COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Fourteen bishops from across the Anglican Church in North America came together September 20-24 for the Bishops Leadership Academy (BLA). Held at the Glen Eyrie Retreat and Conference Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the bishops had the opportunity to meet together for teaching, prayer, resourcing, and fellowship.
The BLA strengthens the ministry of the Church by providing bishops with an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and professional development in a relaxed setting that fosters community and collaboration.
The BLA also connects newer bishops with senior bishops who can help to mentor them in their early years in the episcopate. These connections can be valuable for new bishops who are often facing new and complex challenges, while simultaneously experiencing the solitude of leadership.
“The amazing thing is that bishops come into their office and often find only isolation,” reflected the Rt. Rev. Andrew Williams. “We struggle to find others who can share our troubles. Coming here has connected me with those who, like me, are beginning their journey and often feel like they’re on the journey alone. Aside from the ministry resources this provides, that personal connection alone is invaluable.” In addition to seminars with teaching and discussion, the bishops celebrated Holy Communion each morning.
Archbishop Foley Beach sent video greetings to the bishops gathered, encouraging them to take the opportunity to dig in and seek a depth of relationship with one another that they can take with them post-conference.
The Anglican Church in North America partnered with the American Anglican Council (AAC) to provide this training, and together they are committed to bringing this ministry resource to future generations of bishops.
