Todd Hunter (bishop) explained

Type:Bishop
Honorific Prefix:The Right Reverend
Todd D. Hunter
Bishop of the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others
Church:Anglican Church in North America
Ordination:October 25, 2008 (diaconal)
Ordained By:The Rt. Rev. Philip Jones
Consecration:September 9, 2009
Consecrated By:The Most Rev. Emmanuel Kolini

Todd Dean Hunter (born 1956) is an American author, church planter, and bishop in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). He is the founding diocesan bishop of The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others. In 2021, Hunter founded the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace, an interdenominational community that seeks to develop the Christlike character necessary to activate justice, leading to a life of deep peace for all people.

Prior to being received into Anglicanism in 2009, Hunter was a leader in the charismatic Vineyard movement. He has also been affiliated with a number of evangelical movements and organizations during his career, including the Jesus Movement, Calvary Chapel, and Alpha.

Hunter is the author of Christianity Beyond Belief: Following Jesus for the Sake of Others, Giving Church Another Chance, The Outsider Interviews, The Accidental Anglican, Our Favorite Sins, Our Character at Work, Deep Peace and What Jesus Intended.

Early career and the Vineyard

Hunter was converted to Christianity in 1976 as part of the Jesus Movement.[1] He completed his B.S. in business administration from Cal Poly Pomona[2] and in 1979 moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, with his wife, Debbie Hunter, to plant a Calvary Chapel-affiliated church.

The Wheeling church later became affiliated with the Vineyard, and Hunter was hired by John Wimber in 1987 as a Senior Associate pastor at Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship and to help start the Association of Vineyard Churches. In 1991, Hunter moved to Virginia Beach, to oversee Vineyard churches in the Southeast. While there, he completed an M.A. in Biblical studies at Regent University. He returned to Southern California in 1994 as national coordinator of the Vineyard, and after Wimber's death in 1997, served for four years as president of the Vineyard.

Church planting

In 2009 at the urging of Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) chair Chuck Murphy and in recognition of his role as an overseer of churches in the West, Hunter was consecrated as a bishop in AMiA. Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda was the chief consecrator, and Rick Warren preached at the consecration service.[3]

Transition to ACNA

In late 2011 Hunter was one of nine AMiA bishops to resign from the Rwandan House of Bishops after a controversy between Murphy and new Rwandan archbishop Onesphore Rwaje over AMiA oversight.[4] In 2012, Hunter expressed regret over his actions, reporting "that he had asked for and had received forgiveness from... Rwaje for 'my part in actions, attitudes or communications that were hurtful to him or to my brother bishops in Rwanda.'"[5]

In July 2024, Hunter announced his intent to retire as diocesan bishop of C4SO by April 2026, triggering an election process for his successor.[6]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hunter, Todd. The Accidental Anglican: The Surprising Appeal of the Liturgical Church. 2010. InterVarsity Press. Downer's Grove, Illinois. 978-0-8308-3839-4.
  2. Web site: Todd Hunter :: Senior Pastor. Holy Trinity Anglican Church. September 11, 2012.
  3. News: Consecration Adds Three New Anglican Mission Bishops. September 11, 2012.
  4. News: Ross. Bobby. Leaving Rwanda: Breakaway Anglicans Break Away Again. September 11, 2012. Christianity Today. July 12, 2011.
  5. News: Conger. George. Bishop Todd Hunter joins ACNA. September 11, 2012. Anglican Ink. May 8, 2012.
  6. Web site: C4SO’s Diocesan Bishop Todd Hunter Announces Retirement . C4SO . 3 July 2024.