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Forward Today: Are we becoming a courageous church?

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Dear friends in Christ,

I’m writing this week’s Forward Today from Atlanta, where I’ve come to the Rooted in Jesus conference. Our friends at ECF have organized a massive conference, with nearly 1,500 attendees. Even more impressive than the size is the way organizations have worked together to build a conference that is, well, rooted in Jesus Christ and in our lives as his disciples.

Forward Movement is hosting a pre-conference Discipleship Intensive. I’ve really enjoyed the conversations among participants about how we can be more effective in making disciples. Not surprisingly, it has a lot to do with leaders modeling lives transformed with discipleship. Disciples making disciples.

If you are in Atlanta, please stop by the Forward Movement table in the exhibit area. Several of us are here for the conference, and we’d love to meet you. If you’re not in Atlanta, you can follow the conference hashtag (#rooted2020) on social media. I’m sure there will be lots of coverage in church media, as well as blogs and posts about what’s happening here.

Beyond this conference, I’m excited about what’s happening in our church. In many places, people are choosing to leave the comfort and safety of Christendom with its model of parishes as preservation societies for the adventure of living the Gospel. To be disciples is to live in a way that chooses transformation, that embarks on journeys, that embraces change, and that takes risks.

What might our church be like if we could be more courageous – more willing to be adventurous? Imagine a courageous church. A church like that would be worth joining, worthy of sacrifice and devotion. A church like that will inevitably grow. A church like that will burst with love and witness. A church like that will be living only for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s be that church.

Yours faithfully,

 

 

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

Today’s Flash Sale: Vestry Resource Guide & Guía de recursos

Whether you’re a new vestry member or a seasoned veteran, the newly revised (2015) Vestry Resource Guide is essential reading. With a deliberate focus on the importance of lay and clergy leadership teams, you’ll find comprehensive information and advice about the ministry of the vestry, leading faith communities, stewardship, and navigating clergy transitions.

 

Esta guía, en versión revisada, es una lectura esencial para toda persona que participa en una junta parroquial. La guía pone énfasis en la importancia de que la junta parroquial y el rector o rectora trabajen en equipo. Incluye información completa y consejos sobre el ministerio de la junta parroquial, cómo dirigir feligresías, mayordomía, y qué pasos tomar cuando cambia el clero.

 

 

Regular: $15
Today: $11.25

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Earth & Altar launches in partnership with Forward Movement

Earth & Altar and Forward MovementForward Movement is pleased to support today’s launch of Earth & Altar, an online magazine with reflections on theology, history, liturgy, preaching, spirituality, church practice, and the arts. The magazine seeks to provide accessible, thoughtful, and compelling reflections for the good of the church and God’s mission in the world. The magazine takes its name from G. K. Chesterton’s hymn text, “O God of earth and altar.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Earth & Altar as it seeks to be a much-needed voice for our church,” said the Rev. Canon Scott Gunn, executive director of Forward Movement. “The content will be of interest not just to church leaders but for all those who value thoughtful, engaging commentary on matters of interest to Christians.”

Forward Movement’s support includes publicity and awareness as well as some editorial consultation. However, Earth & Altar is entirely independent, and it will have its own editorial voice. Earth & Altar will especially seek to provide a platform for voices traditionally on the margins of the church because of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, and geography.

The Rev. Dr. Chris Corbin, who serves as editor-in-chief of Earth & Altar, said, “Earth & Altar is committed, above all else, to the idea that the Spirit is stirring something up and that the mainline can be the epicenter of a real revival. We’re so excited to be working with Forward Movement and just see that as further evidence that God is up to something in all this.”

Earth & Altar will generally feature a new article most days, with some content in Spanish. The website is earthandaltarmag.com.

About Forward Movement
Inspiring disciples and empowering evangelists around the globe every day, Forward Movement has been producing excellent, innovative resources to encourage spiritual growth in individuals and congregations for more than eighty years. Learn more and explore resources at forwardmovement.org.

Forward Today: Preparing to prepare

Dear friends in Christ,

The All Saints’ celebrations are behind us now, and that means it’s almost Advent. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to believe it’s almost that time again. Ironic isn’t it? Advent sneaks up us – the season of preparation can leave us unprepared.

I encourage you to take a few moments to think about your own Advent. What will your Advent be like this year? Will you try to find some quiet time every day? What needs to happen in your schedule to make that happen? Will you read a book or a set of devotions? Time to get that book ordered! Will you pray differently, or perhaps serve those in need in a particular way? This all requires just a bit of planning.

