Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from everyone at St James The Assinboine Anglican Church!

Our Christmas Eve service is at 7p.m. and our Christmas day service is at 10a.m.

Have a safe and happy Christmas!

2010 Lenten Study 5

The Apostle Paul gave us a great imagery of membership in the church, that of the human body. The image is found in his letters to the Romans and Corinthians.

The final section of Warren's book deals with Building up the Church. He deals with growing in faith to maturity and what it takes to get there.

At St. James we have members, and Warren tells us we need to move the gathered crowd of attenders from the various programs we offer and form them into a congregation of members.

While this whole section is important, on page 311 there are 12 questions asked of the members of Saddleback. Apply these questions to St. James. How are these 12 questions relevant to us?

This marks the end of the book study. I hope you have enjoyed reading and discussing the book as much as I have. There is much to learn on our journey of growth. As long as we are willing that growth that comes from God will happen. Please join us in the season of Easter when all of the study groups come together and share their thoughts as a part of a pot luck. Details to follow.

Father Murray Still

2010 Lenten Study 4

The Purpose Driven Church


Jesus attracted crowds to Him, those who were hungry for the spiritual words of life. Author Rick Warren in part four spells out the way to bring in a crowd. In a previous section, we learned the crowd is comprised of unchurched folks who would not understand the complexities of a worship service. How we approach these unchurched, those who are "seekers," will have a direct result on the numbers that attend.

In chapter 13, Warren lays out 12 convictions about worship. Consider St. James when you read these. At St. James, are we in agreement with Warren about the 12 convictions about worship? A secondary question. If so, how will be apply them?

2010 Lenten Study 3

The Purpose Driven Church

Section 3 of the book takes in chapters 9 to 11 and speaks of "Reaching out to your community." The chapters address the topics, "Who is your target?", Knowing whom you can best reach and Developing Your strategy.


QUESTION: Keeping in mind the metaphor of catching fish as it applies to reaching the unchurched, what is the perceived target audience for St. James and what do we need to do to reach them?

2010 Lenten Study 2

The Purpose Driven Church: A Lenten Study

Part Two of The Purpose Driven Church  looks at becoming a Purpose Driven Church. The author looks at what drives your Church, the Foundations for a healthy Church, defining your purposes, organizing around your purposes and applying your purpose.

We have done some of this already at St. James _... defining purpose. Once that is done, however, it is important to communicate the purpose, organize around that and apply those purposes.

I encourage study groups to apply the relevant information to St. James. This week, I am asking the study groups to consider this question:

There are five kinds of Churches listed on page 122. After consideration, what kind of Church are we at St. James?

You may also want to consider the role of the pastor in answering this question.

Add your thoughts here for the other groups, or interested parishioners, to comment on, and develop a conversation.

2010 Lenten Study 1

The Purpose Driven Church: A Lenten Study

Rick Warren is pastor of Saddleback Ministries and the author of The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life. Pastor Warren wrote his books to guide the reader towards significant ways to bring about change in a Church’s life without compromising its message or mission.

Saddleback was started when Warren and his family packed what little they owned and moved from Texas to southern California. God led Rick and his wife, Kay, to Saddleback Valley and the amazing adventure began. The first members of the Church were the Real Estate agent’s family, and they never looked back. The first Easter service was held April 6, 1980 with 205 people. For many years, the community met without a permanent building. After 15 years, the Church grew to 10,000 attenders. Today, the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, is one of American’s largest congregations.

This book has a lot to teach us about Church Growth. Reading  this book together, we will discover a five part strategy for Church Growth:

• Warmer through fellowship

• Deeper through Discipleship

• Stronger through worship

• Broader through ministry

• Larger through evangelism

Each week, St. James will look at one question that comes directly from the book. We will read the book in Church House Groups or as individuals over the five weeks of Lent and Holy Week. Once the study is complete, we will gather as a large group to discuss our learnings and share them with the congregation. The book costs $20 and anyone is welcome. Contact the office at 888-3489 for further details.

Interested people are to meet at the parish Hall, Tuesday, February 16 after/during the Pancake supper for the complete information and to create the study groups.

The question I would ask you to consider for week 1, based on Part One to page 47:

"What are the myths about Church Growth that apply to St. James?"

Add your thoughts here for the other groups, or interested parishioners, to comment on, and develop a conversation.

2010 Lenten Study Announcement

The Lenten season is almost upon us. You are invited to the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, and I am hoping those connected with study can be there. At that time, I will outline the study.

The book we are studying is The Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren. The question I would ask you to consider for week 1:

"What are the myths about Church Growth that apply to St. James?"

Church house groups or individuals will read Part One to page 47 and discuss the question. Each week, there will be a new question to consider until the book is complete. The questions will also appear in the Parish Blog. At the end of the study, we will meet as a large group again and hear back about what we have learned.

Meanwhile, I encourage you to join with me Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in a meditation upon the Stations of the Cross found in our windows.

You will notice the crosses are covered through Lent. This is deliberate. If you feel uncomfortable,  it is the right effect. For Jesus, the cross was not a sign of glory. It was an instrument of death that applied to Him and all criminals of His day. Covering the cross gives us the attitude of reflection needed for this solemn season.

I encourage you all to walk with me in the footsteps of our Lord through Holy Week and Easter!

Father Murray