2024 Mission Retreat
On October 14-16, 2024, the Diocese of the Holy Trinity hosted the second biennial retreat for promoting evangelism and mission in the Continuing church. We had 32 participants, mainly from the three G-3 provinces: Anglican Catholic Church, Anglican Church in America, and the Anglican Province of America. Also represented were the Anglican Province of Christ the King, the Reformed Episcopal Church and another diocese from the Anglican Church of North America.
As with the 2022 retreat, the two-day 2024 retreat was held at the Montserrat Retreat House in Lake Dallas, Texas, and featured plenary sessions on mission, in addition to shared worship, meals and fellowship. This retreat was organized around four key pillars of the DHT’s “Remnant Mission” approach, and how these concepts might be applied in each participant’s local parish. The sessions thus included a mix of keynote lectures and small group breakout discussions.
Bp. Stephen Scarlett gave four keynote talks explaining these pillars:
1. Praying for Mission. Prayer is foundational for mission: rather than occasional prayer, consistent prayer should focus on new opportunities, conversion, and spiritual growth. Practical integration includes dedicated prayer times and incorporating mission into existing liturgies. Perseverance in prayer, fueled by faith, is key to realizing God’s call.
2. Forming the Remnant. The Remnant approach prioritizes the spiritual growth of the most committed through a renewed life of prayer, rather than selling to the entire congregation. The result is a transformed core whose lives naturally witness to Christ, attracting others organically through their holiness and communal life.
3. Spiritual Direction as a Framework for Ministry. Ministry should aim for spiritual maturity through guiding prayer and fostering personal responsibility, not just worldly help. Ongoing conversations about faith help individuals see life’s challenges as growth opportunities, leading to genuine witness.
4. Hospitality as the Central Mode of Mission. Biblical hospitality radically welcomes the different, starting within the church. It prioritizes genuine care and attractive social spaces rooted in shared joy over mere recruitment. Authentic community becomes the primary draw, reflecting Christ’s welcoming love.
Click on each topic to see an abridged versions of that talk, as well as the discussion questions used for the small group breakout session after that talk.
See also this blog summary of the retreat by Fr. Wesley Walker, a participant at both the 2024 and 2022 retreats.
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