also learned how to be more creative.

"I don't think I'll ever say I'm going to church again," a young man said. "I now realize you go where you go to worship. That's what's important."

The Rev. Gene Strickland, rector at All Souls, reminded congregants that the Bible teaches believers to "be anxious for nothing," but instead to pray.

A lot of people were praying for All Souls. Crown Point Baptist members prayed and allowed All Souls to use their facilities, free of charge, for fellowships, weddings, funerals and even to park the trailers containing items hauled to the middle school each week for services.

"We formed an unbelievable bond with these very gracious people," Allen said. "They were so supportive and encouraging to us. Christian Family Chapel and St. Joseph's Catholic Church also helped us."

Many members of Crown Point Baptist walked from Mandarin Middle with members of All Souls to their new building on Sunday to help their friends celebrate.

The Rev. Steven Thompson, pastor of Crown Point, reminded members of both congregations that churches should not be in competition because there are plenty of people everywhere who need to hear about God's love for them.

If the celebrating and hugging and sharing that took place Sunday were any indication, it looks like that  message was heard loud and clear.