Where is your church now?
I am in the Anglican Church in Montreal, Quebec. It is a church very much in the minority in many ways. English is a minority, being Anglican is a minority in this Roman Catholic province, being faithful is a minority position in the most secular society in Canada. We have seen our Diocese go from 68,000 members in the 1970′s to 25,000 today, and it continues to shrink. At the same time we have seen our church and this Diocese recently get too caught up in same-sex issues and not concentrating enough on the overall mission we are called to. On my bad days, I am depressed. Yet I know in my heart that God has placed me here in this context, and I am meant to preach the word and be faithful to what God is calling me, and his people, to at this time in this place.
Where do you want the Anglican Church of Canada to be in 2019?”
I want to see the church reach out a lot more in mission both within and outside of Canada. I want to see the church listen carefully to the Holy Spirit and follow what God is calling us to. In our Diocese I want to see less emphasis on buildings and a lot more emphasis on mission. I want to see the church take up once again discipleship, to make strong disciples, not just church-goers. I want to see the church reach out to our secular society and tell the Good News, as well as what is working well in the church.
I thank the National church for this opportunity to vision.
