Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes Merging

New Wine Mission was one of the original Anglican Mission In America (AMIA) churches of the Heart of North America (HONA). We have now been informally received into the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes (ADGL) which is a diocese of the emerging Anglican Province called the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA). We will be officially received in to the Diocese at the next annual gathering in April 2013.

Our new Bishop, Roger Ames, of the ADGL invited all his clergy and transferring HONA leaders to a gathering in Akron, Ohio October 3-5. Here are the highlights of this significant meeting:

There were about 80 clergy (deacons, priests and bishops) in attendance. Many of these I have known through the years. For instance, Kelly Irish from Mentor, Ohio whom I first met when we attended church together back when we were in college. Kelly pastors a congregation which he has led for over a decade and which recently lost their property. He is not discouraged. They now share space with the Friends Church in town and is excited about this new stage of ministry life. I also spent time with Scott Sauders who has led an urban congregation for over 20 years in Akron, Ohio. Not only was it good to reconnect with him, for I remember him being sent out to begin a new work from our home church in the 80's, I took the time to seek his counsel about some ministry related work with the urban poor in Flint. In our new diocese we find a variety of godly men and women leaders who have sacrificed much to live out the ministry in a Biblically sound Anglican Community. Bishop Roger described the diocese as having in it three vibrant streams-the Evangelical, Charismatic and Anglo-Catholic Anglicans flowing together to support each other in our work of bringing people to Jesus. I could already see that was true.

We had strong preaching about our call to Spiritual warfare as we expect the Holy Spirit to move in power in our midst. There was ample time allotted over several meals for the clergy to share of life and ministry with each other in hopes of building what I hope will be long lasting relationships as we impact this region of the nation with an authentic expression of a living faith that is both ancient and future looking.

The most moving moment for me happened during a time of worship. After an extended time of praise, utilizing both hymnody and contemporary praise, we heard a strong teaching about "Humble Leadership" given by the Bishop's assistant Mark Scotton. Mark then called Bishop Roger forward and ask the AMIA clergy to pray over their new bishop. Then the current ADGL clergy surrounded us and prayed for our ministry and our new life together. Then Bishop Doc, who joined us at this evening service, was called to the middle of the circle to stand side by side with Roger as he recalled our journey to this point. He then symbolically passed a sword to Roger calling on him to lead us forward in taking the Gospel to the Heart of North America. All were deeply moved and we sensed this was a significant moment in marking our new life together.

As we begin to live into this new relationship with other Anglicans in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and beyond, I believe we will be surprised at what the Lord will do.