News and Information

Growing disciples and friendships: Incarnation’s growth groups
by Chuck Cross, member Uptown@Incarnation

sk Fr. Bob Johnston what the most important ministry for growing disciples at Church of the Incarnation is, and he will answer, "Growth Groups!" Growth Groups are small groups of 15 – 25 people who meet in homes every two weeks for dinner, worship (usually Compline), study, and prayer. More than just that, they provide a place for people to connect with one another in fellowship and with God.

The model for this ministry was based largely on the "pastorate" system used at Holy Trinity Brompton in London where Fr. Johnston served as a clergy-intern. During its implementation, Deacon Steve Danzey and Fr. Johnston further tailored the system. Deacon Danzey had been a small-groups pastor for many years in another tradition before becoming an Anglican. Participants have welcomed the model.

The Growth Group ministry at Incarnation started with one group in the summer of 2004. It has grown to five with a sixth one on the way. Each group has a distinctive flavor to it. The topics or books they study define some groups. Participants' social situation in life describes others. Each group has at least two trained leaders and many others that help. Uptown@Incarnation organizes and administers the Growth Groups, but they are open to anyone at Incarnation or even outside the church.

Larry Tate, a parishioner in the 9 a.m. traditional service at Incarnation, recently described his experience with a Growth Group. "For more than 10 years, I've sat in the main sanctuary of our church … and been awestruck by the majesty of the worship experience. I've felt tremendously fulfilled by participating in Habitat for Humanity and the Honduras mission trips. Yet I always suspected there might be something more. I found that something more when I joined a Growth Group
at Incarnation."

Canterbury, Dallas: Rising from
the ashes!by Nate Bostian, chaplain, Canterbury, SMU

reetings from Canterbury Episcopal Ministry at Southern Methodist University! As many of you know, Canterbury is rising from the ashes! God is doing a "new thing" through incredible Canterbury board members, donors and prayer partners, clergy, and students — all working together to bring the vibrant faith and witness of the Anglican tradition to SMU and community colleges in the North Dallas area.

This last year, including SMU and community college students, we served an active congregation of over
50 students per semester with around 25 involved in any given week. In the decades before the student ministry center burned in 2003, the Canterbury program routinely had 50 to 100 students actively involved every week, with hundreds more participating on an occasional basis.

However, when the new Canterbury College Ministries Center at SMU is completed, we will be able to serve several hundred. The student body at SMU alone represents 11,000 students, only 2,000 to 3,000 of whom are involved in any student ministry. These numbers do not include the thousands of students enrolled at nearby community colleges and universities.

Thus, Canterbury House is in a unique position to serve hundreds of college students directly and provide ministry resources for thousands more. We are a vital part of the diocese's strategic plan because we are producing next-generation leaders for the diocese, the Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Communion. We function as a resource for the entire diocese by meeting the needs of the often forgotten demographic of college students and young adults.

In a superficial world with social masks and false promises, young adults are looking for deep, safe relationships where they can be who they are, "warts and all." In a world immersed in information and drowning in activities, they need a place where they can escape to think, ask honest questions, and get honest answers about the meaning of life. In a world stripped of mystery and transcendence, they need sacred space and time to connect — through meaningful worship and authentic prayer — with the God who made them. And finally, in a world that defines success largely as kingly domination of their own world, they need to find a real King to whom they can give their lives — one who will never let them down — the Lord Jesus Christ. In short, young adults need to find Christ-centered fellowship, formation, worship, and vocation. This is what Canterbury offers to collegiate and young adults through our weekly worship services, Bible studies, community meals, and coffee appointments. We also have monthly service projects and fun events, along with a Spring Break mission trip, in which we reach out to the surrounding community with Christ's Love.

But we need your help! Although our student center is almost finished, it is not complete. We need your prayers and support to "get'r done." If you would like to be part of the incredible work that God is doing at Canterbury, contact Nate Bostian (214-505-9859 or nbostian@smu.edu).

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