April 30 here in Oxford was a perfect spring day for Rev. Shuler Griffin to be installed (aka “instituted”) as rector of Fountain Anglican Church, a member of the Anglican Mission in the Americas.
Rev. Griffin was born and raised in the Delta — next to Greenville, Mississippi. While a student at Ole Miss, he joined Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He graduated from Ole Miss with a BBA, and is currently Director of Development for the ΑΤΩ National Foundation.
Rev. Griffin’s own words about his finding peace as a Christian:
Rev Shuler’s Journey
I grew up in a family that went to church every Sunday, read the Bible, and prayed occasionally. We were not an overly religious family, but emulated the culture of the 60’s.
When I got to college I continued to go to church, and my fraternity had chapter church many times at the Episcopal Church in Oxford.
When I left college, I continued going to church and reading my Bible, but something was missing. Surely, I enjoyed going to church, I enjoyed reading my Bible, and I sometimes enjoyed praying. But I was missing one thing: I did not have peace.
I was on a trip for my fraternity as a volunteer in South Mississippi and some friends invited me to their church, which happened to be a charismatic church. Unbeknownst to me, my friends had prayed over the seat where they were going to sit me in their church on Sunday morning.
Barely into the sermon, the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, convicted me of my sins. After the service was over, I confessed my sins and professed my faith in Christ. That was September 4, 1988, at the age of 29.
Since then, I have enjoyed the peace that Jesus Christ gives and have continued a closer walk with Him. I have enjoyed reading my Bible, and I have never doubted that the Bible is the word of God, inspired by God. I have memorized over 700 verses and enjoy time in prayer.
In 2014, I was ordained as a deacon. A few years later, I was ordained as a priest. Now, I am the rector of Fountain Anglican Church in Oxford.
The Good Shepherd
The Rt. Rev. Alexander “Sandy” Greene, Bishop Emissary to the Diocese of Bukavu, DRC presided over the ceremony. Two other pastors assisted him: Rev. Tim Frierson of Greater St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Abbeville, and the former head of Fountain Anglican, Rev. Canon David Saunders (who is now ministering at Christ Anglican Church in Mobile, Alabama).
April 30 was chosen, in part, because it is Good Shepherd Sunday for Anglicans (and many other Christians). Bishop Greene emphasized the importance for an Anglican priest to shepherd his flock, especially in his role as teacher of Christian doctrine. As the good Bishop read from 1 Peter 5:2-4 (ESV), Rev. Shuler got a bit misty-eyed:
Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Rev. Griffin led the congregation in reading alternating passages of the King James Bible (KJV) translation of Psalm 23:
Rev. Griffin: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Congregation: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Rev. Griffin: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Congregation: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Rev. Griffin: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Congregation: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Switching back to the English Standard Version (a “close cousin” of the KJV), Rev. Griffin read from the Gospel portion for Good Shepherd Sunday, which comes from the 10th chapter of the Book of John:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Greetings from Kilgali
Rev. Saunders began his talk by noting that Archbishop Kalini, who is based in Kigali, Rwanda, and his wife Frieda send their “love and greetings”. They would soon be revisiting Christ Anglican in Mid-June with Bishop William of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For this day’s occasion, Rev. Saunders was representing Bishop William, who holds Rev. Griffin’s license.
Having recently installed a number of other ministers, Rev. Saunders was keenly aware that in accord with the Apostle Paul’s words to the early Christians in the city of Ephesus:
[Jesus] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…
It is Rev. Griffin’s calling, Rev. Saunders continued, to shepherd the flock here in Oxford (and the calling of other pastors, churches, and clergy too).
Rev. Saunder’s wife, Joan Saunders, spoke next. A native of Batesville, Mississippi, Mrs. Saunders met Rev. Saunders during his 2007–2017 tenure here in Oxford as leader of Fountain Anglican. They’ve now been married for ten years.
Mrs. Saunders testified, “This church represents so much in my life. It was really the beginning of my healing — my healing as a Christian, in Christ Jesus. I couldn’t stand up here 10 years ago.”
She went on to profess, “The Scripture says we are being transformed — it’s a continual process. My question to you today is: Where are you in your journey? Are you listening to the Lord? Are you speaking to him? It’s an active process. We’re not just saved — and that’s it.
Mrs. Saunders continued, “Shuler … you have broken the barriers between blacks and whites coming together [by attending each others’ services]. God blesses unity. Psalm 133 says:
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.”
She called upon Rev. Griffin’s wife, Mrs. Robbin Griffin, and the other ladies of the congregation, “Raise up your prayer warriors, and start praying for one another. Many of us are hurting. You don’t even know that. I was guilty — I didn’t share my stuff for a long time. It’s so important that we do, because when we speak it out, it loses its power…I wouldn’t be where I am today without prayer warriors.”
Bishop Greene, with a Bible in his hand, called upon Rev. Griffin to preach its Word. Holding aloft a large loaf of bread, he instructed him to lead us in the breaking of the bread. To be a teacher of the faith. To make disciples who make disciples.
Holding a set of keys, Bishop Greene said, “Receive these keys and leave open the doors of the church so that many can know salvation.” Handing Rev. Griffin a glass of water: “Baptize all men in obedience to our Lord.”
Then Rev. Griffin knelt down. Rev. Frierson and Rev. Saunders placed hands on him as he prayed:
“Oh Lord, my God, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. Yet You have called Your servant to stand in Your house, and to serve at Your altar. To You and to Your service I devote myself, in body, soul, and spirit.
“Fill my memory with the right record of Your mighty works. And enlighten my understanding with the light of Your Holy Spirit. And may all the desires of my heart and will center in what You have me to do.
“Make me an instrument of Your salvation for the people entrusted to my care. And grant that I may faithfully preach the Gospel, and administer Your Holy Sacraments. And by my life and teachings, set forth Your true and living Word.
“Be always with me in carrying out my duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion. In praises, heighten my love and gratitude. In preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression. In worship, increase my zeal for your Godly preparation.
“And grant that by the clearness and brightness of Your Holy Word, all the world may be drawn into Your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of Your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Rev. Frierson then prayed over Rev. Griffin:
“Eternal God, our Father in Heaven, again we come before You, hearts filled with thanksgiving. We thank You, Father God, for what our eyes have seen and for what our ears have heard. We pray now, Father God, that You bless according to Your will and to Your way. Touch his heart, his mind, through Your Word, that he may lead and guide Your people down a path of righteousness for Your name. We pray not just for Pastor Shuler this morning, but for all of Your servants that You have called through Your will and Your way. We pray, Father God, that You lead and guide. For it’s in Jesus’s name that we pray and ask it all. Amen.”
Next, Bud and Carisa Haire, their daughters Kayla and Kadence, and son Landon were confirmed into the Anglican faith. This ceremony will be covered in my next column.
