The Communion of the Holy Trinity
I am excited about our new church name. United Convergence Church, the name we are changing from, really didn't convey to people what or who we are. "Convergence" refers to a blending, or convergence, of the 3 "streams" or traditions of the early Church, which when combined makes for a balanced and relevant Church today--evangelical, liturgical/sacramental, and charismatic. By "charismatic," we mean the filling and life of the Spirit. The emphasis isn't on a particular gift or gifts--it's on the life of the Spirit, which includes the fruit and gifts of the Spirit. "Spirit-filled" would probably better describe that aspect. We are still convergence in our beliefs and practice. Our basis is the Anglican tradition, the tradition of the Church catholic as it developed in the British Isles. We enjoy aspects of the Roman and Eastern traditions as well.
So, our convergence worship hasn't changed. A huge thing that also hasn't changed is our main emphasis--our emphasis isn't Anglicanism, liturgy, theology, church polity, arguments over which Prayer Book is the best--none of that. Our emphasis is the Lord God Almighty, Who our liturgy and theology and traditions are to point to. I think sometimes we lose focus--we major on the minors, so to speak. Liturgy is important insomuch as it points us to God and facilitates our corporate, participatory worship. I frankly disagree that use of the 1928 or 1662 liturgy is somehow more Anglican, or more theologically sound than the 1979 Prayer Book--the arguments simply don't hold up. If anything, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer was more of a return to the ancient Church, in my opinion (email if you'd like to discuss why). Also, our understanding of God's sovereignty and eschatology is finite and simple at best--and not to be a test of intelligence or of good hermeneutics. True Anglicanism is a blending of ancient Celtic (which is monastic in root) and Roman traditions, and is based on the Church being shepherded by a plurality of bishops who hear God and the voice of the whole Church--what we would call "consensus" government of the Church. It has a Biblical base (the primary authority) with apostolic tradition. It is liturgical and Eucharist-centered, but liturgy is not a test of true Anglicanism. The above is. The Anglican tradition is, at its best, God-centered, not man-centered.
All this having been said, we are changing the name of our church (I don't like the word "denomination") to The Communion of the Holy Trinity because it simply states Who is our focus. The word "communion" denotes a fellowship, a sharing--of what? The life of the Trinity, and the sharing of that life with all Christians--here and in heaven.
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. So we're obviously going to celebrate. If you're in the area, come join us. Our worship is contemporary, yet rooted in the ancient Church. We will worship our great God together in music, prayers, confession and receiving of forgiveness, reading and preaching from the Bible, and receiving our Lord Jesus Christ in the special way we do in the Bread and Wine. Then we'll have lunch and fellowship.
And if you're in the area, the Order of St. John the Beloved offers Morning Prayer here at Mercy House Tue-Fri mornings at 7 am. We're usually done around 7:30. You are welcome--come pray with us before work.
We pray your worship this weekend is good.
under the mercy,
br. francis
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Memorial Day
Shirley and I enjoyed today and part of the weekend with family. We thank God for those who have given their lives for our country and for our God and His Church.
I'm tired and not feeling well tonight, so I'll blog later on the name change for our church--we are changing our name from United Convergence Church to The Communion of the Holy Trinity. The new name is a better reflection of who we are. I'll blog and explain later when I'm feeling better. Until our web page is updated, you may still find us at www.unitedconvergencechurch.com. When it's updated, we'll be at www.thecommunionoftheholytrinity.org.
Hope your Pentecost Day worship and Memorial Day weekend was good. Have a great Pentecost week.
br.francis
Shirley and I enjoyed today and part of the weekend with family. We thank God for those who have given their lives for our country and for our God and His Church.
I'm tired and not feeling well tonight, so I'll blog later on the name change for our church--we are changing our name from United Convergence Church to The Communion of the Holy Trinity. The new name is a better reflection of who we are. I'll blog and explain later when I'm feeling better. Until our web page is updated, you may still find us at www.unitedconvergencechurch.com. When it's updated, we'll be at www.thecommunionoftheholytrinity.org.
