On Saturday, March 29, the American Anglican Council’s Canon Phil Ashey became the Rt. Rev. Phil Ashey of the Anglican Diocese of Western Anglicans. The service took place at the Presbyterian Church of the Master, which kindly allowed for the diocese to use their building due to the size of the crowd. The service was a moving display of liturgy, praise and worship, international support, encouragement, and fellowship. Bishops from East Africa joined with ACNA bishops to celebrate the consecration and show the support that Bishop Phil has garnered from ministry partners across the globe.
The processional included those international and provincial bishops, as well as clergy from around the Diocese of Western Anglicans. They processed to I Bind Unto Myself Today, the hymn based on St. Patrick’s Breastplate, an early Celtic prayer and one of Bishop Phil’s favorite hymns.
The service was a mix of contemporary and ancient worship, with a liturgy reflective of Bishop Phil’s past experience in Anglo Catholic, high church, reformed, and charismatic congregations both here and in churches around the world. This combination of various styles matched his love for all the corners of the Anglican Church in whatever style they worship, wherever the church flourishes with biblical faithfulness, fervent prayer, and healthy growth.
Scripture readings were read in English and in various languages that touch upon places in the Anglican Communion that have deeply affected the Anglican Realignment and, subsequently, Bishop Phil’s own growth as an Anglican Christian and priest. The Old Testament reading was read first in Telugo, a language spoken in India; the New Testament reading was read in Igbo, a language spoken in Nigeria; and the Gospel was read in both English and Spanish, which reflects the bilingual culture of Southern California. Bishop Phil’s daughters also participated in the service, with Kirsten Ashey reading the Old Testament in English and Carol Ashey translating the readings into sign language.
The sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. Thad Barnum, Bishop Phil’s spiritual director and friend of many years. Bishop Thad preached on the heart of a shepherd and the importance of love in the shepherd’s heart being the most important qualification for the ministry of bishop. He spoke on his own experience with the Rev. Terry Fullam during the Anglican renewal movement, who warned of the importance of keeping a shepherd’s heart that guides and teaches so that wolves do not come into the Church and rob her of what the Spirit was doing. This reflects the message from the reading in 1 Peter 5:2-3, about a heart that guides but also protects, maintaining love but also careful guidance, because the Devil is waiting to destroy the flock as much as he can. Bishop Phil will now take on this sober mantle for the believers in the Diocese of Western Anglicans. “It’s not about what the sheep can do for you,” preached Bishop Thad, “but about serving the ones that God has given you.” The temptation is always there to use the sheep rather than serve them, but through the Holy Spirit’s help, we can move closer to the heart of Christ as we walk out our ministry of service.
After the sermon, Bishop Phil was exhorted and examined by the Archbishop of the ACNA, the Most Rev. Steve Wood. He was then consecrated by three ACNA bishops: the Most Rev. Robert Duncan, Archbishop Emeritus of the ACNA; the Rt. Rev. Dr. Keith Andrews, now Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Western Anglicans; and the Rt. Rev. Eric Menees, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin. The choir and cantors sang the Veni, Creator Spiritus in a powerful rendition of the chant traditionally sung at the moment of consecration, when the Spirit is called down upon the ordinand in order to empower him to perform the work of his new office.
Before Holy Communion, Bishop Onesmus Asiimwe, Bishop of the Diocese of North Kigezi, Uganda, brought greetings from the Church of Uganda. He also traveled here with Bishop Alfred Olwa of the Diocese of Lango to lend their support to Bishop Phil. In his greeting, Bishop Onesmus said, “We are here not just to support Bishop Phil but to strengthen our partnership for the sake of the Gospel.”
The spirit of this gathering was celebratory and participatory, not only from the bishops and clergy but from an exuberant and enthusiastic crowd. It showed the great influence, respect, and friendship that Bishop Phil and Julie Ashey have gathered for themselves over the years through their ministries in various parts of the country and, especially through his work in the AAC, in various parts of the world. It was impressive to see the amount of support that was here and the distance that many traveled in order to be at the service. “It is an honor to be consecrated as the next bishop of this diocese.” Bishop Phil stated. “And it’s also daunting! But Julie and I are confident that the Lord will be with us and that the people of this diocese will also be with us as we begin this journey together.”
As Bishop Phil begins his ministry in the Diocese of Western Anglicans, he will remain President of the American Anglican Council. The Rev. Canon Mark Eldredge, Director of Anglican Revitalization Ministries, will be the new acting CEO, taking on the role of vision-casting and direction as the AAC moves into this new season. Please keep Bishop Phil Ashey in your prayers as he takes on this new spiritual role, and keep Canon Mark and the AAC in your prayers as they enter into this new season of Gospel ministry both here in North America and around the globe.
