Anglican 1000 Spotlights The MSJ

“At our recently concluded Society Gathering, we were blessed to have Canon Jon Lumanog as our featured guest teacher,” says the Rt. Rev. Frederick G. Fick, “As the MSJ [Missionaries of St. John] gathered for encouragement, refreshment, instruction, worship and fellowship, the Holy Spirit ministered among us, re-charging us for the works He has given us to do. We left our gathering as people more committed and greatly empowered to continue our many works, our church planting, and our witness for our Savior. We were so honored to have Canon Lumanog among us to teach, instruct and inspire us. The messages were most timely as we are launching two new church plants in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky and the Lake Villa area of northern Illinois.”

The Venerable Dr. Jon I. Lumanog, the Canon for Provincial and Global Mission for ACNA, was the featured speaker at a recentMissionaries of St. John gathering in Clinton Township, MI. Canon Lumanog brought greetings from Archbishop Robert Duncan and then taught leaders from Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Kentucky and Illinois on church planting, community ministry along with overcoming clergy burnout.

The Missionaries of St. John is an evangelical catholic religious order that expresses its rule of life by living out the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in the venerable tradition of Anglican missionary societies. The order is canonically resident in the ACNA’s Missionary Diocese of All Saints.

Canon Lumanog recently joined Archbishop Duncan in carrying out the work of the Province with its missionary partners. He challenged MSJ to be a part of the Anglican 1000 movement to raise up 1,000 Anglican congregations and communities of faith across North America to reach people with the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

The gathering ended on Friday night with a Holy Communion service led by Bishop Frederick G. Fick, MSJ Father General. It was a spirited time of praise that included a reception of new members. The gathering was hosted by Church of St. John the Apostle in Clinton Township, MI, Fr. Terry Moore, Rector.

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Canon Jack Lumanog At MSJ Gathering

The Venerable Dr. Jon (Jack) Lumanog, the new Canon for Provincial and Global Mission (ACNA), was the featured speaker at the annual Synod of The Missionary Society of St John the Evangelist (MSJ), held 11-13 August at St John the Apostle Anglican Church, Clinton Township, Michigan.

Canon Jack offered a realistic but inspiring review of his experiences in church planting and ministry. He shared with the clergy and lay delegates the keys that he personally had found valuable in navigating the challenges of starting with a church of just nine members and growing it to well over 70 members and a variety of strong lay-led ministries. Many of the strategies began as his personal involvement with the community beyond the “parish borders,” including ministry on the campus of the University of Michigan in Lansing, and working with other, much larger, churches to supply food for the hungry. Among the achievements he holds dearest is his fellowship with Sudanese refugees and the result that they have established their own growing Christian fellowship. He encouraged MSJ members to maintain a balance between ministry and family, noting that sacrificing family time for the work of the ministry often destroys both, but that keeping the proper borders and boundaries can give new life and energy to both as well, especially as one comes to know, trust and rely on the laypeople who take on the Work of the Kingdom within and without the “normal parish” paradigm. His simple re-telling of the basic principles of church-evangelism and then the imaginative ways he put them into practice, often by what appeared to be “God's back door,” offered members of the Society refreshment for their souls and inspiration for the work of the coming year.

Although not yet relocated from Lansing to Pittsburgh, speaking to the delegates of the MSJ Synod was Canon Jack’s first function in his new role, and those in attendance felt his sincerity and passion for the missionary vision which is at the Society's heart and the heart of his new post at the Archbishop's side. The members present remain deeply grateful to Abp. Robert Duncan for encouraging Canon Jack to spend this time with us, that the bonds of affection between the Society and the Primate may be further developed by our common vision for the salvation of the lost and our commitment to the up-building of the faithful. The Society offers Canon Jack its heartiest congratulations and prayers for God's rich blessing on his new service within the larger Church.

More Memories From The Gathering 2011

Memories Of The Gathering 2011

Society Gathers

As the Missionaries of St John travel to Clinton Township, MI for the Society's Gathering, we offer these prayers from the Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty and everlasting Father, who hast given the Holy
Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we beseech thee, with
his grace and presence, the bishop and the other clergy and
the laity soon to be assembled in thy Name, that thy Church,

being preserved in true faith and godly discipline,

may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and
gave himself for it, thy Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who
liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole
body of thy faithful people is governed and sanctified:
Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before
thee for all members of thy holy Church, that in their
vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve thee;
through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and
reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.