Writing with the Church
The Archbishop's Annual Theological Essay Contest
An annual invitation for clergy and lay members of the ACNA to engage the Church’s most pressing theological questions. Presented by Anglican House Publishers, a Ministry Partner of the Anglican Church in North America.
2026 Update:
In the midst of a season of exciting organizational growth, Anglican House has decided to take a break from the theological essay contest this year.
Faithful scholarship
Celebrating Past Winners
An annual invitation for clergy and lay members of the ACNA to engage the Church’s most pressing theological questions. Presented by Anglican House Publishers, a Ministry Partner of the Anglican Church in North America.
Prompt: Marks of discipleship
What does faithful, Anglican discipleship look like in your particular context? What are clear indicators of spiritual growth in individuals and in the congregation as a whole?
Lay Winners:
1st: Heather Peterson
“The Real I Who Speaks”: Five Signs of Spiritual Growth from The Screwtape Letters”
2nd: Emily Goodwin
“Little Christs: Enculturation Leads to Authentic Growth”
3rd: Hannah Lane
“Encountering the Apostolic Faith: Reflections from a New Parishioner”
Clergy Winners:
1st: Rev. Christopher J. Parrish
“Indicators of Mature Christian Discipleship”
2nd: Rev. Josiah Jones
3rd: Rev. Canon Dr. Jon C. Shuler
Prompt: Christian apologetics
What does Christian apologetics look like in the 2020s, and how can we equip ACNA congregations to defend their faith with truth and love?
Lay Winners:
1st: Elizabeth Demmon
“Curious, Resourceful, and Kind: A Seasoning Blend for Gracious Apologetics”
2nd: Ginny Mooney Gullett
“The Reverse ABC’s of Evangelism”
3rd: Michael Distefano
Clergy Winners:
1st: Rev. Jeff Vermilya
“Juanita-Apologetics Made Personal”
2nd: Rev. Joseph L. Boysel
“Transformation As Provocation”
3rd: Rev. Travis J. Bott
“Baptizing the Imagination: The iMind and Christian Apologetics Today”
Prompt: Global Anglicanism
What does it mean to be a global Anglican today? How can congregations participate in the wider movement of Global Anglicanism? (GAFCON / Kigali Commitment)
Lay Winners:
1st: Todd Milton
“An Anglican Walks Into Elevation Church”
2nd: Tyler Leighton Ryder
“The Petrine Spirit of Global Anglicanism: A Summary & Threefold Approach”
3rd: Craig Callon
Clergy Winners:
1st: Rev. Justin Murff
“What does it mean to be a global Anglican today?”
2nd: Rev. Seth Williamson
3rd: Rev. Timothy Matkin
Prompt: Controversial social issues
How can the church effectively deal with controversial social issues of the day, while being true to the gospel and remaining loving to the people?
Lay Winners:
Clergy Winners:
1st: Rev. Mark Brians
“On Parrhesia and Gospel Witness”
2nd: Rev. Travis J. Bott
“Strange New World in the Prayer Book: The Sovereign Self and the Psalter’s Invitation”
3rd: Rev. Logan Gates
Prompt: Pandemics & theology
Provide a Biblical and Theological perspective on pandemics. While there have been pandemics throughout history and in the history of the Church, no one alive today has experienced anything like it.
Lay Winners:
1st: Candidate disqualified
2nd: Marissa Burt
3rd: Kathy Ciarlariello
Clergy Winners:
1st: Rev. Toby Larson
“Has God Changed? Biblical And Theological Perspectives On Pandemics”
2nd: Rev. Fabien Pering
3rd: Rev. Marc Dean Wilson
“A Positive Perspective for a Flourishing Fellowship Amid a Global Pandemic”