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Rekindling the Flames of Pentecost
by Bishop Malcolm Harding
published in Anglicans for Renewal Canada - Fall 2004

Dear Friends in Christ,

In September 2001, I began my post retirement ministry as the roving Ambassador for Anglican Renewal Ministries, Canada. Some of you will have heard me refer to my ministry as being "on the old sawdust trail". That trail has taken me to twenty- four dioceses now, and into what I would estimate to be close to one hundred Anglican settings from coast to coast for a variety of renewal events. My constant theme has been one of rekindling the flames in the fireplace of Anglicanism. A fireplace is indeed designed to foster a blaze and likewise our faith communities are meant to be on fire for our Lord. My whole ministry is really all about helping clergy and parishioners rekindle those vital flames of Pentecost so that churches can become what God has always intended them to be ----"Aglow in the Spirit"

At the time of writing my itinerary for the rest of this year (2004) is full with parish missions, a FLAME weekend (Fellowship and Learning for Anglican Men's Enrichment), clergy days, and Leadership Training Institutes for both clergy and laity. All of theses events are a part of the Mission of A.R.M. which is "To help people discover the fullness of their life in Jesus Christ, in which they experience the release of the Holy Spirit and his gifts for ministry" I am now working on my itinerary for 2005 and I am completely open to any inquiries or invitations. So far in 2005 only the weeks from mid-May to mid-June are booked for renewal events. To help you in discerning God's will for an ARM event in your parish or diocese I am listing below some of the areas in which I am prepared to offer teaching:

  • Evangelism: motive, message and biblical foundations: this would also include a presentation on Personal or Friendship Evangelism with some practical guidelines for "Telling one's story-sharing one's faith"

  • A look at the Local Parish as an Evangelizing Community: The church that God can use for evangelism. This includes a solid look at what I have discovered in my travels to be "The Ten Vital Signs of a Healthy Anglican Parish". Helping a parish, large or small to evaluate its potential for evangelism.

  • The Personal, Corporate, and Public Dimensions of our Faith Journey: this includes the basic call to Christ, the call to live our faith in Christian Community (all crew--no passengers) and the call to reach out in true servant ministry into the wider community.

  • Community 101: life within the body of Christ, parish cell groups (weekly small parish group gatherings), how to form and lead such groups, gift identification for all parishioners and empowering lay leadership and ministry, and cultivating a servant heart for effective ministry.

  • Spiritual Gifts: identification, description, discernment and use within the church.

  • Leadership for clergy: styles of leadership which are conducive to parish growth, the parish priest as an enabler and equipper, new models of ministry including all of the baptized--Total Ministry.

  • Bible Study: Examining and demonstrating small, non-threatening Bible Studies using an aboriginal circle method

  • An overview of Philippians looking at such emerging themes as prayer, thanksgiving, servant ministry, suffering, joy, humility, unity, faithfulness, generosity and contentment.

  • The Person, Power and Release of the Holy Spirit: experiencing a Personal Pentecost

  • My own personal Journey of Faith.

    If any any the above whets your spiritual appetite please contact me and together we can discern just where the Lord may be leading. As the Ambassador for A.R.M. I have been privileged to speak at clergy retreats both deanery and diocesan, FLAME and Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen gatherings, a number of parish missions in urban, rural and remote communities, a Christian Ashram, an O.S.L Healing Conference, parish retreats, diocesan synods, an Anglican Fellowship of Prayer conference and also be a part of several teams leading clergy and lay Leadership Training Institutes in various parts of Canada and teach a course on Evangelism and Discipleship at the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, Saskatoon. I can be reached in Brandon, MB at 204-726-5738. Email - mharding@mts.net

    Every Blessing,

    - Bishop Malcolm Harding.


    Bishop Malcolm is the ambassador of ARM Canada and was formerly the Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Brandon.

    The Rt. Rev. Malcolm Harding
    Episcopal Visitor to ARM

    Arm Ambassador
    Anglican Renewal Ministries