Official Diocesan Blog

Dear Co-heirs with Christ,

On this day at GAFCON we reflected on the biblical story of Jesus’ resurrection. While it is easy for its wonder to dissipate, the fact of the resurrection is a startling reality. Jesus actually rose from the dead and promised that we would join Him in His victory over death. Therefore, we should be the most joyful, most unflappable, most hopeful people in the world; not even death can beat us. Check out the GAFCON website to hear Bishop Tito Zavala, who is known by many in Pittsburgh, open the Scriptures (gafcon.org).

Dear Friends,

During the second day of GAFCON 2018, we continued to worship the Lord enthusiastically under the leadership of a Nigerian choir. We walked carefully through the trial and death of Jesus in our Bible exposition, seeing in them the heart of the Gospel, Jesus substitution for us. And, in our final morning session, we saw clearly God’s love for the Church and its mission in the world. Woven between the plenary presentations were opportunities to meet new friends from around the world and to rekindle old acquaintances.

Dear Partners in the Gospel,

What a privilege it is to be here at GAFCON 2018, gathered with almost 2,000 Anglican believers from around the world! As I share some of my impressions and highlights, you can follow what’s happening in Jerusalem though the GAFCON website (www.gafcon.org/events/jerusalem-2018).

Dear Members of the Diocese,

After 2 years of observing, listening, praying and testing lots of hypothesis, I'm making some changes to the Diocesan Staff that I believe will allow us to better serve the clergy and congregations of the Diocese.

Congregations (and even small groups within congregations) have 6 basic ministry dynamics: worship/prayer, evangelism/mission, discipleship, pastoral/mutual care, communication, and administration. Therefore, I am structuring diocesan staffing around these 6 ministry dynamics. 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Reformers consistently emphasized the biblical teaching that Christ’s work on the Cross is complete. We can add nothing to what He accomplished through His sacrifice of Himself on our behalf. As we say in our liturgy, “He made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world.” This emphasis on the finished work of Christ on the Cross has led some to think mistakenly that Christ’s work is finished altogether.

I am deeply committed to church planting. I believe it is the best way to reach people with Jesus’ love. I want to see church planting become normative in this diocese and in the ACNA. But, I wasn’t always an advocate.

How important is coaching for leaders in ministry? Research shows that five disciplines make a huge difference in the success rate of a church plant (and, by extension, parish ministry): vocational discernment, training, support (personal and financial), coaching, and risk assessment. The first three increased the likelihood of success in planting significantly. But, coaching took it to a new level.

Pastor: The Rev. Chance Perdue

TM: How long have you been a part of the Diocese?
CP: 6 years

As we continue to move forward as a diocese, the Lord has provided two gifted leaders. I have asked the Rev. Tracey Russell to serve as Canon for Youth Ministry and the Rev. Joanne Martin to serve as Deacon for Special Projects.

As Canon for Youth Ministry, Canon Tracey will support youth ministers, strengthen our youth ministry network, and help develop diocesan youth events that provide contexts for encounter with Christ and for growing as disciples. 

(This statement is also posted on the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's website.)