Serving on a church committee: several different reactions come to my mind. The first, to be honest, can be serving out of a sense of duty because the actual committee meeting is not exactly exciting. Another reaction is that the people on the committee can be really nice and enjoyable, so in spite of the content the time can be enjoyable. Worst case scenario is a committee that has a lot of politics and conflict, which is awful. However, sometimes the committee has both wonderful people and meaningful, exciting content, which is the best of both worlds.

In the Fall of 2014, as our congregation, Restoration Anglican Church, moved into our new facility that is located just north of the Ballston Metro stop in Arlington, we began to dream about what it would look like to help plant other new Anglican churches inside the Beltway.

As we worked together with another teammate from Germany, we began to learn the ropes of church planting. Our team had many decisions to make, and some of them were significant and consequential. We were always weighing different options. At the time we were not confirmed in a denomination so we were working with those from a non-denominational background. Our little church met in a home and we were deeply involved in people’s lives.

In my busy world, trying to balance many competing demands, I often struggle with “keeping the main thing the main thing.” Again and again, I ask myself, “What is really important?” and “How can I stay focused on that?”

My name is Desiree Barker and I am a member of All Saints' in Woodbridge, VA, and a member of the Great Commission Committee. My husband, Steve, and I have been at All Saints’ since the early 1990’s. We have one daughter who lives in Charlottesville with her husband and our two active grandsons. I have been a lay ministry leader for more than 25 years

As a follow up to an article in last month’s Messenger, I've been asked to share the story of how God has led our family into our neighborhood, building relationships with neighbors, ministering to them, and seeing some respond to the Gospel

Jay Baylor: "I never expected to end up in the city. I’m the son of farmers and truck drivers from Central Pennsylvania. In 2006, I was challenged by Heidi Baker’s testimony to “go where only the Gospel could make a difference.” I felt the Lord guide us into East Baltimore, one of the most challenged neighborhoods in our region."

My most recent experience with the Great Commission Committee came at the ACNA's Provincial Assembly in Wheaton, IL. I was part of the Always Forward track, the team equipping our province for church planting. Being among church planters and church-planting leaders was such an encouragement. I'd love to share a couple of highlights from that time.

I never expected to end up in the city. I’m the son of farmers and truck drivers from Central Pennsylvania. In 2006, I was challenged by Heidi Baker’s testimony to “go where only the Gospel could make a difference.” I felt the Lord guide us into East Baltimore, one of the most challenged neighborhoods in our region.

We’re launching a new series here on DOMACAST where we’re focusing on the mission and ministry of church planting and church health. This work in the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic is led by what’s called the Great Commission Committee—or the GCC. Tom Herrick, Canon for Church Planting for the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic—as well as the Executive Director of the Titus Institude—is chair of the GCC. We asked Tom to be our first guest in this series we call “Into the Harvest.”