The scriptures exhort us to keep our lamps trimmed and burning, ready to greet our Savior at a moment’s notice. It’s a lovely image, but it means we have to get a lamp, trim the wick, and have some oil ready. In other words, we have to prepare to prepare. Now is the time to do that for our Advent season, whether we’re thinking of our church or our home.

While Forward Movement has lots of Advent resources, there are plenty of ways to observe Advent without spending any money. And of course, lots of other publishers and organizations offer resources too. My point is not to sell you things, but to encourage you to prepare to prepare.

As for me, I have some extra praying to do. And I’ll probably find myself in church a bit more often this season. What will Advent look like for you? Are you ready?

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

Today’s Flash Sale: O Wisdom

Drawn from the book of Isaiah, the O Antiphons have been sung in churches and monastic communities since at least the eighth century. These beautiful and awe-inspiring phrases present a way for us to sing along with the story of God, to ponder and praise the many names of our Lord.

Through meditations, art, poems, and photos created by people from across the church, this book offers space and time to embrace Jesus’ presence among us now—and await his coming in glory. Enjoy these prayers and praises throughout the seasons of Advent and Christmas. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Rejoice!

Contributors include: Furman Buchanan, Mariclair Partee Carlsen, Bill Carroll, Minda Cox, Lynn Domina, Vicki Bozzola Derka, Donna Z. Falcone, Alyssa Finke, Elizabeth Floyd, Andrew Garnett, Deborah Kaufman Giordano, Scott Gunn, Christine Havens, Rosalind C. Hughes, Sara Irwin, Cathy Johnson, Mark Bozzuti-Jones, Rachel Jones, Marguerite Kirchhoff, KariAnn Lessner, Pamela A. Lewis, Stephanie London, Leisa Phillips, Kathy Thaden, Richelle Thompson, and Ken Woodley.

Regular: $7
Today: $5.25

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Join us at Rooted in Jesus

This January 21-24, join Forward Movement in Atlanta for Rooted in Jesus, a church-wide gathering to talk about discipleship, leadership, formation, communications, preaching, and much more.

Rooted in Jesus - January 21-24, 2019 in Atlanta

The Forward Movement team is leading an optional Discipleship Intensive pre-conference track, schedule below. Download and print the schedule here.

We hope to see you in Atlanta! Register here.

DISCIPLESHIP INTENSIVE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
8:00 Registration
9:00 Prayer and scripture reflection
9:30 Plenary I with Jay Sidebotham
10:30 Break
11:00-noon Workshops*
12:15-1:30 Lunch
1:30 Panel discussion
2:30-3:30 Workshops*
3:30 Break
4:00 Plenary II with Lisa Kimball
5:00 Evening Prayer
5:30 Gracious hour
6:30 Dinner

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
8:00 Breakfast
8:30 Prayer
9:00 Plenary III with Miriam McKenney
10:00 Break
10:30-11:30 Workshops*
11:45 Wrap up
12:00 Peace – lunch on own

Workshop Sessions (more details coming soon):

  • Celebrate with Love, Live with Meaning; with Furman Buchanan
  • The Ministry of Intentional Small Groups on the Way of Love; with Jerusalem Greer
  • Revive and equip lay leaders to be spiritual leaders; with Dawn Davis
  • Building Empowering Diocesan Discipleship Plans; Claire Woodley
  • Baptismal Leadership in Today’s Church; with Albert Cutié

 

Learn more and register at rootedinjesus.church

Who should lead Revive?

Typically, the facilitator of the program is a ministry leader of the congregation, such as the rector, lead pastor, senior minister or another clergyperson. This is not a requirement, since anyone can lead Revive. We have purposefully used the word minister to signal that the facilitator can be ordained or lay.

However, our feedback surveys say that Revive has greatest impact in changing culture and equipping spiritual leadership when the facilitator is the senior minister and the participants hold leadership positions within the congregation.

Our surveys also indicate that the strongest reason why people were willing to participate in Revive was because their ministry leader personally invited them. If you want further evidence of the effectiveness of this model of discipleship you may want to examine Jesus’ call and spiritual formation of his disciples.

By the way, facilitators do not have to be advanced masters of spiritual direction, but they should be intentional about their own spiritual growth and open to a relational connection with God.

-Dawn Davis, Revive creator

Read more guest posts from Revive here.

To learn more, visit the Revive website.

The downloadable program materials may be purchased here.

Pre-printed Participant Guides are available here.

October Staff Picks

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Here are our staff picks for this month! All of these are great books for group studies or solo reads. Order today–October 3rd–for 10% off your purchase.

Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter

Bible Women“An interesting and empowering book. Love to hear these stories…many of which were left out of my Bible studies growing up!”

