Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others
Location
Ecclesiastical provinceAnglican Church in North America
HeadquartersFranklin, Tennessee
Statistics
Parishes50 (2022)[1]
Members9,103 (2022)[1]
Information
RiteAnglican
Current leadership
Diocesan bishopTodd Hunter
SuffraganBrian Wallace
Website
www.c4so.org

The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO) is an Anglican diocese characterized by its commitment to five key values: Kingdom, Spirit, Formation, Mission, Sacrament.[2] This diocese is part of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and is known for its diverse approaches to worship and ministry. The diocesan headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee.

History

A priest is ordained in the C4SO Diocese in an outdoor service in Portland, Oregon.

C4SO began as a church planting movement within the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) in 2009, when AMiA was the missionary body of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda in the United States. C4SO was officially recognized as a diocese by the Anglican Church in North America’s Provincial Council in June 2013, with the investiture of Bishop Todd Hunter at the opening worship of ACNA's College of Bishops on January 6, 2014. The diocese is organized into Regional Deaneries, with churches and leaders primarily located in California, Texas, the Midwest, the South, and the East. C4SO's common life is ordered by its Canons, which were updated in 2021. The main purpose of the diocese is church planting. The diocese actively collaborates on church plants with other diocesan bishops.[3]

Worship and Practice

The diocese is noted for its diversity of worship experiences, ranging from traditional services with vestments, music, and liturgy to more relaxed and contemporary settings. C4SO churches are located in various settings, including traditional church buildings, storefronts, schools, civic centers, and theaters. This variety is celebrated within the diocese, with an emphasis on faithfulness to Jesus and alignment with the kingdom he preached.[3]

Mission and Vision

C4SO's mission is to establish "outposts" that reflect Jesus’ person, word, and power amidst humanity. The diocese strives to create a family of churches that embody God’s intention for the Church, focusing on both inward transformation and outward mission. This vision is inspired by the "journey inward and journey outward" concept articulated by Elizabeth O’Connor.[3]

Foundational Influences

The diocese draws inspiration from the teachings of Jesus, the apostolic example of Paul, and the missional heritage of Thomas Cranmer, the architect of the Book of Common Prayer and a pivotal figure in the English Reformation. C4SO's approach to ministry is deeply rooted in this heritage, aiming to disciple its members in a manner consistent with these historical figures.[3]

Values

The core values of Kingdom, Spirit, Formation, Mission, and Sacrament underpin the ethos and practices of C4SO. These values guide the diocese's approach to ministry, church planting, and community engagement, reflecting a holistic understanding of the Anglican tradition.

  • Kingdom: Focusing on Jesus' Gospel of the Kingdom and church planting as outposts of this kingdom.
  • Spirit: Emphasizing the importance of the Holy Spirit in discipleship and church ministry.
  • Formation: Highlighting spiritual transformation and Christ-centered living, with an emphasis on spiritual disciplines and service.
  • Mission: Stating the church's role in God's mission, inspired by Thomas Cranmer's work and the desire to join where God is at work.
  • Sacrament: Describing the role of sacraments in assuring God’s faithfulness and participating in the life and mission of God.[2]

Notable Figures Associated with C4SO

Diocesan Leadership

  • The Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd D. Hunter: The founding bishop of C4SO, Dr. Hunter is also the founder of The Center for Formation, Justice and Peace. He has served as the past president of Alpha USA and the former national director for the Association of Vineyard Churches. Additionally, he is an author of several books on Christianity and Anglicanism.[4]
  • The Rt. Rev. Dr. Brian Wallace: Serving as the Suffragan Bishop of C4SO, Dr. Wallace was the executive director of the Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation from 2015 to 2023. He holds a doctorate in missiology from Fuller Seminary and has extensive experience with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.[4]

Canon Theologians

  • The Rev. Can. Dr. Esau McCaulley: Canon Theologian and priest with a focus on New Testament studies. Professor at Wheaton College.[4]
  • The Rev. Can. Dr. Emily McGowin: Canon Theologian and priest known for her work in theology and ecclesiology. Professor at Wheaton College.[4]
  • The Rev. Can. Dr. Scot McKnight: Canon Theologian, deacon, and renowned scholar, specializing in historical Jesus studies and the New Testament. Professor at Northern Seminary.[4]
  • The Rev. Can. Dr. Dennis Okholm: Canon Theologian and priest with expertise in theology and church history. Professor at Azusa Pacific University.[4]

Congregational departures from the ACNA

In 2021-2023, three church plants left C4SO for denominations more theologically liberal than the ACNA. In September 2021, St. Mary of Bethany Parish in Nashville departed C4SO out of disagreement over "the ACNA’s emphasis that the world is in need of a church that is 'always moving forward' to 'extend' and 'advance' God’s rule with 'boot camp' training and preparation."[5] St. Mary's rector joined the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches and said the congregation would discern a call to join this denomination.

In October 2022, Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows announced that the Table, a C4SO church plant in Indianapolis, had been accepted into the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis as a mission church.[6] The congregation's members voted 44 to 4 to join the Episcopal Church.

In July 2023, Resurrection South Austin, a C4SO church plant in Austin, announced that it had disaffiliated with C4SO and would seek membership in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.[7] Noting the history of congregational property litigation and animosity that had occurred between dioceses and parishes leaving the Episcopal Church for the ACNA, in all three cases, Bishop Todd Hunter gave his blessing to the congregations and clergy wishing to depart.[5][8][9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Congregational Reporting: 2022 in Review" (PDF). Anglican Church in North America. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Our Values". Churches for the Sake of Others. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Who Is C4SO?". Churches for the Sake of Others. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Our Team". Churches for the Sake of Others. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  5. 1 2 "ACNA parish withdraws from C4S0 to join the CEEC". Anglican Ink. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  6. ↑ Baskerville-Burrows, Jennifer. "From Bishop Jennifer: Our Journey with The Table". Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  7. ↑ McCain, Shawn (July 26, 2023). "A Change in Affiliation for Resurrection". Resurrection South Austin. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  8. ↑ Hunter, Todd. "Update about a C4SO Parish". Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  9. ↑ Hunter, Todd (July 26, 2023). "An Update on a C4SO Parish". Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
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