Episcopal Life Online Daybook -- Today is Tuesday, November 20, 2007. The Church calendar remembers Edmund, king of East Anglia (841-870).
* Today in Scripture: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm * Today in Prayer: Anglican Cycle of Prayer: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/index.cfm * Today in History: On this day in 1847 Henry Francis Lyte, Anglican Divine and hymnist, died at Nice, France.
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TEACHING
New resource examines cultural diversity in ordination process
By Daphne Mack
[Episcopal News Service] A new resource that examines cultural diversity in the Episcopal Church's ordination process has been produced by the Office for Ministry Development, in conjunction with the Episcopal Church Foundation, the Pastoral Leadership Search Effort and the Office of Ethnic Congregational Development.
"Meeting on New Ground: A Resource on Cultural Diversity in the Ordination Process," is a DVD and study guide composed of several years of research and extensive conversations with a diversity of clergy and laity involved in the Church's process of discernment, recruitment and ordination. It was produced by the Rev. Jerry Drino, executive director of Province VIII's Office of InterCultural Ministry Development and priest-in-charge of Sudanese Ministry at Trinity Cathedral in San Jose, California.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, in her introductory letter which prefaces the guide, said that "Meeting on New Ground" invites bishops, dioceses, congregations, and schools of formation for leaders "onto new ground where cultural and ethnic diversity will be the common element."
"I believe these resources will strengthen the mutuality of the church in mission and ministry," she explained. "Theses resources are meant to be a vehicle to raise the level of, and focus the strategies for, mission in diverse cultural settings."
Interviewees on the DVD include: the Rev. Dr. Michael Battle, provost of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul/Congregation of St. Athanasius in Los Angeles, and canon theologian to L.A. Bishop J. Jon Bruno; the Rev. Dr. Winifred B. Vergara, national missioner for Asian American Ministries and director of Ethnic Congregational Development; Arianne Davison of the Diocese of Olympia and the Rev. Altagracia Perez of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Two copies of "Meeting on New Ground" have been sent to members of the Standing Commission on Ministry Development, diocesan bishops and chairs on Ministry Development.
"It is my hope that these resources may truly be a gift to us all in our common life and in our journeys of community building, discernment, vocation, mission, and ministry and in the myriad ways in which we seek to meet on new ground," said Melford Holland, coordinator of the Office for Ministry Development.
To find out more about "Meeting on New Ground" call Holland at 800-334-7626 ext. 5246.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_92009_ENG_HTM.htm
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Catalyst: "Shopping for GodR: How Christianity Went from In Your Heart to In Your Face" from Simon & Schuster, Inc., by James T. Twitchell, 324 pages, hardcover, c. 2007, $26
[Source: Simon & Schuster, Inc.] Not so long ago religion was a personal matter that was seldom discussed in public. No longer. Today religion is everywhere, from books to movies to television to the internet -- to say nothing about politics. Now religion is marketed and advertised like any other product or service. How did this happen? And what does it mean for religion and for our culture?
Just as we shop for goods and services, we shop for church. A couple of generations ago Americans remained in the faith they were born into. Today, many Americans change their denomination or religion, sometimes several times. Churches that know how to appeal to those shopping for God are thriving. Think megachurches. Churches that don't know how to do this or don't bother are fading away. Think mainline Protestant churches.
Religion is now celebrated and shown off like a fashion accessory. We can wear our religious affiliation like a designer logo. But, says James Twitchell, this isn't because Americans are undergoing another Great Awakening; rather, it's a sign that religion providers -- that is, churches -- have learned how to market themselves. There is more competition among churches than ever in our history. Filling the pew is an exercise in salesmanship, and as with any marketing campaign, it requires establishing a brand identity. Successful pastors ("pastorpreneurs," Twitchell calls them) know how to speak the language of Madison Avenue as well as the language of the Bible.
In this witty, engaging book, Twitchell describes his own experiences trying out different churches to discover who knows how to "do church" well. He takes readers into the land of karaoke Christianity, where old-style contemplative sedate religion has been transformed into a public, interactive event with giant-screen televisions, generic iconography (when there is any at all), and ample parking.
To order: Episcopal Books and Resources, online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org or call 800-903-5544 -- or visit your local Episcopal bookseller, http://www.episcopalbooksellers.org