When we think of ministry in the context of our Christian faith we think minister, and when we think minister we think of our bishop and our rector. In the Anglican Church our church is modeled on what we believe to be the Apostolic model, that is in the tradition of the Apostles. In this model our basic unit for the organization of the church is the diocese. The bishop stands in the tradition of the Apostles as leader of the church. In order to fulfill this ministry the bishop, for service to the church, ordains that other women and men (our priests and deacons) should help in the ministry of shepherding the flock. This leadership is one of service to the Body of Christ which is the church.
The service of bishop and priest comes with all the traditional duties of leadership in parish life and other ministries of which we ordinarily think. They proclaim the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus to us and lead us in our celebration of the Eucharist. Their service also consists of communicating the call and challenge of Jesus to go beyond who we are to who we can become in the fulfillment of our Christian mission. This can make our priest and our bishop an occasionally uncomfortable presence. At their best they are true communicators of the voice of God in our lives.
Contact: Rev. Michael Mitchell 634-4994
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