Focus on Formation

A few months ago, I began a conversation with an old friend who is the rector of the Church of the Advent in Boston, MA. The rector in question is Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliffe, a distinguished and faithful priest who has done everything from serving as the dean of the Anglican cathedral in Cairo to international dialogue. He is also a member of the John Wesley Institute board of advisors.

Recently, the Advent has decided to focus on formation, particularly engaging faithful scholars to work with the church as they go deeper into the Christian faith.

So, I’m happy to share with you all that I will be in Boston for the Fall as Senior Fellow in Residence, working alongside the clergy and lay leaders to strengthen and launch new programs all focused on formation. One of these programs is specifically aimed at young adults, an age group that has been a focus for my ministry for many years.

And I’m happy to go to Boston—particularly in the Fall—as it is where I attended graduate school and have many happy memories.

Of course, I will continue my work as director of the JWI, but from Boston. Instead of writing these newsletters from near the White House, I’ll be writing to you from Beacon Hill. And I also hope to set up a gathering for faithful Methodists in New England while I’m there.

The formation of the laity is at the heart of the JWI’s mission. That’s the reason that we exist! When we founded the JWI in 2021, we saw the need for deeper formation in the broad Wesleyan family, to dive deeper into the Scriptures, to provide training in the historic Christian witness, the “faith once delivered to the saints,” and to promote the Christ-like life, scriptural holiness.  

I covet your prayers! And I thank you for your continued support for the JWI. Even though I’m the director, I’m not the only scholar that the JWI sends to local churches. We do this all the time. Our aim is to teach Christ and Him crucified, in Washington, in Boston, and wherever we’re called.