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SUNDAY READINGS
Micah 4:1-5
Psalm 98
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
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April 24, 2009
From the Rector's Desk
 Detail of ordination, Chartres Cathedral
In just a few days we will celebrate a very special occasion, the ordination of Ryan Hofacre as a deacon in the church. This will likely be a transitional stage for him as he is on his way to serving eventually as an Anglican priest (presbyter).
It seems as if every church and Christian tradition has its own way of identifying and appointing leaders. It can be a source of confusion, and at times, disagreement. It's one of the things, I believe, to hold with grace, yet not without its proper value. The ordering of the church and its mission requires godly leadership in its variety of forms and expressions. I'd like today to offer some thoughts on ordained leadership at Redeemer, recognizing that many of us have come from places where it may be understood and practiced differently.
Ordination actually doesn't begin with pastors or bishops or superintendents, but with our call to be the people of God. From creation onward, through the promise to Abraham and the renewing work of the prophets and apostles God has been calling to himself a people. Through the power of the Holy Spirit God baptizes us into his body, making us to be 'a people for his own possession', as the liturgy reminds us—a people to do his work and carry out his mission. Just as Jesus' ministry was inaugurated by baptism, so we are baptized into the life of Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit to 'bring good news to the poor... to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour" (Luke 4: 18-19). The church carries forward Christ's mission as a holy people (1 Peter 2), with baptism as the mark and entry point to that vital calling and identity, foundational to the life and ministry of the church. All ministry in the church flows from that wonderful affirmation that we are a 'chosen people, a royal priesthood', in order that we might declare God's praises.
Into this people, then, God provides gifts to every member for the edifying and strengthening of the church and its mission, including teaching, healing, evangelism, discernment, leadership, etc (Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12). So that the whole people of God may fulfill their calling to be a holy priesthood, serving Christ in the world and providing witness to his Good News, some are called to specific ministries of leadership by ordination. These are not people more spiritual, or somehow 'closer to God', but they are called by God and discerned by the body for offices in the church—integral to the body itself, not 'above' others, with roles of equipping, leading and serving.
The New Testament refers to a variety of leadership roles in the church, but by the second century the ordering of bishops, presbyters and deacons emerged across the wider context of the church and remains the pattern we follow to this day. Throughout history the relationship between ordained offices in the church and the laity have shifted and moved. In addition, cultural settings and factors of interpretation have led to the emergence of other leadership models in certain corners of the church. But at Church of the Redeemer we affirm the historic ordering of the church's leadership in this three-fold pattern, serving the whole people of God.
Bishop
The ministry of oversight (episcope) is given by God to the church in the person of the bishop. This leader provides continuity and unity with the apostolic faith—by functioning as an apostle among us. In Anglican polity the bishop serves as chief priest, teacher and pastor (usually of a diocese or collection of congregations), and as one who guards the faith, discipline and unity of the whole church. The bishop proclaims God's word, acts in Christ's name for the building up of the church and the reconciliation of the world, and ordains others to continue Christ's ministry. As part of the Anglican Mission in the Americas our understanding of bishop is not the settled, established one associated with institutional dioceses, but one that sees the bishop as called to lead the church to mission, serving in the visible role of apostle.
See 1 Tim 3:2, Acts 20:28, Titus 1:7, 1 Peter 2:25
Presbyter
Presbyters are called to share with bishops the oversight of the church. In fact, the terms for these offices in the New Testament are sometimes used interchangeably. The Presbyter (often translated 'elder') serves as pastoral minister of the word and sacraments in the local Eucharistic community. They teach, preach, exercise pastoral care, and bear responsibility for the discipline of the congregation, particularly to the end that the world may believe and the entire church be renewed, strengthened and equipped in ministry. As representative of the bishop, a distinctive feature of the presbyter's ministry is to identify and nurture the gifts of the Spirit given to the community for the work of ministry.
Often in the Anglican tradition presbyters are called 'priests', but some are uncomfortable with this language, especially because of confusion with the Old Testament priesthood that mediated between God and the people, and the notions of priesthood in the pre-Reformation church. In the New Testament 'priestly' language is used of Christ (Hebrews 4 and 5) and of the whole people of God (1 Peter 2 and Revelation 1), while the term 'presbyter' refers to the appointed leaders of Christian communities. But there are ways in which these various symbols and meanings intersect in this office that make the use of the word 'priest' appropriate, in my view. Ordained ministers (presbyters) are related both to the priesthood of Christ and to the priesthood of the people of God. "They may be appropriately called priests because they fulfill a particularly priestly service by strengthening and building up the royal and prophetic priesthood of the faithful through the Word and sacraments, through their prayers of intercession, and through their pastoral guidance of the community" (Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, 1982).
Deacon
This is a term used widely in the Christian church for a variety of roles, but in our Anglican family it is an ordained office that is rooted in service—service to the Lord, to the church, and to the world, particularly the poor. In Acts 6 seven people were set aside as deacons to care for needs that had become overwhelming to those preaching the gospel. Deacons are still called to care for practical needs, but are also those who equip the rest of the church to live as servants. Many people are ordained as deacons on their way to the priesthood, but increasingly more are discerning a call to this office as a distinct and permanent ministry in the body of Christ.
