By now most visitors to this site will have heard that I have been nominated by the USA council of AMiA bishops, and then elected Bishop by the House of Bishops in Rwanda (PEAR). The official consecration—details to come—is scheduled for September of this year. This is both a huge privilege and great surprise.
It is big shocker because in the past I would have never thought of myself as an Anglican. While I admired and respected Robert Webber from a distance, I was not one of those people on the Canterbury Trail. I’ve often said over the last six months that this has all come out of the blue for me. The story is too long to write in a brief blog, but I am just starting a book that will tell the whole story. I look forward to telling this story, because in hindsight I can now see many important ways in which God was preparing me for this role.
But, just before we move from surprise to the privilege, let me say that my journey in the Anglican Church is in no way a negative comment on my past: my Methodist upbringing, my conversion in Calvary Chapel, my deep and profound connection to Vineyard Churches, or my experience with Alpha USA. I am genuinely grateful for the contributions those ministries have made to my life—they have been the stuff of my ministry life for 34 years. I did not look around the ecclesiastical landscape—the way one might choose a new shirt in a department store—and select Anglicanism because I think it is superior to the churches of my past or the other church movements in America. This was sheer, unforeseen calling.
Todd Wearing Vestments, Administering Eucharist
While the above paragraph is totally true, I am not unhappy about this new direction in my life. The more I study Anglican history and theology, the more I love it and feel at home. I’m still pretty uncomfortable with all the vestments and some other stuff, but I’ll figure that out as I go along on this Spirit-ride. I am willing to be uncomfortable in my own skin for a while not just to obey the calling of God, but I see in Anglicanism a huge treasure chest that I, as a missionary to the secular West Coast, can update (a la Cranmer’s preface) for our use. Here are a few examples:
I studied business in college. One cannot study business without coming in contact with the writing of Peter Drucker. In my experience, one of Drucker’s best insights is that one creates a preferable future by “building on islands of health and strength”. In the Anglican treasure chest I find health and strength that can be updated by the Spirit and used by God to draw many outsiders and church-alumni to a new life of following Jesus for the sake of others.
[1] Anglicanism, 77.
June 24th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Hey Todd this is great news – with this trajectory you’ll be the Arch-bishop of Canterbury by Christmas.
Every best wish to you.
-Christian
June 25th, 2009 at 6:08 am
Wow, Todd. Congratulations! Not so much on the new title as how rightfully happy you are to be joining with the Anglican mission in service of God and people. I’m so happy for you and the many you serve, both near and far.
June 25th, 2009 at 7:30 am
[...] then goes on to give a few of his favorite “treasures” in the Anglican chest, and treasures they truly are. If you’re on the missional/formational trail, but not on the [...]
June 25th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Thanks T–that is a very kind report!
Peace,
Todd
June 27th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Congratulations! I can truly relate to your journey. I was raised Baptist, spent 10 years in the world, re-dedicated my life in a Charismatic church and have been a Quaker for the last 10. I figure the next stop on my journey may be the Episcopalian church
All kidding aside, I appreciate what you’ve shared and wish you all God’s best.
July 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
There is a process of spiritual formation that takes place within the liturgical tradition that cannot be short-circuited by charisma, popularity, publishing record or public speaking ability … and it takes longer that a few short years. A bishop-elect? Count me as astounded.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Hey Jon,
Count me as astounded too!
Say a prayer for me that God will use my strengths to serve well in this capacity while giving me grace to minimize my weaknesses!
Peace,
Todd
July 12th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Bishop-Elect:
If I may address Jon Houser’s comments: Todd was elected by men of God, who see a nation filled with people who need Jesus Christ! Todd was my a seminary professor of mine at GFES, and I can assure you God can accelerate spirutal formation for the good of His church. Bishop-Elect I have great confidence that this is your time! You were called by God first and foremost, and I thank God for it. I stand by you, and I am glad you are representing this particular communion of the “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.”
July 14th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Hi John,
Thanks for your kind a generous remarks. I sincerely understand some people think my election is unusual…or worse!
I am still getting used to it myself. But I have been starting and supervising churches (the role of a missionary bishop) for 30 years, so I hope to use that experience within a liturgical tradition.
I think Jon would have better point if I were going to be a diocesan bishop. I would not do that for the reasons he suggests and other reasons of my own. I am surrounding myself with both Bishops and Canons who can more than make up for my glaring weaknesses…it’s beautiful…the body of Christ in action!
