With Chris Zoephel | Why AMiA? Part 1

YAMIA is the youth and student ministries arm of the Anglican Mission in the Americas.

One of many Churches in Circle, Montana------------------>

Or more specifically, why AMiA Youth Ministry?

I think, from time to time, I will discuss this issue. But I want to hit it from a more personal side. Meaning, from my perspective instead of a lecture AT folks as to why AMiA (or YAMiA in this case). I also want to hit this thing in snippets. I do not like long treatises and I suspect you don't either.

So let's start this off right...with some Scripture.

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." -John 17:22-23

One of the reasons for unity is witness/evangelism/etc... I am not so sure it is a good thing that there are 30,000 protestant denominations. I have a feeling this hurts the witness (the above Scripture seems to paint that picture). What does it look like to a random person to drive down a local street and see 1st Baptist Church on the right, the Presby Church on the left, the AG church on the corner, the Bible Church on the other corner, the UMC Church behind that and so on and so forth? Is there a need for all of these churches? Is there a need for all these denominations? Why are they still split? Are the reasons they started still valid?

AMiA holds some answers for us. You can be reformed, Arminian, Anglo-Catholic, evangelical or even charismatic and you are still in the fold. Yes we have our foundational things one must assent to but most people in the churches I have listed above would have very little problem with any of them. Seriously....I have asked.

Do we desire to be a part of the answer? Do we desire to make a difference? Then we all need to honestly ask ourselves, in light of the current situation in protestantism, do we want to add another denomination or do we want to shrink the number? Do we want to embrace an ecclessiology (church government) that enables us to move forward towards a solution yet keep orthodoxy?

Let me share the Anglican Basics when it comes to this sort of ecumenical dialogue in my next post.

Labels: AMiA

Involved in Youth Ministry for over 10 years, Rev Chris Zoephel has worked with junior highers, senior highers and those who act like these folks both as a paid staff member and as a volunteer in churches and para church organizations. These days most of his time is spent chasing his son around, keeping his office somewhat organized and trying to point others toward Christ. Currently Chris is on staff at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, FL as the Pastor of Discipleship (which includes being a youth pastor). Chris also serves as Director of YAMIA for the Anglican Mission in the Americas.