Deacons are those called to hold up the servant mission of the church in the world, and to interpret to the church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world. The way deacons function in the liturgy (reading the Gospel, preparing the table, sending us forth) speaks to this ground between the world and the baptized community, and reminds us of our call to reach out with the hope of the Good News.
As we gather for Ryan's ordination Monday night let us give thanks that God has ordered the church as He has, and that each of us is gifted and called to serve him as part of the holy priesthood of God's chosen people.
Read more on leadership development in the AMiA
Easter Blessings!
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
An Easter Season Ordination
Please join in worship and celebration on Monday evening April 27th at 7pm, as Bishop Sandy Greene will ordain Ryan Hofacre to the Sacred Order of Deacons. Ryan is being ordained after a long season of preparation, discernment and faithful ministry among us. It is being held on a weeknight as that is the only availability Bishop Sandy has for awhile, so we hope you'll spread the word as we come together to affirm Ryan and his call. Please be in prayer as we approach this important service of worship and commitment.
Journey to Rwanda
This summer a small team from Church of the Redeemer will travel to Rwanda to strengthen ties with our sister parish, St. Michael's church, and Sonrise School, and to deliver words of blessing and encouragement as the nation observes the 15th anniversary of the genocide. We will also receive much that we will bring back to Redeemer, even as we begin to plan a trip there next year with more people from our church.
Our Rector, Jay, will be traveling with Jason Miller and filmmaker Mark Rosengren (son of Ricki and Tom) in the latter part of June. They will serve as ambassadors from our church to St. Michael's and will help to re-establish a ministry of presence in Rwanda that we have not had for several years. Fr. Jay will be speaking at St. Michael's on June 21st sharing greetings from Church of the Redeemer. We also hope to present a plaque and a photo of our entire congregation to mark the ongoing and renewing relationship.
Each one traveling will contribute some personal funds to this endeavor as well as seek financial support outside of our church, but it is the privilege and responsibility of each of us to participate as we can, in support and prayer. This trip is not included in our budget for this year, but the Vestry has discerned that it is important that it go forward. The total cost is $9,000, with the largest part of that being airfare, and we have received offerings of $1,000 so far to cover this. Any funds raised in excess will be set aside for future trips from Redeemer people.
Thank you for praying for this, and for contributing in order to make this journey of encouragement possible. Whether you are able to give $5, $25 or $2500 this is a connection between everyone at Redeemer and everyone at St. Michael's.
Join Us May 30th from 6-9pm for a send-off of the Rwanda trip at Newport Coffeehouse in Bannockburn. There will be live music from our many talented Redeemer musicians, Rwandan coffee and an opportunity for you to send personal greetings to St. Michael's and Sonrise School. Bring some friends and drop in to learn more, enjoy the evening, and contribute to this important journey.
Sonrise Banquet Benefit
Church of the Redeemer has been a key partner to Rwanda's Sonrise School for over 10 years, providing a significant portion of their annual operating expenses. Work is underway for this year's benefit, to be held in October. Would you like to serve on a team to help make that event as effective as possible? We need creative people who can help with designing an invitation, table decorations (centerpieces), mailing, set up, take down, publicity etc. Contact the Event Coordinator, Michele Becker, at 847-729-7455, or by email : michele.p.becker[at]comcast.net
Parenting Teens
Spread the word that our 9am hour will return for a few weeks in early May in order to encourage our families. Dr. Perry Downs, Professor of Educational Ministries at Trinity, will teach on "Parenting Teens". Perry has been at Trinity since 1976 and is known around the world as one of the key figures in Christian education. His book on Teaching for Spiritual Growth is a classic, and he has taught many of the educators now serving in positions of leadership globally.
Perry also brings deep personal experience to his insights on parenting, as he and his wife Sandy have been foster parents to more than 30 children. Plan on being with us on May 10th and 17th at 9am, and invite those you know will be encouraged by his helpful teaching on raising children, especially in the tough teen years.
Note: this is not just for parents, but for the whole church as we nurture the families and young people at Redeemer and in our communities.
Stewardship at Redeemer
Thank you for your faithful giving to Kingdom work through Church of the Redeemer. God is blessing in many ways, providing employment, new life and other provision as we pray together as His people. In the Easter season, as we celebrate the glorious Resurrection, we respond in the giving of our lives to God, in renewed commitment and devotion. May God continue to provide the resources for all He is calling us to, as we openly respond out of gratitude.
Offering last week: $3,681
Offering needed each week: $6,600
Notes...
— May 8th, 9am will be our next gathering of Growing Leaders at the EC Church Highland Park
— Do you know of a person graduating from college or graduate school? Please contact our office as we will be honouring these graduates on May 10th. We will honour high school graduates in early June.
— Special thanks to all who made Holy Week a truly marvelous journey of faith and encounter.
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- God's provision and will in these days
- Bishop Sandy, Ryan Hofacre and other leaders
- Alpha
- Sallie Vroom, Mark Sershon, Liz Jones and all who need healing
- The Alpha retreat next weekend
- St. Michael's in Rwanda and Sonrise School
- Prayer, Discipleship and Outreach through Redeemer
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