Over the last several months, Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO) has continued to experience exciting growth. The level of interest in our vision is extremely encouraging, and in order to better serve and support our leaders, Bishop Todd Hunter has appointed Ellis Brust as his Canon for Episcopal Oversight and Tony Baron as his Canon for Leadership Development and Spiritual Formation. This structural division of tasks will free Todd to concentrate on those responsibilities that only he can do and is designed to better assist C4SO leaders to move forward with Kingdom mission and ministry.

In his role, Ellis will serve as Todd’s “second” with delegated authority to represent him in a variety of settings and venues; function as an ambassador for Todd within C4SO and beyond; act as the “vision catalyst”; connect and facilitate leaders and parishes; nurture ecumenical relationships; and serve as the C4SO Network Leader within the Anglican Mission (theAM).

As Canon for Leadership Development and Spiritual Formation, Tony is charged with upholding ancient spiritual practices for the sake of others within the context of our church planting movement. He will be responsible for identifying and mentoring leaders within the scope of C4SO; leadership training (including ordination, ongoing spiritual formation and continuing education); serving as a pastor to pastors; working with area coordinators; and acting as the C4SO Clergy Formation Adviser (CFA) within the Anglican Mission (manage clergy credentialing).

In addition to Ellis and Tony, the Rev. Trish Nelson of Christ Church, Overland Park, Kansas, has agreed to serve as the C4SO Network Administrator responsible for maintaining data records for clergy and congregations; assisting Tony with managing clergy credentialing; and working with churches who desire to affiliate with theAM.

Area coordinators for C4SO work will work with these leaders in order to fulfill their call to plant and pastor churches, church plants and faith communities in their areas.

These minimal structures and systems will prepare C4SO to move to the next level as we look forward to continued growth and development.

The Service of Ordination and Consecration of Missionary Bishops-elect Todd Hunter, Doc Loomis and Silas Ng has been scheduled:

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7:30 PM
The First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena
3700 East Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena, California

A reception will follow at the church.

Vesting & Locations Information

Bishops: Rochet, red chimere and red stole

Priests and Deacons: Alb and red stole

Bishops and Service Participants: Lower Level Room 112

Priests and Deacons: Lower Level Room 101

Hotel Accommodations
Embassy Suites Hotel, Arcadia-Pasadena
211 E. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 445-8525

The special nightly rate of $129 includes a “cook-to-order” breakfast and a complimentary Manager’s Reception each night. There will also be a shuttle service (seven-passenger van) available on a first-come, first-serve basis between the hotel and the church.

In order to take advantage of this rate, reservations must be made by August 18, 2009. Be sure to reference the Anglican Mission when making your reservations.

I was the speaker at the final plenary session of the Anglican Church in North America’s provincial assembly in Bedford, Texas, on Thursday, June 25, 2009. As promised, you can find the notes from my session here and for more information about the Assembly visit the Anglican Church in North America Inaugural Assembly site.

It was a wonderful treat to be with my new colleagues at the Investiture of Archbishop Duncan and to speak at the closing session. Our time was brief Thursday morning, so as promised, I have made the full text of my notes available here. Not every point in the outline will be clear without my comments, but use what you can…for the sake of others!