EPiscopal Branch: Jesus Movement

“We are the EPISCOPAL BRANCH, of the JESUS MOVEMENT” -Presiding Bishop Micheal Curry


Recently I was asked to participate and also present at a conference called “Gathering of Leaders” to reflect on the theme of Evangelism in our current age. In particular what it means to me personally to be part of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement as our Presiding Bishop is famous for saying. I’m sharing some of my thoughts collected for that presentation with you. 


I grew up for the most part in the Episcopal church in a Roman Catholic household. My mothers family is Irish-Catholic and so while she chose to take me weekly to the Episcopal church- all things at home still had the catholic flavor. Church for me was an Holy Obligation. We never missed church for any reason. Sunday after Sunday we attended- with strict orders that we didn’t eat until after mass and always wore our best clothes and shoes (that never fit, btw). We listened to the sermon and stuck around for coffee. During Lent and other seasons we fasted from red meat and other items we “gave up” as part of the devotion. I was taught to pray the rosary and had devotion cards and a bible. 


Like many people I don’t know how seriously I took my faith. It was real- but more of a habit than a genuine part of my life and daily thinking. I definitely thought of myself as Christian and tried to be careful not to sin, etc. However my faith was not one of the heart, yet. 


I attend church camps and happenings and eventually participated in college groups as well. I had tons of christian friends and non-christian friends. Eventual I found myself several years into college and very much headed down a road that was not going to be good. I was lost in terms of my relationships and purpose for life and was not doing well in most any area of my life.  I got a birthday card from an old friend and camp counselor that was an invitation to reconnect. This person happened to be a monk- and in a very compulsive moment I quickly called and soon headed to go see him and spend a week at the monastery. 


In many ways what happened that week was ordinary. The prayers were similar to what I had been a part of all my life- but my heart was broken and very open. I was desperate for something more in my life. In the quiet contemplation one morning I had a very heartfelt time of prayer- and made a commitment to get back to my faith. I began praying daily, got re-involved in my local church and started reading the bible and other faith commentaries. I found my life transformed and new paths began to open for me. I also found the church- and was suddenly thrust into leadership of a youth group- something that would further transform me. I found Jesus for the first time on my own- and began to model my life as best I could around his teachings. 


Recently- I was watching a short testimony by Bono of the Irish Rock Band U2. In it he was reflecting on his own faith struggles and purposes in his life. He said, “You're absolutely right; it's a much grander vision (being a follower of Christ). ... We have a pastor who said to us, "Stop asking God to bless what you're doing, Bono." ... He said, "Find out what God is doing, 'cause it's already blessed." ... When you align yourself with God's purpose as described in the Scriptures, something special happens to your life.” I have found the exact same thing in my own life- the walk of faith is aligning your life with God and God’s purposes. 


So exactly what does that mean? Each day I pray to be open to the purposes for which God might use me as a priest, leader and passionate person. Through daily prayer and study- I try to aline my life in such a way that leads me on this very path. In terms of what we are doing as a community at St. Thomas, I believe we have been lead to more and more align our faith community with the purposes for which God can and does use us. God is certainly alive in this place and in our lives. 
The world around us is a very broken place. There is violence, greed, contention, division and evil: This is unfortunately not new. We are called to align our lives, commit ourselves to and work for God’s purposes in the world around us- now more than ever. In doing so we become the very thing our Presiding Bishop is calling us toward- the Jesus movement in this place. 


                            That’s my story and I’m sticking to it…..