FORMATION The Bishop's Spring Conference

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Presentation at Diocese of New Jersey Bishop’s Spring Conference Saturday, April 18 th 2015

Office of Black Ministries The Rev. Canon Angela Ifill, Missioner

Moving from Membership to Discipleship: To Join God’s Mission in the World

welcomes you Membership Reports from Episcopal Congregations Average Sunday attendance and number of pledges

welcomes you Discipleship “To restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” (BCP p. 855) “The church is the only institution that exists not for those who belong but for those who do not belong.” -Archbishop William Temple

welcomes you Discipleship ”The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up your cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:21-23)

welcomes you Rule of Life – helps us to come closer to Christ for a deeper relationship.

We are a sent people Ordained by God Followers of Christ, duty bound to respond “Go into the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15)

The Liturgy also helps us to understand. The liturgy is the work of the people and consists of: A gathering, prayers, reading of scripture, the sermon and sharing of the peace

Then we move to the table for the Great thanksgiving after which we give God thanks for his blessings and his gifts to us in the post communion prayer that says in part: “And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord…”

Then we are sent into the world to: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

The Five Marks of Mission – Proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom – Teach, baptize and nurture new believers – Respond to human need by loving service – Seek to transform unjust structures of society – Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

Resources ▪Article by Christopher Duraisingh: From Church-Shaped Mission to Mission-Shaped Church ▪Power Surge: Six Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church, by Michael W. Foss ▪The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation - The Episcopal Church ▪The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice, by Kay Lindahl ▪The U-Turn Church: A New Direction for Health and Growth, by Kevin g. Harney & Bob Bouwer ▪Liturgical Life Principles: How Episcopal Worship Can Lead to Healthy and Authentic Living, by Ian S. Markham

Office of Black Ministries The Rev. Canon Angela Ifill, Missioner