Anyway…I am at peace knowing that all sorts of people are going to have all sorts of opinions on my work over the next decades.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Bishop Hunter,
I would like to help plant an ACNA church in Portland, Oregon.
I’ve made contact with folks representing the Diocese in formation of Cascadia. We are involved in the Citywide Alpha invitation here as well. We have friends in (and out of) Alpha NA (from back in the Ali H. and Peter B. days), ACNA (David A.), and AAC (we started the local chapter). I suspect you will be missioning in Portland? Can we talk?
Blessings,
Rick Carlin
July 14th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Bishop-Elect:
I agree with you, that is my point exactly. What you bring to the plate is years of passion for the lost, and thinking through the eyes of the lost. If TEC had Bishops who were more concerned about the Kingdom and evangelism they would not be in the mess they are in. We are not Anglicans, first, we are Christians, and you have been formed spiritually by some mighty men of God. I just want to stand up for you and show support, because I think some are being overly critical and making the minors, majors. I took your evangelism class at GFES, and I know you bleed for people who are from God, and that is the type of Bishop I would follow, I could care less, if my Bishop knows all the jot’s and tittles of Anglicanism, I am more concerned about their passion for Christ and His mission, while not down playing our rich heritage. I feel like people assume this happened because of your publishing record and moderate fame
But I have studied under you, and your a man of God, and I am thankful God has made you a servant of the servants! I encourage people to speak in a loving manner and not judge the election made by men of God who laid everything down to maintain Orthodox Anglicanism in our country. We need to lift you up in prayer and encourage you to go with God in this great West Coast mission! I am thankful your on our team. BTW–do you remember George Hemingway+ Keep him in your prayers!
“No weapon formed against you will prosper!”
With my love and support!
John Hallock + (CANA)
PS- Please at least wear a mitre one time after you are made Bishop
July 14th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Hi Rick,
Email me at todd@c4so.org and we can make a time to talk next week.
Peace,
Todd
July 27th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
[...] history moves on and Todd Hunter has been elected Bishop in the newly formed Anglican Mission in the Americas. I wish Todd and the Anglican Mission [...]
August 11th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
I am unusually drawn to traditions like creed, rhythms and confessions. Though foreign, yet natural in one. I graduated from VLI last year and I count myself an alien to this world of liturgy. It’s like a language I do not know, fumbling for the right words and grasping to understand the significance of it all. Maybe that’s the fresh approach you bring Todd. Tradition can become a comfortable ritual, unless one can balance the significance of it’s meaning. What I am sure about is that there is a calling of God for every man, and hearing that call and walking in that obedience is ultimately the right place to be.
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:32 am
Todd
Many many congratulations on your election. I continue as Chair of Soul Survivor, but recently moved from being Bishop of Maidstone to become the Archbishops’ Missioner. I head up the national C of E and methodist team encouraging the planting of ‘fresh expressions of church’ among unchurched people in the UK.
Assuring you of my prayers for your consecration. Graham Cray
August 29th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Dear Father Hunter,
I recently came across your story in Christianity Today and just checked out your site. A longtime Anglo-Catholic, I congratulate you on the beginning of a wonderful journey into the heart of sacramental Christianity, and Christ. My third novel, Inheritance, is about the history of Christianity in England, with an emphasis on the Anglican Church and the sacramental actions of God in history. I’d love to send you a copy when it is released next month – let me know where to send it.
While I have long been part of the APCK, I am aware of the mission of the “Anglican Mission in America.”
Congratulations on your election and may God work through you.
Faithfully,
Christine Sunderland
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:04 am
As a recently ordained deacon in the Anglican Church, I can fully sympathize with your spiritual journy. I was baptized an Episcopalian as an infant, confirmed as a Presbyterian at age 10, drifted away from the church while in the military, became a Baptist at the age of 25 when I returned to the faith, migrated into a firm Presbyterian church where I served as an elder for over 20 years, then discovered Anglicanism. It was the Eucharist that brought we into Anglicanism, and missions and evangelism that brought me specifically to the AMiA. I, too, am getting used to the vestments. But the Holy Spirit is at work in the AMiA, lives are being transformed, people are coming to Christ and the Word is preached as well as pictured in the communion. What more can one ask for? We are so blessed!
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Hey Christine,
Thanks for you warm words!
You can send the book to:
2973 Harbor Blvd. # 273
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Best blessings on the book!
Todd
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Hey David,
Great to meet you in this space!
