Ordination

The Ecclesiastical Pickle If you’ve been following along, you know that my resignation from ordained ministry in the ACNA back in November 2023 turned into something of an ecclesiastical pickle earlier this year. The short version: I had resigned from the ACNA while explicitly stating that I was not renouncing my Holy Orders. My bishop at the time, Todd Hunter, gave me a letter confirming my good standing and my request “to resign from ministerial duties while remaining in Holy Orders.” But when Bishop Todd began preparing for retirement, he reached out to clarify whether that framing was canonically correct. His successor, Bishop Jeff Bailey, had questions. ...

It’s been brought to my attention that the description of how I resigned from ordained ministry in the Anglican Church in North America in November 2023 might not be canonically accurate. ❗ Important UDPATE: As of 2026-01-09, I’ve asked that we clarify my November 2023 resignation from ministry in the ACNA by just sticking to the exact wording of the ACNA Canons. No extra “this is/isn’t different from renouncing Holy Orders” qualifications needed. The Problem: Resigning is Renouncing? In November 2023, here’s how I put it (emphasis added to highlight the parts now in question): ...

My Bishop, Todd Hunter, preached [an excellent, challenging sermon (“Love Your Enemies, Really?”)](https://friendsofthesavior.org/sermons/love-your-enemies-really-bishop-todd-hunter). It’s definitely worth a listen!

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who cares for his flock: We ask you to bestow upon your Church the gifts of the Holy Spirit in abundance, and to raise up from among us faithful and able persons called to the ministries of Deacon, Priest, and Bishop. Inspire them to spend and be spent for the sake of the Gospel, and make them holy and loving servants and shepherds of the flock for whom you shed your most precious blood. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen**.** ...

I’m getting ordained to the priesthood this Saturday, November 02. For public/posterity’s sake, I wanted to post some of the main parts of the ordination liturgy (from the ACNA’s 2019 Book of Common Prayer). The Presentation The Bishop and People sit. The Presenters, standing before the Bishop, present the Ordinand, saying Reverend Father in God, we present N.N. to be admitted to the Order of Priests. Bishop: Has he been selected in accordance with the Canons of this Church? And do you believe his manner of life to be suitable to the exercise of this ministry? ...