CHURCHES FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS

Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO) is a community of churches and leaders committed to nurturing existing congregations as well as planting new churches. Under the leadership of Diocesan Bishop Todd Hunter, C4SO seeks to announce, embody and demonstrate the Kingdom of God.

The Diocese unites a community of churches and leaders located primarily in California, Kansas, Texas, and the Southeast, organized by Regional Deaneries. C4SO is also involved in planting churches in collaboration with other bishops throughout the United States.  The Diocese started as a church planting movement in 2009, and the Anglican Church in North America’s Provincial Council approved its formation in June 2013.

ANNOUNCE

If we are to model the life and ministry of Jesus, we must announce the real presence and transforming power of the Kingdom of God—his rule and reign on earth here and now.  While we await the future completion or fulfillment of the Kingdom when Christ returns, our mission is to proclaim Kingdom realities, beliefs, and ethics. We are to serve as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), leading people in word and deed toward repentance, reconciliation, and peace with God—helping others find new life as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

EMBODY

Living intentionally as Christ followers, we are transformed daily (2 Corinthians 3:18) by the Holy Spirit. The theological word for this transformation is “sanctification” which molds and shapes us to be used by God in his Kingdom (2 Timothy 2:20-21). We bear witness to God’s saving grace with more than words—we witness through our lifestyles, choices, and priorities.  Others are drawn to the Christ they see in us as we seek to become more and more like him. In this way, we are an incarnational presence in a lost and broken world, which often does not recognize its need for a Savior.

DEMONSTRATE

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me;
 he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted,
 to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners.  Isaiah 61:1-7, New Revised Standard Version

Incarnational living requires right belief, right worship (orthodoxy) and right living (orthopraxy). Jesus’ life and ministry, prophesied in Isaiah, ushered in the Kingdom of God. In the Sermon on the Mount (including the Beatitudes), Jesus shows us how we too can demonstrate the Kingdom through working for justice, showing mercy, being instruments of deliverance through “setting captives free,” and serving as peacemakers. Living authentic lives as Christ followers compels us to boldly walk “in the way of Christ.” (Dr. Glen Stassen, Kingdom Ethics)

In a highly individualistic and disconnected culture, we envision incarnational ministry that is relational and accessible, as we invite others to “come and see”…”come and receive.” We want to provide a place to truly connect and belong, which sometimes happens before people believe. Finally, we identify where God is at work and join him there, which requires paying close attention to his activity, often demonstrated in unexpected places and ways.

“The best changes come in the midst of continuity with our tradition.”
Bishop Todd Hunter