Todd
September 7th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Hey Todd,
I hung out with you when you did a Vineyard conference in Sydney. I remember telling you that I was on the same journey but I lost touch with you. I am with Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches which i think are in some kind of relationship and I was in the Vineyard too. How cool to have a fellow pilgrim !
Fr Brad Bessell
September 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Hi Brad,
Thanks for the greeting!
Peace,
Todd
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Hi Todd, I am fascinated by your journey. I too find myself looking over the fence at Anglicanism. By the way, when in your journey did you go for ordination?
Mick
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hi Mick,
This all happened very suddenly and quickly for me–I don’t think I am the best model!
I was asked to pursue ordination and consecration as bishop in order to best carry our my calling to plant hundreds of Anglican Churches.
Peace,
Todd
November 4th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Hi Todd,
And Blessings from a fellow-pilgrim in Australia. My own pilgrimage began in the UK when as a teenager I came to Christ at St Andrew’s, Chorleywood during the early Wimber visits ‘81/’82. My start point in the faith was Anglican with a Vineyard gloss. So I have always felt there was an affinity there!
You, Todd, are certainly a wonderful gift to the Anglican espicopate. I am sorry to say that my own experience of Anglican episcopacy has been overwhelmingly negative. Time and again in my own story and the story of innumerable other good ministers I have seen the epicopate act as an agency for paralysis. So I am sincerely thankful for your introduction the Bishops’ bench.
I am sure that you will be a wonderful agent for change within the Episcopal system. And as a hopeful contemplative I affirm much of what you have shared in the articles I’ve read reflecting on your journey into the rhythms and dynamics of parish life and into the Anglican episcopate. I believe strongly in the potential for a renewal of contemplative life through the patterns of parish life. And I love that sideways pastoral approach that can follow connections with people through the liturgy multi-faceted ltirgy of parish life. Had the climate that has welcomed you been present twenty years ago, perhaps the Anglican fold would not have lost the great numbers of devout, missional clergy that it has.
But, I have to say there is some sadness, too, for those of us who have moved the other way – sometimes for the sake of obedience to the Gospel, and often for the sake of democratising initiative within the churches, for blessing and serving initiatives other those those authorised and initiated by clergy, for promoting forms of church centred on people-reaching-people -rather than on maintaining the rounds of in-church programs and devotional activity – to which, historically, we in the churches seem to turn by default when over-daunted by the Great Commission.
As I mentioned the other day on my own website http://www.paulwallis.net though your translation is certainly happy news for the Anglican Church, it is at the same time sad for those of us seeking to build missional life in the emergent/missional scene to lose you. And would it be fair to say, it’s possibly a bad reflection on the complexes surrounding leadership often endemic to the emergent/missional scene that we in this portion of the church were not able to embrace your contribution to a degree that might have kept you?
All this is a very long-winded way of saying that I am sincerely happy for you, Todd, that the Anglicans are embracing your call and your gifts, while at the same time sad for what that might have to say to and about those of us in the church demographic you have moved from. So, with a lump in my throat, Blessings on You, Fellow Pilgrim!
Paul Anthony Wallis
Author – The New Monastic (OakTara)
November 6th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your honest comments.
Of course I do hope to be an agent of good for the Kingdom within the Anglican orbit. Rest assured, I have not changed in any essential way–it am just me in a new and surprising setting.
And…I have not left anyone: not my Methodist upbringing, my conversion at Calvary Chapel, my long and formative time in the Vineyard, my young emerging friends or Alpha USA. I love and value them all–there would be no “me” without them…and emergent folks can have me anytime they want me!
Peace,
Todd
November 10th, 2009 at 4:24 am
Thanks Todd,
You’re a gracious man.
Blessings,
Paul
April 2nd, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Hi Todd, you won’t remember me but we met in New Zealand at Lloyd Rankin’s commissioning as national Director. I served on the National Board of Australian Vineyard Churches.
Your journey has encouraged me greatly as I too have become an Anglican about 2 yrs ago and am now heading towards ordination at the end of the year after some further study and training.
I too feel a little strange in the change from jeans and T shirts to robes….but like you am feeling a sense of being home.
I felt a little lonely on my strange little journey from Vineyard to Robes, but not any longer…and anyway as Costa Mitchell reminded me, the Anglicans are just the Vineyard in drag
Go Well Todd.
The Lord continue to be with you.
Gordon
April 5th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Thanks Gordon!
Blessings to you too!