The John 10:10 Pilgrimage

Dear friends,

I have 164 places to go: I am now on a pilgrimage. I call it the 'John 10:10 Pilgrimage.' In John 10:10, we find the words of our Lord: 'I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.'

Over 18 months or so, it is my intention to visit each one of the 164 churches that are part of the one congregation that is the Diocese of New Jersey. On each visit, I am looking for life: the abundant life of Jesus Christ. I have a subtitle for this pilgrimage. It's based on a Country and Western song, 'Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places.' Only, on my pilgrimage, I am looking for clergy and people, practicing Christ's abundant life together, in the all the right churches -- all 164 of them!

Friends, on October 18th, 2003 I was given a number of powerful symbols and symbolic instruments of the office and ministry of a bishop. But I was only dressed up so that I could charge you up and take you out into the world to love and serve the Lord. I regard the mitre, the staff, the cross and ring and other signs of a bishop as accessories: accessories for service. These outward signs and this ministry as Chief Pastor make me an accessory to your mission and ministry. Like an accessory to a crime, I will not be present when most of the service of Christ takes place in our Diocese. But if, by the grace of God, I handle these accessories faithfully, I will be a steady contributor and an enthusiastic accessory to the commission of the acts of an apostolic church; i.e., a Church sent forth to serve in the name of our living Lord. I hope to be convicted of being an accessory to ministries that show forth the abundant life of the living Christ.

So, I am George, your brother in Christ. I walked out of Trinity Cathedral that Saturday in October 2003 just another sinner, saved by God's amazing grace and beloved of Christ. By the grace of God, however, I became your bishop and was accessorized for service. I thank you for this glorious beginning. I ask for your prayers. I will be coming to a church near you soon. I am coming as a servant of the servants of God. I am coming to look for that abundant life that Christ promises to us and to the world that God so loves. I am coming to become an accessory to the apostolic acts by which we witness to our Lord and share his abundant life with the world.

Right Onward!

The Right Reverend George E. Councell
XI Bishop of New Jersey