October 28, 2023

An update from Fr. Cliff Warner

Dear Christ Church, 

I’ve never written a note quite like this one, so consequential and life-shaping, trying to squeeze the inexpressible into a few hundred words to be delivered digitally. I wish that we could be sitting across a table from each other, having a conversation right now. I’m writing to let you know, with bone-deep gratitude for the privilege of leading this community for almost eighteen years, that I will be stepping down as Rector of Christ Church Austin. This decision comes after two years of slow deliberate listening to the Spirit of God. I shared the long version of this story, and the factors that have played into this decision, during the Parish Retreat earlier today. You can watch that online here. 

Often, an announcement like this occurs when the leader has accepted a position and call to serve in a new capacity or location. You might call this the “pull factor” in a vocational transition, a positive pull toward a new specific calling. That is not the case for me; I don’t yet know where the Spirit is leading me. Sometimes vocational transitions happen when there is a “push factor,” where there is some kind of unwanted or negative circumstance or burnout causing the departure. That is not the case for me either. 

I have simply had the growing sense that God called me to this parish for a purpose that had a long, adventurous, and beautiful arc, stretching almost two decades—through questions of congregational survival vs. dissolution, from the Episcopal Church into what was emerging as a new Anglican movement in North America, through multiple rented spaces for worship, two church plants, buying and renovating a property, and leading through the personal and congregational crisis of Christine’s accident and the pandemic and cultural crises of 2020-2021. Christ Church is at a very healthy, strong, and stable place right now—our finances are in good order, new people are visiting every Sunday, we are fully staffed, and there is a healthy hum and growth at every turn, while at the same time a deepening and maturing in prayer, formation, and creative initiatives. God called me to love and lead our parish through these chapters of the story, and now He’s asking me to trust Him as He has something/someone new for Christ Church, and something new for me. 

I feel like Abraham might have felt when God called him to simply go, start walking into the unknown, “into a land which I will show you.” My Scripture reading recently took me to the story of Jesus calling the disciples, who literally dropped their nets and started following Jesus immediately when he called. They had no idea what they were about to experience, doing daily life with Jesus for the next few years. They just started walking. And the twelve became the 120 in the upper room on Pentecost, which became 3120 by the end of the day, which became a movement that transformed the Mediterranean world within a few generations. 

Again, the link above will give you more context and understanding, but let me cover a few practical matters that might be on your mind, like “What’s next?” Your Vestry, a wise and humble group of people, has been working on a transition plan that will be ready to share with you next week. Please read Vestry's letter which follows my message. In these weeks of conversations and discernment, they, along with other key leaders, have demonstrated both how much they love this community and how skilled and thoughtful they are to help navigate each next step.  Also, nothing is changing soon. I will remain as Rector for some months to come in order to facilitate a smooth process. 

Lastly, we will have more opportunities in the coming months to look back together; but I want to start now by expressing how grateful I am to Christine, not only for her role in my life but also the congregation’s life over these many years. I owe so much of the man and priest that I am to her love and influence, her unwavering support and en-courage-ment (putting courage in me). Likewise, her touch is felt, and traces of her influence are seen all over Christ Church through her servant-leadership and various ministries among us. We love you, Christ Church, and thank God for you—an exquisitely beautiful community.  

Peace, 

Cliff+