A COMMUNIQUE FROM THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS OF THE PROVINCE OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF RWANDA

The House of Bishops of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda (PEAR) met in Kigali, Rwanda on the 13th June 2009. Acknowledging the significant growth of the missionary outreach initiated by PEAR in the USA, the House of Bishops considered nominations for additional missionary Bishops to further the work of the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMIA). The House of Bishops elected three bishops and appointed them to serve in PEAR’s missionary jurisdiction in North America committed to extending God’s kingdom. The bishops –elect are:

The Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter

The Rev. Canon Doc Loomis

The Rev. Silas TAK Yin Ng

The date for the consecrations has been set for September 2009.

To find out more on this exciting news, visit Churches for the Sake of Others or The Anglican Mission in the Americas.

3 is Enough Groups are not a substitute for church or for traditional small groups. The church has always met on Sundays to memorialize the resurrection and comprehensive victory of Jesus over sin and death. As much as some people are struggling with church these days, I doubt there is going to be a wholesale abandonment of 2000 years of worship. Small groups face a similar challenge—it is harder and harder to get adults to attend a midweek small group on a consistent basis. But there are great approaches to small groups out there. For instance, check out Renovare small groups.

Thus rather than having a quarrel with church or small groups, through 3 is Enough Groups I am trying to give Christians a way to grow in Christ and be his ambassador within the already existing rhythms and routines of their lives. But, because there is a meeting component within the 3iE structure, I want to recount a couple things I heard Chris Webb, President of Renovare, say during a conference at which we were both speakers. When meeting with your 3iE Group—or any group for that matter, use the following guideline:

• Encourage: as often as possible
• Give advice: only once in great while
• Reprove: only when absolutely necessary
• Be judgmental: never

What we are looking for in a 3iE Group is loving accountability that expresses itself mostly in mutual learning. This growth in grace and in spiritual transformation happens best as we examen our own conscious, not to judge others. Ignatius developed examen as a way of life for Jesuits. Examen is most simply a weighing out. Picture in your mind a scale—for instance the kind used in the gold rush to weigh gold. When the balance was true, when the needle or pointer at the top of the scale between the two dangling plates was right on the middle mark, the examen was over and it had done its useful job.

This is what we are doing in 3iE Groups: we are simply helping each other find that sweet spot in our conscious wherein we are growing in Jesus such that those around us experience us and our growth in Jesus in a way that is good for them—what I simply call serve. Here’s the key thought: we can help each other examen ourselves with the kind of joy children have learning the guitar together: showing each other how to finger new bar-chords or play new riffs, etc.

Accountability, in my long experience, can never be forced—it is a matter of the heart. A person intent on doing wrong or determined not to grow in Jesus will find a way to frustrate even the best methods of spiritual formation. On the contrary the person whose will is set to do good will make almost any system of discipleship work. For Ignatius, examen was not judgmental—it was a way of practicing the presence of God. It is very similar to what I call “The Golden Triangle of Presence” in my book Christianity Beyond Belief

In 3 is Enough Groups we banish judgmental practices and pick up encouragement through examen instead.

I have a new friend in the Anglican Mission. His name is Barclay Mayo. He is helping me get up to speed on contemporary uses of ancient liturgy. Below is a simple commissioning litany he uses in his church. I think it captures well the vibe and focus of 3iE Groups.

Thanks Barclay!

Wherever you call us, Lord, our God,

we want to be ready and willing to go.

Whenever you need us, Lord, our God

we want to be available and attentive.

Whoever turns out to be our neighbour in need,

we want to be happy to serve, without exceptions.

Live within us, Lord our God

So that we notice, with your discernment,

respond with your compassion,

and speak with your integrity.

In our lives and in our world,

let your kingdom come.

Grant us a vision, Lord,

To reach out beyond ourselves

To share our lives with others

To stretch our capabilities

To increase our sense of purpose

To be aware of where we can help

To be sensitive to your Presence

To give heed to your constant call.

Amen.

Todd Hunter has a new web site: toddhunter.org! There you will find Todd’s personal blog, information about his new book Christianity Beyond Belief, and ways to connect with Todd online as well as live and in person.

In the next few weeks we will be reorganizing this web site in response to some of our learning from the 30-Day Pilot Program. You will see some changes coming soon!

We hope to create a space here where you can find out more about starting a 3 is Enough group, interact with others who are participating in 3 is Enough groups, and learn together how to practically follow Jesus for the sake of others in the context of your everyday lives.

My name is Elizabeth Chapin and I will be adminstering this site. You can find out more about me on my blog at www.chapin.com. I pray that you will find encouragement here for your journey.