Fr. Sean Templeton
Rogation Processions: Proclaiming Jesus to our ...

Too often we think of evangelism as a sale job pushing a disembodied belief (or system of beliefs) on another person’s mind rather than the scriptural model of discipleship bringing the enlightenment and sanctity of God’s personal presence to another person. We know that from the Scriptures to “believe” in Jesus is far more than just acknowledging Him but loving Him personally and asking the Holy Spirit into each area of our lives. What better way to witness the embodied personal presence of Christ than to walk around our neighbors in His name?

Rogation Processions: Proclaiming Jesus to our Neighbors
Fr. Sean Templeton
Jesus Eclipses All: Proclaiming the Risen Jesus ...

 According to a Pew Research Study published in December of 2023 56% of “Spiritual but not Religious” people “feel a deep sense about the universe monthly.” And I would bet that this past week that jumped up greatly.

Jesus Eclipses All: Proclaiming the Risen Jesus by Name
Fr. Sean Templeton
A Sermon on Charles, Saint and Martyr

You and I too can have that meaning life and death. Both the king and the begger have equal access to the King of the Universe. If you have not yet accepted his kingship, you can. If you have fallen down in your service, he is there to forgive and restore. You too can run the race and by God’s grace receive the incorruptible crown.

A Sermon on Charles, Saint and Martyr
Fr. Sean Templeton
How do Anglican Christians Observe Fasting?

n accordance with this instruction, early Christians fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year; this has evolved and changed over the years. In addition to regular fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays, (and then just Fridays), it became regular for Christians to fast during days preceding feasts and seasons of pentience. The Protestant Reformation retained fasting as well.

How do Anglican Christians Observe Fasting?
Fr. Sean Templeton
Momento Mori Part III: Prepare for Death, ...

For the Christian the church is the center of life and place where communion is had with the Body of Christ in Word and Sacrament, so it is fitting that in death, here the Christian returns before being commended to God and committed to the earth in “sure and certain hope of the resurrection.” It is not a small thing that the deceased and his or her loved ones join together one last time in Church, for if they too are Christians that is where they will meet again after the General Resurrection.

Momento Mori Part III: Prepare for Death, Include Your a Body

REctor

Church Dedication? Institution of a Rector? What Is This All About? - Part 3 Of Rectors, Letters, Litanies

We continue in looking at the significance of the Dedication and Institution service. Today we switch to focus more on the Institution of a Rector. What is a “Rector?” It comes from the Latin regere meaning "to rule or guide.” It is the same root from which the English “Director” is derived. The Rector is the spiritual “ruler or guide” of his Parish. In Anglican governance ruling authority is split by canon (church law) between the Rector and the Vestry. In the last article you read how the Wardens hold temporal authority with the Vestry, today we look more deeply at the role of the Rector  

 The Rector holds authority in all spiritual matters in the Parish Church. This includes the selection of clergy, staff, programs, teaching, preaching, music and liturgy. He also sits as chairman of the Vestry and appoints most committees and ministry leaders. 

 Together the Rector and Vestry hold authority over the local congregation but they are both subject to the spiritual authority of the Bishop and Synod (essentially the congress of the diocese made up of lay and clergy delegates). It sounds complicated, but that is because there are many checks and balances in recognition that even in the Church the sinfulness of humans must be factored in.

 In the service this Sunday you will hear the bishop read the “Letter of Institution” and then give it to the Rector. As the Rector receives it he says, “I promise to be a faithful shepherd to your flock, the Lord being my helper.”

 The bishop will also ask God’s grace on the Rector to, “empower him with the truth of sound doctrine, and endue him with holiness of life.” In the epistle reading for the day St. Paul writes,

  11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

In addition to the checks and balances in the church and the mantles of authority, this also reminds us that though we have different roles we are all equal in the body of Christ. It is God who give us our roles to play and it is also God who gives us the grace to accomplish what He asks of us. While this is His promise, we still beseech Him to ever do so in singing the Litany for Ordinations.