Rector Roadtrip

It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke: “Four Priests and a Deacon walk into a restaurant…” In a way, two otherwise insignificant days in the middle of January were a bit of a joke, but the type of joke that only brings joy and light. A joke that reflects that great cosmic joke, the moment Jesus rose from the dead to defeat sin and death, and all creation smiled and laughed.

Well, it wasn’t all creation this past week, but at least a few acres along Interstate 94 throughout Wisconsin received the light of God’s joy and humor as rectors from the Anglican Churches in the state, as well as Canon William Beasley and myself, embarked on the first ever Wisconsin Rectors Roadtrip (name still pending). With stops in Kenosha, Racine, Nashotah, Madison, Hudson, and Minneapolis (oh and the aforementioned restaurant, the “Norske Nook” in Osseo), the light of the Gospel shone forth through his ministers doing what they are meant to do: be on mission! Too often we expect our pastors to be kind, smiling faces who teach from the pulpit and visit sick people. And they do fill those roles with grace and poise. But we forget that the priestly calling in part means a commitment to growing the church through encouragement, discernment, prayer, and outreach on the frontlines of ministry.

That’s why we hopped in a Dodge Durango and drove across the state – to be on mission together. In Rev. Eirik Olsen’s Pprish, Light of Christ Anglican Church, we met, and prayed with leaders raising up new works at Carthage College and Racine, braving the cold to bless the neighborhoods. With Rev. Thad Butcher, St. Michael’s Anglican Church, we prayed for a new worship space and met with a professor with a heart for campus mission. Rev. Matt Arndt of Bread of Life Anglican Church in Madison introduced us to two leaders seeking the future of their calling and ministry, and we talked, discerned, and prayer prayed with them. Finally, in Hudson with Hope Anglican Fellowship we heard the story of a few faithful heroes who’ve stood up for Truth in the St. Croix Valley and have been working and praying for the Church.

All of these interactions (as well as the wonderful conversation in the car and all the random occurrences on trips like these) were marked by simple and profound realities: 1) We really are one Church in Wisconsin, and we are going to act like it; 2) The Holy Spirit has, is, and will lead His Church, if we listen; and 3) There is no darkness that The Word made flesh, Jesus, cannot shine light into.

So take heart! Fear not! Jesus knows the hearts of men, and brings light into the darkness, freedom for the prisoner, healing for the sick, hope for the weary, life for the dead. The Lord is on the move in Wisconsin, and so are His ministers, and their congregations with them. Will you join us? There is much work to be done…