Stephen Lyon, Co-ordinator Bible in the Life of the Church Project writes – As part of my role as co-ordinator of the Anglican Communion’s Bible in the Life of the Church project, I have spent more hours than most discovering how Anglicans and Episcopalians read their Bible. The consistent truth is that we just don’t read it enough which—for a faith tradition that considers scripture, reason and traditional central to who we are—raises all sorts of challenging questions.
The main one is: ‘Why aren’t we reading our Bible on a daily basis?’ It’s certainly not because there’s a lack of Bible reading schemes out there, there are a myriad: online, on smartphones, sent through the post once a month, in magazines, and even church newspapers. And yet…
There is a phrase used in Thailand ‘Same, same but different’ which is how I would describe one read the Bible-in-a-year project that has grown from a trial at one church to something that’s spreading around the Anglican world: The Bible Challenge.
I can’t say it’s ‘better’ than any other scheme; certainly there is nothing unique about reading the Bible in a year. There is nothing unique about a whole congregation reading the Bible in a year. But what is unique is challenging a whole congregation to read the Bible in a year together; at a time each day that suits each person; by a means they find fits their approach; and with constant and consistent encouragement to continue from the rector/vicar/priest, and from one another.
The Bible Challenge began in St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, USA as a challenge from one rector to one congregation to read the Bible in 12 months. In only a few years the idea has grown both in scope (different reading guides for Lent, Advent, and the year are available now) and in geography (churches around the globe are currently taking part too).
The Bible in the Life of the Church project discovered that although we say as a Church that all Scripture is important, we only really read parts of Scripture – a canon within the canon. The Bible Challenge encourages people to read it all.
Those taking part in The Bible Challenge are seeing, some for the first time, the BIG picture of the Bible. Many are also learning to love their daily time with God’s word. People at St Thomas’s said The Bible Challenge offered a discipline that, while it did not come easily, was a habit they soon missed if they were unable to read that day’s Scripture. But the challenge is given with the encouragement of regular e-mails that support those involved and offer guidance to what is being read.
They also spoke of their faith deepening in understanding as they saw the significance of Scripture to their everyday lives. There was clear evidence that as the challenge took hold of St Thomas’ the congregational life was built up from within.
If The Bible Challenge was important for individuals, it also became important for the corporate life of the church. Now all commissions and committees start their meetings with Scripture reading and discussion. Overall, the difference to St Thomas’ Church is that more people are now reading the Bible; this means more people are more active in their faith in a number of ways. Even stewardship increased!
For some who were part of the early days of The Bible Challenge, that experience has encouraged them to deeper engagement with God’s Word and mission. People have started using different versions to compare what Scripture says in each; others have been inspired to go on to formal ministerial training.
I’d suggest that Bible in a year schemes in general and The Bible Challenge in particular help members of our Anglican family worldwide to see the Scriptures in a new, attractive light. Many have told me that they are seeing the Bible as a vital part of their walk with God, their journey with their church community, and their outreach.
You might say that, for an increasing number of Anglicans and Episcopalians, the Bible is has become same, same, but different.
For further details:
The Bible Challenge: http://thecenterforbiblicalstudies.org/
Contact – The Rev Marek Zabriskie: briskie@stthomaswhitemarsh.org
The Bible in the Life of the Church project: www.aco.org/ministry/theological/bible/index.cfm
Contact – Stephen Lyon (Coordinator): stephen.lyon@anglicancommunion.org