Hope your Pentecost Day worship and Memorial Day weekend was good. Have a great Pentecost week.
br.francis
Friday, May 25, 2007
Easter season musings part 2
At ChristChurch, our musicians were in bands who didn't want to be signed to a Christian label or be a part of the Christian music scene. The view was that the labels tended to want to mold you into something they felt was marketable--to the point of influencing lyrics and music style, and forcing bands to be evangelistic or to do music as a ministry--when that may not have been their calling. We were taught there that as musicians, we needed to first of all make good art, good music--and that our music and art should in some way reflect our faith. We were taught that it was to be done with excellence. The bands that were made up of our members did (and do) just that--wrote good music, reflected their faith, and were (and are) noted live performers.
This view has a lot to say for it. I firmly believe that many believers have a God-given talent who are NOT called to be ministers--in fact, at least one of the members of the fore-mentioned bands struggles with his faith. Common sense here suggests this brother (I still call him that) continue to be loved, befriended, and shown understanding to his struggle. Obviously, he's not called to propagate the faith--but to write about his struggles with it and with life, and to continue to make cutting-edge rock. In this and other like situations, the Church should take very special care to not shoot its wounded. Sadly, many times we have done just that. Myself included--I've been on the giving and receiving end of that.
I began playing drums and percussion much later than I wanted. My parents wouldn't allow a drum kit, even in the garage. But I always wanted to play. Around age 30 about 15 years ago, I finally began to play drums. A few years ago, due to the needs of a worship band, I began to learn other percussion instruments, such as congas, bongos, shakers, and triangle (can't say there was any difficulty with the triangle, though. hah.). I was privileged to play in a few different bands, playing modern and classic rock and originals, as well as in worship bands in churches. My calling is to facilitate worship as well as make good music. With my friends over the years, it has seemed to be one or the other. But with a few of us, it has been both.
I want to say something here. I will agree, as someone who has worked in Christian radio for nearly 20 years, that a lot of the music aired is formulaic. The labels do, of course, sign bands who are marketable, and they do influence lyrics, image, etc. However, criticism of these bands and artists is undue. There is a LOT of talent in ccm these days. Christian radio is a lot better (in most ways) than it was when I first worked in it in the 80's--the music on the playlists is definitely more rockin'. There's more freedom to play that now on Christian radio. And I shake my head when I hear believers who don't like ccm say that the artists aren't good or don't write well. I beg to differ. It's similar to when a young teenage or early 20's guitarist says that classic rock guitarists aren't any good, that only the new guitarists are good. To which I say, "Can you play their stuff?" They usually say, no. Then I say that they must be better than you think. Same with ccm. I would ask, "Can you play it?" or, "Can you write that well?" Or I ask them if they can write something as compelling. Sometimes they can. I say, OK, so then let's not criticize.
Our callings are different. Our places and methods of ministry are different. Our God has made each of us different. Let's be encouraging of one another. Let us be praying for one another.
And, by the way....Red Reign is looking for a good keyboard player. You don't have to be a Christian, but it would be nice. You just have to be tolerant of everyone's beliefs. In the OKC area? We're working on covers now. After we learn about 20, we're going to write originals in the prog-rock vein and have some studio time already paid for. Interested? Let me know.
Peace to you.
br. francis
At ChristChurch, our musicians were in bands who didn't want to be signed to a Christian label or be a part of the Christian music scene. The view was that the labels tended to want to mold you into something they felt was marketable--to the point of influencing lyrics and music style, and forcing bands to be evangelistic or to do music as a ministry--when that may not have been their calling. We were taught there that as musicians, we needed to first of all make good art, good music--and that our music and art should in some way reflect our faith. We were taught that it was to be done with excellence. The bands that were made up of our members did (and do) just that--wrote good music, reflected their faith, and were (and are) noted live performers.
This view has a lot to say for it. I firmly believe that many believers have a God-given talent who are NOT called to be ministers--in fact, at least one of the members of the fore-mentioned bands struggles with his faith. Common sense here suggests this brother (I still call him that) continue to be loved, befriended, and shown understanding to his struggle. Obviously, he's not called to propagate the faith--but to write about his struggles with it and with life, and to continue to make cutting-edge rock. In this and other like situations, the Church should take very special care to not shoot its wounded. Sadly, many times we have done just that. Myself included--I've been on the giving and receiving end of that.
