I have just returned from the “Rectors’ Summit for Vision and Planning” (RSVP). The American Anglican Council and LeaderWorks co-hosted the four-day event at The Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville, NC. We gathere d 25 Rectors of multi-staff congregations, as well as those who are moving in that direction, from all over the Anglican Church in North America. We had some who have been in ministry for many years, and some who have many years ahead of them. We had senior rectors of well-known congregations, and those not so well known but growing. We had leaders of church-starts, and those who are supervising them and others. We had clergy from urban centers, suburbs and even resort-destinations. It was a rich gathering. The Rev. Canon David Roseberry of LeaderWorks, The Rev. Geoff Chapman, Rector of St. Stephen’s Sewickley PA, and myself were there to help shape the teaching and to facilitate. But we all had an experience of collaborative learning as virtually everyone present shared during the presentation, in “panel discussions” on hard topics, in walks together up and down the mountain, and much of our time in small groups.

The American Anglican Council has been doing much of this kind of clergy leadership development through our Clergy Leadership Training Institutes, and specifically the intentional joining together of teaching on the inner life of the leader with best practices. I observed us reach a new level of integration at this gathering. It’s not easy to hold these two things together. Often we focus on either the inner life or the sharing of best practices. God was gracious in bringing us together, and keeping us together, around both of these emphases. I want to recognize our worship leader Mr. Dwight Huthwaite, and our on-site intercessors (who wish to remain anonymous) for helping us stay in the atmosphere of God’s grace throughout our time together!

Here are a sprinkling of comments I picked up from those who participated:

“I’ve waited nine years for a conference like this that focused on the inner life of the leader and soul care”

 

“I was blessed by the spirit of generosity, vulnerability and honesty throughout, and especially in our small groups”

 

“What we covered this week was exactly what I cover in a typical week as a Rector—including the need to care for my own soul”

 

“I need this kind of collaborative community of Anglican leaders from all over the country to share ways of keeping pace with the changes in our culture, and how we can reach people more effectively with Christ’s love”

“I needed this gathering to test with other Rectors what is working in their personal lives and ministry, and what is not. This was a great time to stop, listen, reevaluate and collaborate with others.”

Please pray for us as we seek the next steps forward. We will have more to share, I am sure!  But in the meantime thank you for your prayers.

The Rev. Canon Phil Ashey is President and CEO of the American Anglican Council.