 

 

For the Beauty of the Earth: Daily Devotions Exploring Creation

“The gorgeous watercolor paintings by Kathrin Burleson make this book special. And I enjoy reading devotions based on something I so adore and connect with: nature.”

 

 

 

The Bible Challenge: Read the Bible in a Year

The Bible Challenge“Reading the Bible can be really intimidating, but The Bible Challenge makes it accessible. Can be started at any time, but I started in January, because I wanted to commit to reading more scripture this year.”

Forward Today: Christmas in October?!

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Dear friends in Christ,

This is about the time of year when I notice people online complaining about Christmas decorations appearing in stores and malls. I have even been known to join in these complaints.

The last few years, I haven’t actually minded. I’ve had a bit of an attitude change, and I want to invite you to reconsider your reaction if you see red when you see the red & green.

As I read in someone’s post several years ago, “It isn’t the job of commerce to keep the feasts. That’s what church is for.” In other words, we shouldn’t expect the mall to put up and take down their Christmas decorations according to the liturgical calendar. We do that in our churches and homes.

If I wanted to take a cynical view, I could get upset that people at the mall are trying to commercialize Jesus’ birth. Outrageous! But is it? Their job is to sell stuff. It’s our choice whether or not we buy. It’s our choice how we practice our Christmas faith. It’s our choice how we teach our children about presents and Christmas.

I try to take a more generous view now, though I confess I’m not always successful. Seeing Christmas decorations—even completely secular ones—in public offers us an occasion to talk about Jesus. “Jesus is the reason for the season” is a cliché, but it’s not wrong.

You won’t find a Christmas tree at our house until Christmas—but you will see an “Advent shrub” for most of December. You won’t find me playing Christmas music in the car before Christmastide. But when I’m out and around, I’m glad to hum along and enjoy some holiday festivity. Maybe I’ll even try to find a way to have a conversation or two about why we celebrate Christmas. And if we can manage that, isn’t it a blessing?

I’m not wishing people a merry Christmas yet, but I’m trying not to be the Grinch. How about you?

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

Image by Scott Gunn

Today’s Flash Sale: I Witness

I WitnesMany of us have heard the story of Jesus’ birth, but have we lived inside it? Episcopal priest Kate Moorehead invites us to enter the story of salvation with our hearts and minds wide open, experiencing the miracle of Jesus through the eyes of witnesses: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and others. And Moorehead encourages us to bear witness ourselves—both then and now—to the marvel and majesty of a babe born in a manger, of Christ our King. These daily devotionals offer a companion through the seasons of Advent and Christmas and urge us to keep reading, keep listening, keep learning. The story of Christ’s birth can be both familiar and new in each re-telling. Come and see.

Regular: $7
Today: $5.25

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

What do you receive when you download Revive?

Dawn Davis, creator of Revive

Revive is a one-time purchase that gives you access to all the materials you need to run the program. The only restrictions are that you not share the materials and passwords with others, and not use the program as a “consultant” with many churches and institutions.

When you purchase Revive you will receive an email with a link to download the program materials.

That download includes:

  • Introductory Letter
  • Facilitator Guide
  • Participant Guide
  • Revive Promotional Flyer

 

Within the Introductory Letter you will find the link and password which enables you to access the 30 videos presentations. We recommend you download each video to your local device, to avoid streaming challenges during a session.

The Facilitator and Participant Guides are both in the form of a PDF that you can download, print, and copy. If you’d like to avoid the copy machine, we do sell pre-printed participant guides, but those are optional since you already have all the materials.

You also have access to this blog, other resources and a community of Revive facilitators and participants who share their experiences and insights about Revive and spiritual growth.

Ultimately, what you get from Revive is a community of leaders that are excited, confident and spiritually growing in their love for God and others. Here are a few comments from former Revive participants:

“Revive gave me the yearned for opportunity to share my spiritual experiences, my doubts, to question and to listen. It challenged me out of my comfort zone and helped me be open to new experiences. It gave me a deepened spiritual relationship with God. I now seek to recognize God in the everyday stuff of life.”

“Revive has given me the confidence to share my faith with others. I now feel I’m better equipped to learn, engage, teach and lead in my church community as well as in the community at large. Thank you!”

Read more guest posts from Revive here.

To learn more, visit the Revive website.

The downloadable program materials may be purchased here.

Pre-printed Participant Guides are available here.

Forward Today: A ministry of discipleship

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Dear friends in Christ,

I’ve repeated a million times, “Forward Movement is not a publishing company. We are a discipleship company.” Sure, we publish and sell books, but our mission is to inspire disciples and empower evangelists. Sales is one way we fund our mission, and publishing is one part of our mission.

