As most of you know, in Anglican church governance, duties are divided between clergy and laity. The clergy, under the bishop, is responsible for the theological direction of the church. This encompasses how we worship, what we teach, and how we seek to spread the Gospel. The vestry (or parish council) is a group of lay people selected by the congregation who have a different, but complementary duty.
The vestry is responsible for the “temporal affairs” of the church. This means that this group is responsible for our budget, business decisions, and policies and bylaws. In a rough sense, you can say that the clergy set the identity and vision of the church and the people, through the vestry, choose how to spend money to enact this identity and vision. Together, they balance each other, so that both clergy and laity have a voice at the table.
Incarnation is currently a mission in the Diocese of Christ our Hope, rather than a full-fledged congregation. We will likely make the transition from mission to congregation in 2022, which will entail the selection of our first official vestry! At that point, we will ask people to submit names, so that we can begin the selection process.
In the meantime, though, the role of the vestry has been fulfilled by our governance team, which has acted as a “proto-vestry.” The only real differences between our governance team and a vestry are term-length (the governance team will disband when we transition from mission to congregation) and selection process. Rather than receiving names nominated by the people, this group internally selects its new members.
In the summer of 2019, I asked Ruthie Byrne, Elizabeth Ellwanger, Ken Fitchett, Ed Hardy, and Chris Heidenthal to be our initial governance team. Since then, whenever there has been a vacancy, the group has selected several potential new members from the members of the church, prayed over the names, and then drawn lots to choose the new members. With the departure of Ruthie and Chris from the team, both Connie Beekman and Elizabeth Hammon were added in this way. The current team is now Connie Beekman, Elizabeth Ellwanger, Ken Fitchett, and Ed Hardy, and they drew lots again at our last meeting (after praying over the names!). Brannon McDaniel and Kristi Hall will be joining the team at our next meeting in October.
If you would like to know more about the business side of the church, and how it functions, please approach one of these people! They are the representatives of the people who govern the church’s resources and help establish healthy policies. And if you want more information about how the entire system functions, please do not hesitate to email me!
In Christ,
Steven+
New Roles for Michael and Tori Davis
As you all likely know, Michael and Tori moved to Richmond over a year ago for Michael to pursue a Master of Theology degree as preparation for a potential PhD program. Over their time here, Michael and Tori have realized that, rather than pursuing further education, their calling is to start doing ministry here and now. This realization is something that I fully agree with, and am delighted that they have landed here and become a part of Incarnation, because I love the idea of them participating in the ministry of this church to the Richmond area. Michael and Tori bring different gifts to the church, and we are excited to see them use their gifts in our midst and in the surrounding community.
Tori has said “yes” to taking up the part-time role at Incarnation of Women’s Minister, and will be helping us develop new ministries for the women at the church. The new mid-morning women’s Bible study is an example of the work that she will be doing. Tori has a number of dreams about potential ministries to the women of the church and the broader community, and I encourage you to ask her about what she is praying about and developing!
She is also becoming our second Youth Minister, and is helping Justin by planning fellowship events, teaching Sunday school classes, and taking the lead on communication. Parents of youth have already seen the newsletters and updates from her. If you want to know more about the dreams and plans for youth ministry, talk to Justin and Tori! (It should also be noted that Justin and Tori have a fantastic group of volunteers who are helping them teach Sunday school classes and participating in special activities.)
Michael is now officially on board with Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a campus pastor at the University of Richmond, where he will be ministering to the coaches and athletes. Currently, he is fundraising so that he can begin his ministry. To hear more about his work, read this brief letter from him. He will continue to serve as a deacon at the church until his ordination to the priesthood (Oct. 9), and after his ordination, will serve as an assisting priest. I am thankful to have someone to assist me in this way.
We are delighted that God has brought us Michael and Tori, and eager to see how each of their ministries grows and develops in the Richmond area. Please pray for them!
In Christ,
Steven+
Scripture Reflections
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)
Everyone (except the most hardened person) desires mercy for themselves, just as everyone desires forgiveness. After all, we all have wronged others and do not want every sin and mistake held against us! But James’ words are stern—even a bit frightening—because most of us fail to show mercy to others. It is easy to be frustrated with the flaws of others and forget to be merciful! How often we are impatient, short-tempered, quick to judge! Is judgment truly without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy? How much mercy do we have to show to get mercy?
James is no sterner than Jesus, though, who said, “If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:15). Again, how much forgiveness do we have to show? Peter asked that question, and the reply he received was daunting. Jesus’ answer was effectively, “All of it! All the time!” After telling a story to illustrate this, he repeated himself—forgiveness only comes to the one who shows it to others (Matt. 18:21-35).
In listening to these words, we must be careful. If we believe we earn God’s mercy by showing mercy or earn his forgiveness by showing forgiveness, we are gravely mistaken. We cannot earn anything from God. His grace is our only hope! But we cannot let the glorious truth of grace blind us from what the Bible says: Only those who show mercy receive it, and only those who offer forgiveness receive it.
Very simply, God’s mercy and forgiveness come first, but we cannot receive them without becoming people who show them. To refuse to offer these gifts is the same motion as to refuse to receive them. We cannot have it both ways—either we live in the realm of mercy and forgiveness, or we don’t, and if we live in that realm, it means both giving and receiving.
We live in a merciless time. The internet has given all of us the ability to vilify, slander, and attack others. One mistake, one poorly worded phrase, one foolish or sinful decision and the mobs leap in to cut the reputation down. Everyone justifies their response, of course! But the church should be different. We are called to live in a kingdom of giving and receiving mercy, of giving and receiving forgiveness. This isn’t easy—who enjoys showing mercy to the enemy?—but if we say yes to God’s call, we will find ourselves receiving the mercy we need and “shining like lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15), examples of Jesus Christ to those around us.
Steven+