Summer 2019 Newsletter

In June, I will be taking a course called Learning in London, which is a master’s and doctoral level course offered through Bexley-Seabury Episcopal Seminary in Chicago. The course is about church growth, through increasing numbers in existing congregations and planting new congregations. The number of Episcopalians in the diocese of London, England is growing rapidly – the opposite of most dioceses, which have seen numbers shrink dramatically. The on-site portion of the course includes visits to and conversations with London churches that are engaging in creative ministries to spread the Gospel. Before and after the on-site time I will be reading the three textbooks, several articles, and at least two additional texts that will help me complete a course project. I will be sharing much of what I learn with you. I am currently reading the first of these books, The Healthy Churches’ Handbook by Robert Warren. Warren lists seven marks of a healthy church. Healthy churches are:
  • Energized by faith
  • Focused outward (focused primarily on missions and ministry to others)
  • Seeking to find out what God wants
  • Facing the cost of change and growth
  • Operating as a community
  • Making room for all
  • Doing a few things and doing them well (rather than trying to do too much)
St Andrew’s possesses many of these marks of a healthy congregation and we can work toward increased good health. Healthy organisms (churches, humans, plants) grow; the healthier an organism is, the more sustained its growth will be and the better all parts of the organism will work together as a whole. Thanks be to God for the health we already have and the health that we continue to develop.

​Randi+​

2019 Submission Deadlines

Even if not scheduled for a submission, articles are always welcomed and encouraged! Please electronically submit your article to Mike Depew by the following dates:
Feb/March Edition:
January 11th

April/May Edition:
March 7th

Summer Edition:
May 9th

September Edition:
August 8th

Oct/Nov Edition:
September 5th

Dec/Jan 2020 Edition:
​November 7th

Archive

Summer 2019
April/May 2019
February/March 2019
​December/January 2019
October/November 2018
​September 2018
Summer 2018
​April/May 2018
​February/March 2018
​December 2017/January2018
​October/November 2017