I began playing drums and percussion much later than I wanted. My parents wouldn't allow a drum kit, even in the garage. But I always wanted to play. Around age 30 about 15 years ago, I finally began to play drums. A few years ago, due to the needs of a worship band, I began to learn other percussion instruments, such as congas, bongos, shakers, and triangle (can't say there was any difficulty with the triangle, though. hah.). I was privileged to play in a few different bands, playing modern and classic rock and originals, as well as in worship bands in churches. My calling is to facilitate worship as well as make good music. With my friends over the years, it has seemed to be one or the other. But with a few of us, it has been both.
I want to say something here. I will agree, as someone who has worked in Christian radio for nearly 20 years, that a lot of the music aired is formulaic. The labels do, of course, sign bands who are marketable, and they do influence lyrics, image, etc. However, criticism of these bands and artists is undue. There is a LOT of talent in ccm these days. Christian radio is a lot better (in most ways) than it was when I first worked in it in the 80's--the music on the playlists is definitely more rockin'. There's more freedom to play that now on Christian radio. And I shake my head when I hear believers who don't like ccm say that the artists aren't good or don't write well. I beg to differ. It's similar to when a young teenage or early 20's guitarist says that classic rock guitarists aren't any good, that only the new guitarists are good. To which I say, "Can you play their stuff?" They usually say, no. Then I say that they must be better than you think. Same with ccm. I would ask, "Can you play it?" or, "Can you write that well?" Or I ask them if they can write something as compelling. Sometimes they can. I say, OK, so then let's not criticize.
Our callings are different. Our places and methods of ministry are different. Our God has made each of us different. Let's be encouraging of one another. Let us be praying for one another.
And, by the way....Red Reign is looking for a good keyboard player. You don't have to be a Christian, but it would be nice. You just have to be tolerant of everyone's beliefs. In the OKC area? We're working on covers now. After we learn about 20, we're going to write originals in the prog-rock vein and have some studio time already paid for. Interested? Let me know.
Peace to you.
br. francis
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Morning Prayer and pouring rain
May is the "storm month" in Oklahoma. As the seasons change and the air masses meet, thunderstorms and tornadoes form in this part of the country. While we can do without the tornadoes, it is a blessing to rise for Morning Prayer to the sounds of pouring rain. To me, it is a sound and sign of God's washing the earth, of His renewal and blessing, a reminder of our baptism, and--as the Psalmist wrote, that His mercies are new every morning.
Sunday is the Day of Pentecost. We remember on that day the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church in Acts 2, and ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit again on us. The Spirit brings repentance, renewal, change, and life to the Church. In our day, we see that the Church is in need of renewal. Old heresies are still propagated. Sin is excused and even accepted in the Church. What Scripture plainly calls sin is flaunted as life in the Spirit. Let us turn to God and pray for renewal and repentance in the Church. Let us pray that this Sunday, Pentecost, will be a day of renewal in the life-changing Holy Spirit. Let us pray that the Spirit will fill each of us anew and draw us closer to God, make us more like Christ.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people, and kindle in us the fire of Your love.
We pray your worship and renewal in the Spirit will be good this Sunday.
br. francis
May is the "storm month" in Oklahoma. As the seasons change and the air masses meet, thunderstorms and tornadoes form in this part of the country. While we can do without the tornadoes, it is a blessing to rise for Morning Prayer to the sounds of pouring rain. To me, it is a sound and sign of God's washing the earth, of His renewal and blessing, a reminder of our baptism, and--as the Psalmist wrote, that His mercies are new every morning.
Sunday is the Day of Pentecost. We remember on that day the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church in Acts 2, and ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit again on us. The Spirit brings repentance, renewal, change, and life to the Church. In our day, we see that the Church is in need of renewal. Old heresies are still propagated. Sin is excused and even accepted in the Church. What Scripture plainly calls sin is flaunted as life in the Spirit. Let us turn to God and pray for renewal and repentance in the Church. Let us pray that this Sunday, Pentecost, will be a day of renewal in the life-changing Holy Spirit. Let us pray that the Spirit will fill each of us anew and draw us closer to God, make us more like Christ.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people, and kindle in us the fire of Your love.
