From the Desk of The Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce
Interim Dean and President, Seminary of the Southwest
The work of the Iona Collaborative is essential to the flourishing of small and rural congregations across the Church. In fact, it was one of the reasons I said an enthusiastic YES to serving as Interim Dean and President of Seminary of the Southwest.
Why?
Because the Iona Collaborative
—as one of the core programs of Seminary of the Southwest—
is making a real difference!
My first spiritual director was a laywoman named Mary Butler. Mary helped me recognize the importance of nurturing emerging ministries in places where traditional models of ministry seemed impossible, but where the need for faithful leadership was tremendous.
When I served as Bishop Provincial in the Diocese of West Missouri, a lay-led congregation taught me the extraordinary power of ongoing formation. With an average Sunday attendance of eight people, this congregation had some of the best-formed lay leaders in the diocese. Their outreach ministries far exceeded what anyone might expect from a congregation of their size. They were thriving!
And in the Diocese of Los Angeles, I witnessed the Iona Collaborative help prepare people with limited English proficiency for effective ordained ministry, opening doors for gifted leaders to serve the Church and their communities.
These experiences have strengthened my conviction that the future of the Church depends not simply on sustaining our existing institutions, but on recognizing, equipping, and celebrating the faithful leaders God is raising up in every community.
That is precisely what the Iona Collaborative does, and I am asking you to help us strengthen and sustain this extraordinary ministry. Your generosity makes it possible to equip faithful leaders, nurture congregations of every size, and bring the hope of the Gospel to communities that might otherwise go underserved.
Please consider making a gift to support the Iona Collaborative. Together, we can ensure that geography, congregation size, or limited resources never stand in the way of God’s call. I believe with all my heart that this is the future of the Church, and I invite you to help make it possible!
The Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce
Interim Dean and President
Seminary of the Southwest