We publish lots of books on topics of discipleship and evangelism. But we also offer digital resources and courses. We work, often with others, on conferences, such as Rooted in Jesus. I hope our offerings are helpful to you and your church. Do not hesitate to contact us and let us know!

Much of what we do is offered free of charge. Sometimes we subsidize the cost of resources to keep them affordable. Every year we donate more than 100,000 pieces of literature to people who are incarcerated, to people in the military, and to those who are hospitalized. Sales certainly help us, but it’s not the only way to fund our ministry.

I’d like to invite you to support the ministry of Forward Movement in two specific ways. First, if you are buying books, please consider buying them directly from us or from your local independent bookstore. Lots of Episcopal congregations and dioceses have bookstores, and your purchase there supports them and us. If you buy from us directly, that also supports our ministry. If the best thing for you is to purchase from some of the major online websites, we certainly want you to do that. But know that we see less money from those sales, which means less funding for our ministry.

Second, if you would like to see a vibrant Forward Movement continue to work in inspiring disciples and empowering evangelists in the Episcopal Church and beyond, please consider a generous gift. We have a balanced budget, but with more support, we could offer more resources. We’d love to do that.

It is a great joy to proclaim the Good News of God in Jesus Christ in our work at Forward Movement. I’m grateful for all the support you’ve already given, and I thank you in advance for all you and your church can do to help us reach more people.

Blessings to you all.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

Today’s Flash Sale: For the Beauty of the Earth

For the Beauty of the EarthGod saw every living thing that was made, and indeed, it was very good. -Genesis 1:31

Dance along with the wind of God, be bathed in the primal waters, and look with awe and wonder on the myriad creatures God has made. Spend a day, a week, a month, or the whole year basking in the wonder of both fruit and flower, night and day, and everything thing that creeps upon the good earth. You are part and parcel of the very good creation God has made.

Join watercolor artist Kathrin Burleson and diverse voices from across The Episcopal Church in exploring the wonders of Creation and the beauty of the Creator. Burleson’s Creation-inspired watercolors offer inspiring visualizations that enhance the book’s 365 daily meditations, written by authors across the church and across the country.

Regular: $20
Today: $15

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Forward Today: Making time for prayer

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Dear friends in Christ,

This gets to be a busy time of year for lots of people, especially for those who have kids at home. School has started, along with all its activities. And these days, there are extra sports and lessons and so forth for many families. It’s hard to fit it all in to 24 hours and seven days.

Of course, it’s not just families with kids. We live and work in a world that expects us to be “on” all the time. Emails must be answered. Mobile phones are standard equipment. Retirees I know sometimes tell me they’re busier after retirement than before!

Everything pushes us to stay busy all the time. And that’s too bad. Because I think that staying busy is antithetical to our call as disciples of Jesus Christ. It’s not how we’re meant to live.

People love to point out how Jesus said the sabbath was made for us, not us for the sabbath. But do you notice something? Jesus keeps the sabbath! Jesus goes to gardens and quiet places to pray. Jesus rested, just as God the Father commanded him to do. Yes, when God issued us the Ten Commandments, one of the most important things we are to do is keep a day for rest and to honor God.

It’s not going to just happen. Rest has to be scheduled. If you want to develop a prayer life, put it on your calendar. If you want to spend time with scripture, schedule some Bible reading. Jesus famously said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I like to imagine he would also say, “Where your calendar is, there your heart will be also.”

I encourage you to set aside time for rest, time for prayer. It will probably mean saying no to a few things, and that’s OK. If you have kids at your house, the Grow Christians blog has lots of tips for ways to engage in intergenerational conversation, prayer, and learning.

As you receive this, I’m starting a vacation. Practicing what I preach, I’m looking forward to some rest. With any luck, I’ll even get bored. And that kind of rest and refreshment is essential for my journey as a follower of Jesus Christ. It’s not always easy to make this happen, but it’s always worth the effort, I’ve learned. How will you rest? When will you pray?

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

Image: Daughters of Melody Wilson Shobe color an Advent calendar.

Today’s Flash Sale: Living Reconciliation

In a world often defined by differences, Christians are called to be reconciled reconcilers. Inspired by the indaba process of deep listening and seeking common ground, this book shares stories of profound reconciliation from around the Anglican Communion. Written by staff of the Anglican Communion Office and with a foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Living Reconciliation explores how reconciliation is at the heart of mission and a guiding principle of scripture.

Regular: $12
Today: $9

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time