We pray your worship and renewal in the Spirit will be good this Sunday.
br. francis
Monday, May 07, 2007
Easter season musings
I grew up listening to a lot of different kinds of music in the 60's and 70's, thanks to my parents. In the 70's, I listened to a LOT of rock. When I repented and came back to Christ in '79, I was involved in a church which believed and taught that it was bad to listen to all music made by non-Christians. Thankfully, at the time I was introduced to good music made by believers.
Also thankfully, I was exposed to the writings of Francis and Frank Schaeffer, and the view that music (and all art) is representative of the human experience--hence, amoral, neither morally good or bad. I then felt free to listen to music I appreciated, and enjoy good art. I also have been privileged to cultivate a dream, that of playing drums and percussion. (I've been privileged to play in worship bands in three churchrs, and in the Rock bands "Stage Dive" and "In So Deep," which we just re-named "Red Reign.")
In the early nineties, I was involved in a Houston church, ChristChurch, where Kemper Crabb and Dave Marshall (ArkAngel, Radiohalo, and Atomic Opera are band names you may recognize) were a couple of the pastors--and who were involved in making music that built up the body of Christ as well as making people think, and trying to transform culture. We were taught at that church to be more of an "outside" church, a people that took Christ to the world, instead of just inviting non-Christians to worship with us and give them the gospel in the context of our corporate worship. They introduced me to liturgical and sacramental worship. (Members of the bands King's X and Galactic Cowboys were also members.)
Later on, I was exposed to the ancient Church's beliefs and practices, and as well to a "missional" and "holistic" way of doing Church. I visited one such church, their coffee house, book store and art gallery in Houston (Ecclesia) and Shirley and I visited another (Fusion) here in OKC.
I am thrilled at these groups, and their movement to real spirituality and toward the ancient Church. I do have some of my own musings that I want to share.
I encourage you the reader here--if you are interested in moving toward the ancient Church and a deeper spirituality, may I suggest that you read the Church Fathers and the monastics? The Church Fathers give us a good idea of what the early Church believed, how they interpreted Scripture (especially those disputed passages about baptism and the Lord's Supper, for instance), what they believed about sacraments and how they conferred grace, and the relationship between works and grace in our salvation. The monastics have a lot to teach ous about working out our salvation, about learning about how to be the Church. All parts of the Church have something to teach us. Not only can we learn from the above-named churches on the subjects of being the Church, spirituality, and the desirability of moving toward the ancient Church--we should jump on the social justice bandwagon with them--read Matthew 25.
As a monk, a seminarian, and a man who will be ordained as a priest next year, my aim is pastoral. My calling is to bring Christ and the ancient Church to you. So I welcome dialogue and any questions you may have. Our number here at Mercy House is 405-470-0174. My cell no. is 713-205-2324. My email is br.francis@yahoo.com. Our worshipping community here in OKC is Chapel of St. Francis (in Tulsa it's St. Timothy), and we meet together Sundays at 10am and Wednesdays at 7pm at Mercy House for Eucharist, prayer, teaching, fellowship, and learning how to be the Church. Two web sites you can check out--www.unitedconvergencechurch.com, and the one for Mercy House--www.netministries.org/see/churches/ch07969.
Please call or email if I can be of any help to you.
br. francis
I grew up listening to a lot of different kinds of music in the 60's and 70's, thanks to my parents. In the 70's, I listened to a LOT of rock. When I repented and came back to Christ in '79, I was involved in a church which believed and taught that it was bad to listen to all music made by non-Christians. Thankfully, at the time I was introduced to good music made by believers.
Also thankfully, I was exposed to the writings of Francis and Frank Schaeffer, and the view that music (and all art) is representative of the human experience--hence, amoral, neither morally good or bad. I then felt free to listen to music I appreciated, and enjoy good art. I also have been privileged to cultivate a dream, that of playing drums and percussion. (I've been privileged to play in worship bands in three churchrs, and in the Rock bands "Stage Dive" and "In So Deep," which we just re-named "Red Reign.")
In the early nineties, I was involved in a Houston church, ChristChurch, where Kemper Crabb and Dave Marshall (ArkAngel, Radiohalo, and Atomic Opera are band names you may recognize) were a couple of the pastors--and who were involved in making music that built up the body of Christ as well as making people think, and trying to transform culture. We were taught at that church to be more of an "outside" church, a people that took Christ to the world, instead of just inviting non-Christians to worship with us and give them the gospel in the context of our corporate worship. They introduced me to liturgical and sacramental worship. (Members of the bands King's X and Galactic Cowboys were also members.)
