Christ Church is the large Plano congregation that left the Episcopal Church last year.
It’s joined a currently small American Anglican group. Here’s a bit of the news release:
Leadership of the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiAs) welcomes the decision of Christ Church Plano to affiliate with their missionary outreach. The vestry, or lay board, of Christ Church, voted January 22, 2007 to join the Anglican Mission after months of study and discernment. The Rev. Canon David H. Roseberry, rector of Christ Church, announced this decision via email to the Christ Church congregation on Friday, January 26 as well as during worship services on January 27 and 28.
“We celebrate Christ Church’s affiliation with Anglican Mission, and I believe our partnership will result in strong kingdom ministry,” said the Rt. Rev. Charles H. Murphy, III, Chairman of the Anglican Mission in the Americas. “Under David Roseberry’s visionary leadership, Christ Church has established and maintained a strong commitment to missionary outreach at home and abroad. Christ Church brings demonstrated talent and a strong team to Anglican Mission,” Bishop Murphy added.
Christ Church disassociated from the Episcopal Church in September 2006 and has been under the temporary oversight of the Rt. Rev. Bill Godfrey, Bishop of the Diocese of Peru, who offered enthusiastic support of Christ Church’s affiliation with the Anglican Mission. In outlining their reasons for choosing to affiliate with the Anglican Mission, Christ Church leaders cited a common sense of mission, purpose, and values. Christ Church and AMiAs share a primary commitment to reach those who do not yet know the love of Jesus Christ. The Anglican Mission’s full connection to the worldwide Anglican Communion was also a determining factor in Christ’s Church’s decision.
“This is a great opportunity for our parish and for our future,” said Canon Roseberry. “It insures that we can continue just as we have been: on mission for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is what this transition and realignment has been about.”
“Our stated mission is to make disciples and teach them to obey the commands of Christ. And now we can continue this work within the family of the Anglican Communion and in the company of a growing group of committed leaders in the AMiA,” he added.
Christ Church joins five other Anglican Mission congregations in Texas: All Saints, Houston; BridgePoint Church, Austin; HopePointe Church, the Woodlands; Mesa Community Church, Austin and St. Cyprian’s International Church, Amarillo. Anglican Mission leaders in Texas expressed delight at Christ Church’s affiliation.
“What a joy it brings to my heart that it would please God to have called both a dear friend and brother, David Roseberry, and a great community of faith, Christ Church Plano, to the work and ministry of the Anglican Mission in the Americas,” said the Rev. Clark W.P. Lowenfield, rector of HopePointe Church, The Woodlands.
“Having rejoiced for years in what the Lord has done and continues to do through the leadership and vision at Christ Church, it does not surprise me that God would want to use the good work he has already begun in them to encourage and plant churches in a mission movement as vibrant as the Anglican Mission. God’s calling on their hearts as a church, yoked with our calling as a Mission, can only bring blessings,” he continued.
“Christ Church Plano is passionately committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word,” said the Rev. Matthew S. Kessler, lead pastor of MESA Community Church, Austin. “It will be a blessing to partner with God together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, raise up leaders, and plant churches so that in Texas and beyond, everyone might come to know the One true Living God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We joyfully welcome Christ Church Plano to the Anglican Mission family.”
The Anglican Mission in the Americas, a missionary outreach of the Anglican Province of Rwanda, has added on average one church every three weeks since it was established in 2000. Its mission is centered on reaching the 130 million un-churched in the US. In the last seven years, the Anglican Mission has grown from eight to 109 affiliates with over 70 other groups in various stages of formation.
For more information on Christ Church Plano and their discernment process, visit:
http://www.christchurchplano.org/
http://www.christchurchplano.org/amia/
{HT- Dallas Morning News}
AMAZING GREY CITY 