High points from the Pastoral Address of the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston to the 215^th Annual Council of the diocese of Virginia January 29, 2010.

Click here for the full Text or Video of Bishop Shannon’s Address

I am deeply honored, and yet more deeply humbled, now to address you for the first time as the XIII bishop of Virginia.

During the fall several town meeting were held throughout the diocese. From them emerged the following priorities.

• Youth & Young Adult Formation                                                                                             Bishops Shannon and David
• Strengthen Existing Congregations
• Evangelism/Proclamation
• Including self-definition through media
• Multi-Cultural/Ethnic Ministries
• Mission Beyond Ourselves
• Local outreach; domestic & world mission.

Other priorities scored high as well, such as stewardship, leadership, communications and clarity of mission.  ….  We must set measurable goals and formulate strategies that will breathe real life into these priorities. Obviously, for us to do these things well and serve our common mission effectively there is no question but that pledging to the diocesan budget will have to be increased significantly.

Youth and Young Adult Formation

The very top priority, youth and young adult formation, ranked #1 on the list at all seven Town Hall meetings.  This unanimity arises both out of affirmation of the present diocesan youth ministries and from concern for the future of the Church itself.   There is very strong support for our camping programs at Shrine Mont and so much enthusiasm for our Parish Youth Ministries (PYM) leadership in ministries with our younger communicants.  Indeed, our youth ministries are an absolute signature of the diocese itself and they are a primary reason for diocesan support.

As well as we do for our youth, we do so relatively little (and dare I say “poorly?”) for young adults.  With some notable exceptions, a great many of our churches are almost entirely lacking in “twenty-somethings. To begin to meet this challenge, this year I’m going to convene Saturday conferences of “twenty-somethings” so that we might listen and learn as well as encourage.  It is my hope that such conferences will result in a continuing body within the diocese that will keep us on our toes and accountable for young adult formation.  In fact, our work here has begun already with a young-adult mission trip to Haiti, conceived and coordinated by young adults–Cathy Gowen and Paris Ball from my staff.  While necessarily postponed due to the earthquake there, we will (repeat, WILL) be going to Haiti as soon as they are ready for us to come.

Evangelism and Proclamation

Evangelism!  Evangelism and proclamation.  In essence, this is the theme of our Council.  “Go,” “preach,” “teach,” and “baptize” are part and parcel of the Great Commission we have straight from our Lord Himself.  ….  And it’s not just the unchurched who need to hear the proclamation of the faith and who need to be taught.  …. I’m calling on our clergy and our educators to re-evaluate the teaching you offer and the attendance you have, primarily for our adults—that’s a good starting place in any case.  What I’m getting at is that there must be a place in church life where some ongoing and substantive “faith and Church 101” instruction is both attractive and respected.

And what shall we do about that statistical 60 percent of the population around us?   Here, I don’t think that programming or expertise is the best answer. Of course, these things are vitally important but something more fundamental is at stake. A few years ago, a study was done that examined a ten-year period in which unchurched persons became active in a congregation and lapsed members “came back” to church.  The study showed that fully nine out of every ten people came to church simply because someone they knew or had some association with asked them.  That’s up to each and every one of us, and I hope you find it encouraging to know how much opportunity and power we have to make such a difference in someone’s life.

We can also take a strong lead in evangelism and proclamation by making use of the public media, rather multi-media.

Multi Cultural and Ethnic Ministries

With respect to multi-cultural/ethnic ministries, we have several exciting Latino, Asian and African …. Surely, we must come together to provide for and strengthen these existing churches, and just as surely here is one area where planting new churches presents energizing opportunities.  “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Pray the Lord to send laborers into His harvest.”  Whatever your own reality where you are, this is perhaps the most important and fruitful mission field for the Church now, and by the next one or two generations multi-culturalism and ethnic identity will be dominant factors in much of our diocese.  I promise our relevant committees and commissions that I will be right with you in your work, and I trust that we all know that we will have to raise the stakes and our sights considerably.

Ministry with the Native American Population of Virginia

My firm conviction is that ministry beyond ourselves, through outreach ministries and domestic and world mission is, like evangelism, at the very heart of the Gospel.  I also know that such ministries are the best ways to heal the divisions among us.  The lines we draw between one another are swept away by mission to others. 

I’ve always been clear about the fact that I am enthusiastic about ministry with Native American peoples.  Notice I said “with” since I think one of the best things we can do in ministry with Native Americans is to learn from them.  I am aware that some of our congregations have been working on various reservations in the West, and I think it is time to expand that work.  In my view, we should begin this by bringing such ministry closer to home.  It seems likely that we can do more ministry and quite exciting things right on our own doorstep with the Native population so nearby and across the Commonwealth.

Increase Sunday Morning Attendance

 If mission is the “life-blood” of the Church then its heartbeat is surely worship.   We show a discouraging 37 percent of our membership at worship on the Lord’s Day.  This is not mere bean counting because we’re actually talking about prioritizing worship, and that goes to the heart of our discipleship of Jesus.

These figures suggest to me that we are, as the Diocese of Virginia, something of a sleeping giant. The encouraging thing about that idea is that we can wake up!  Consider that season ticket holders of sports and artistic events surely do much better attending what they are committed to.  Well, don’t forget that as a disciple of Jesus Christ you have a “season ticket” and it’s called eternal life.  Don’t neglect to show up for it!  I love you and this diocese too much, and my responsibility as a bishop is too pointed, not to tell you that how we’re doing now in attendance at worship is alarming and should be unacceptable to us all.  Addressing this reality must be a major piece of the work we do together to strengthen existing congregations. To start, I call on our clergy and vestries to set a three-year goal of having 50 percent of communicant strength at worship on Sundays.

The Mission of the Diocese

I am often asked what I think the mission of the Diocese of Virginia is, or even “why” the diocese exists.  So I conclude by telling you what I’ve seen and come to understand after nearly three years here as a bishop:  The mission of the Diocese of Virginia is to worship our Lord Jesus Christ, building up our unity even in diversity, and to serve the world in the power of the Gospel as a part of the Holy Catholic Church.

Click here for the full Text or video of Bishop Shannon’s Address