Later on, I was exposed to the ancient Church's beliefs and practices, and as well to a "missional" and "holistic" way of doing Church. I visited one such church, their coffee house, book store and art gallery in Houston (Ecclesia) and Shirley and I visited another (Fusion) here in OKC.
I am thrilled at these groups, and their movement to real spirituality and toward the ancient Church. I do have some of my own musings that I want to share.
I encourage you the reader here--if you are interested in moving toward the ancient Church and a deeper spirituality, may I suggest that you read the Church Fathers and the monastics? The Church Fathers give us a good idea of what the early Church believed, how they interpreted Scripture (especially those disputed passages about baptism and the Lord's Supper, for instance), what they believed about sacraments and how they conferred grace, and the relationship between works and grace in our salvation. The monastics have a lot to teach ous about working out our salvation, about learning about how to be the Church. All parts of the Church have something to teach us. Not only can we learn from the above-named churches on the subjects of being the Church, spirituality, and the desirability of moving toward the ancient Church--we should jump on the social justice bandwagon with them--read Matthew 25.
As a monk, a seminarian, and a man who will be ordained as a priest next year, my aim is pastoral. My calling is to bring Christ and the ancient Church to you. So I welcome dialogue and any questions you may have. Our number here at Mercy House is 405-470-0174. My cell no. is 713-205-2324. My email is br.francis@yahoo.com. Our worshipping community here in OKC is Chapel of St. Francis (in Tulsa it's St. Timothy), and we meet together Sundays at 10am and Wednesdays at 7pm at Mercy House for Eucharist, prayer, teaching, fellowship, and learning how to be the Church. Two web sites you can check out--www.unitedconvergencechurch.com, and the one for Mercy House--www.netministries.org/see/churches/ch07969.
Please call or email if I can be of any help to you.
br. francis
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Red Reign
Just returned from rehearsal with my rock band after a break since before Easter. The band was called "In So Deep," but because we are writing new material and learning different covers than they did with their previous drummer, we all agreed it was time for a name change. So we chose the name "Red Reign," which has numerous meanings. One meaning which will be obvious to us as believers is the blood of Christ and His rule over all.
We had a great rehearsal tonight. We're working on a Rush "medley" of sorts, which will include Priests of the Temples of Syrinx from 2112. I remember as a teenager listening to All The World's A Stage and hearing Geddy say, "We'd like to do for you side one from our latest album. This is called 2112." We'd crank it so loud our ears rang. I had no idea that as an adult I would have the joy of learning to play that on drums.
The band is a 3-piece--a singer/bassist, guitarist, and myself on drums. I think our chemistry is really good and I am really looking forward to playing out. When I was with "Stage Dive" in Houston, I used the stage name "Kane," from the Gaelic which means, "John," the patron of our monastic order. Fitting, is it not? I will be using the name again with Red Reign.
Hope your Easter season is full of His joy.
br francis
Just returned from rehearsal with my rock band after a break since before Easter. The band was called "In So Deep," but because we are writing new material and learning different covers than they did with their previous drummer, we all agreed it was time for a name change. So we chose the name "Red Reign," which has numerous meanings. One meaning which will be obvious to us as believers is the blood of Christ and His rule over all.
We had a great rehearsal tonight. We're working on a Rush "medley" of sorts, which will include Priests of the Temples of Syrinx from 2112. I remember as a teenager listening to All The World's A Stage and hearing Geddy say, "We'd like to do for you side one from our latest album. This is called 2112." We'd crank it so loud our ears rang. I had no idea that as an adult I would have the joy of learning to play that on drums.
The band is a 3-piece--a singer/bassist, guitarist, and myself on drums. I think our chemistry is really good and I am really looking forward to playing out. When I was with "Stage Dive" in Houston, I used the stage name "Kane," from the Gaelic which means, "John," the patron of our monastic order. Fitting, is it not? I will be using the name again with Red Reign.
Hope your Easter season is full of His joy.
br francis
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