Bonnie Anderson travels across the Episcopal Church to advance the work of deputies between the conventions and to preach and teach about the ministry of the baptized. Read about her recent work here. For more information about Bonnie's work throughout the church, visit the Out & About page.
Forecasting the Future: We Must Face 'Adaptive Challenge' Carefully and Creatively
This article originally appeared in Episcopal Journal
Like many church leaders, I've been thinking about the need to reform/restructure the Episcopal Church.
The demographic reasons are clear: like other mainline denominations, our church's membership is declining. Since 2000 it has decreased by 16 percent, and we lose about 50,000 members each year.
Because, in large measure, it is the laity who fund the church, declining membership means declining revenue. The church's draft proposed budget for the 2013-2015 triennium includes $105 million in revenue available for operations, a reduction from the 2010-2012 forecast of $109 million.
Like so many crises, however, this one has provided the church with an opportunity. As the world around us changes, the church must also change.
Read more: Forecasting the Future: We Must Face 'Adaptive Challenge' Carefully and Creatively
By Young Adults: A Short Video Clip Project
Dreams of Church is a video project being launched on behalf of the House of Deputies by Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies, Sean McConnell, House of Deputies Technology Consultant, and Lydia Kelsey Bucklin, PHOD Special Projects Manager.
Young adults between the ages of 18 to 30 are invited to post 60-90 second video clips, answering the following:
"Describe the religious community or church of your dreams, and how you will participate in it."
Some of the submitted video clips will be shown in the House of Deputies at General Convention 2012.
Download the Dreams of Church flyerFeatured Voice
| Not a Priest, But Active in Leadership and Governance |
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When I was in high school, the Diocese of Western Michigan held annual youth conventions. Like any good convention in the Episcopal Church, the convention allowed the filing of resolutions. For several years I served on what would usually be called the resolutions committee, but being silly young people we called the committee "The Big Words Committee." I realized recently that my service on General Convention standing committees and diocesan committees dealing with the Constitution and Canons suggests that I haven't really traveled very far since my high school days. The ability to serve my church with my gifts and talents is something that I have been thankful for throughout my life.Between Conventions
| Taking the Archives into the Future |
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The Episcopal Archives is an asset of great value that needs to be enabled to be of even greater value. It provides loving support to parishes, dioceses, lay and clergy leaders, and scholars in drawing insight and vision from the vital documents and records of the Episcopal Church throughout its history. In spite of severe limitations in their current facilities and equipment, the Archives' extraordinary staff helps to lay the groundwork for understanding the Church today and preparing it to move forward wisely and well.
