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Dear Friends,
A few years ago I read a book by Thom Rainer called Simple Church. I found it very affirming in terms of a paradigm of ministry we were already embracing at Incarnation. He challenged people to think about ministry in terms of the Great Commandment (Love God with all you are / Love each other as Jesus loves us) and Great Commission (Go into all the world and make disciples). This is something we have focused on since Incarnation was birthed almost five years ago. It has become a rule of life for us and a means of measuring our progress in the mission. But what does it mean for us day by day?
I can answer it in this way, in terms of expectation as priest and pastor, the Vicar of Incarnation; I hope every member of the church can answer three questions about the "missional activity" they do day by day, week by week.
Question #1: Where and how are you loving God? If you are a member of Incarnation then some of that answer needs to include Sunday mornings. The larger question though is how are you day by day expressing your love for the Lord? How are you devoting yourself to knowing Jesus more and more? You should be able to point to activity that expresses these values: daily prayer, worship, study, fellowship with others who encourage you in this manner and way of life and living.
Question #2: Where are you loving others? Where are you engaged in relationships, serving, giving, and interacting with others in Christ-like affection? The Christian life is not lived in isolation, we live with an intentionality of community. This is God's design, He placed us in relationship with each other. We will celebrate this union with Christ and each other this coming Sunday as we baptize Colton Charles. So the question is, where is your life connected and joined to other believers?
Question #3: Where are you engaged in the mission of the church? Our Baptismal Covenant poses the question this way... Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? We answer, "We will with God's help." I want to live everyday with a sense of mission, leading others to Christ. Whether this is in verbally sharing the Gospel or by letting my light shine so that others may see, this is my passion, the advance of the Kingdom of God into this world - one heart, one life at a time.
These questions have become a means of measuring my own discipleship. I hope you can point to things that you do that will answer these questions. Opportunities abound to do all of these in the life of the mission in Oviedo, (look in the column on the left to see) but whether you are doing them at Incarnation or not, find a place where you are living the Great Commandment and Great Commission. As we consider the many opportunities to serve and give, to connect and plug in, to grow in our knowledge and love for Christ day by day let us press on to the higher calling of knowing Jesus more and more. On this side of eternity there is no better way to spend the resources of your time, talent and treasure than this. The collect for the week reflects this kind of devotion (in the left column at the top), I commend it to you as a part of your prayers this week.
The church is the expression of the Kingdom of God in this world. It is summed up in being a people of the Great Commandment and Great Commission. May the Lord increase in us day by day a desire to know him and serve him and may He find us faithful...
in the mission,
Father Jon+
A few other things...
Global Teams, a tremendous Anglican Mission Ministry has launched Mission Java - if you are a "coffee hound" like me you should check this out
www.missionjava.com
I received my first order and I am enjoying rich, bold and fresh roasted coffee. I encourage you to do the same for in doing so you support Gospel Mission efforts around the world!
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Canterbury and Incarnation continue to resist the development of adjoining property to the Canterbury campus where a RACETRAC gas station and convenience store is proposed. There are two more public meetings regarding this development. Your support and participation in these meeting would be much appreciated.
City Council 1st reading: Thursday, Sept. 8 /6:30 pm /City Council Chambers
City Council 2nd reading and adoption public hearing: Monday, Sept. 19, / 6:30 pm / City Council Chambers
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Opportunities to serve and volunteer at Canterbury - contact Pastor Robin for more information: robin@incarnationoviedo.com
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CENTRAL FLORIDA'S NEXT BISHOP
For information on the search process for our next Bishop check out... http://bishopsearch.cfdiocese.org
Here is a link to the Diocesan Profile - Who we are and what we want in our next Bishop...
http://www.cfdiocese.org/sites/default/files/dioprofile0611.pdf
Here is a link to forms regarding the nomination process... http://bishopsearch.cfdiocese.org/nominating-forms-fourth-bishop-central-florida
Also for information on FAQ...
http://bishopsearch.cfdiocese.org/frequently-asked-questions
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