Next weekend, October 25, 26, we’re gathering to talk shop: the nitty gritty of living and leading missional communities. Below is the line-up and some of the faces we’ll be seeing for the Missional Learning Commons. Look at the entire schedule. Notice where the most time is allocated. The majority of the time is scheduled for dialogue between you who are coming and the presenters. I’ll be moderating as well. Take a look below.
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Missional Learning Commons 2013 – Program
How do we lead the church into our local neighborhood/ contexts and what do we actually do when we get there?
This year’s Missional learning Commons aims to talk about how we lead our church communities into mission. We want to get past the jargon and discuss how we might actually do this. What practices might we use to guide people into God’s mission in their neighborhoods, contexts, work and local third places? Key to this question is the concept of ‘presence.’ We believe that by actually leading in the practice of “being present” with the hurting, proclaiming gospel, and practicing reconciliation, that Jesus promises to be present in the midst. His Kingdom shall break forth and become visible. We in essence become participants in God’s mission in the world.
On Friday night Chris Smith leads us through his little e-book The Virtue of Dialogue (Get it HERE free) . Make sure you read it and join us at 7 p.m. at The Commons in downtown Westmont. Afterwards we’ll be sitting around talking at a local establishment. This is always a great time for encouraging one another!
On Saturday we’ll be talking about the three practices. Being present (Matt 25: 31-45), reconciliation (Matt 18:15-20) and heralding (or proclaiming) gospel (Luke 10:1-17). The MLC wants to explore these practices theologically and then what does it look like when we actually do this in the neighborhood. We are calling these leadership practices ‘tactics” that can help us lead people into Mission.
The schedule is as follows:
9:ooa – Leading Your Church Into the Neighborhood: (Theological Intro) David Fitch
9:30a – The Tactic of “Being Present” in the Neighborhood
- 15 minutes on a theology of presence Jean Sharp – Peace of Christ Church -Westmont
- 15 minutes on example of doing it in neighborhood – Chris Smith – Englewood Indianapolis
- 15 minutes at Tables discussion
- 30 minutes Large group discussion
- TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION YOU CAN PREPARE BY READING THIS POST
10:45a – The Tactic of “Reconciliation” in the Neighborhood
- 15 minutes on theology of reconciliation/conflict and inbreaking Kingdom Eric Lerew Fusion Church Waucanda
- 15 minutes on example of doing it in neighborhood Darryl Saffore Lawndale Chicago
- 15 minutes at Tables discussion
- 30 minutes Large group discussion
- TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION YOU CAN PREPARE BY READING THIS POST
12:15p – LUNCH (LUKE 10 Project/Eccclesia Network/Missio Alliance Presentation)
- Get to know new people over a meal together
1:30p – The Tactic of “Heralding Gospel” in the Neighborhood
- 15 minutes on theology of proclamation of gospel Geoff Holsclaw Life on the Vine Long Grove
- 15 minutes on example of doing it in neighborhood Cyd Holsclaw Life on the Vine Long Grove
- 15 minutes at Tables discussion
- 30 minutes Large group discussion
- TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION YOU CAN PREPARE BY READING THIS POST
2:45p – COMMISSION & BENEDICTION
PRESENTERS
Cyd Holsclaw – Life onthe Vine Christian Community Long Grove IL
Geoff Holsclaw – Life on the Vine Christian Community Long Grove IL
Eric Lerew – Fusion Church – Waucanda IL
Darryl Saffore – Lawndale Christian Community Chicago
Chris Smith – Engelwood Christian Church – Indianapolis IN
Jean Sharp – Peace of Christ Church – Westmont IL
THERE’S STILL TIME TO REGISTER!! YOU CAN COME ONLY ON SATURDAY IF THAT WORKS. CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED IF YOU LET US KNOW (e-mail me).
YOU CAN REGISTER HERE.
DETAILS AS TO LOCATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND HERE. SEE YOU SOON!
Missio Alliance Comment Policy
The Missio Alliance Writing Collectives exist as a ministry of writing to resource theological practitioners for mission. From our Leading Voices to our regular Writing Team and those invited to publish with us as Community Voices, we are creating a space for thoughtful engagement of critical issues and questions facing the North American Church in God’s mission. This sort of thoughtful engagement is something that we seek to engender not only in our publishing, but in conversations that unfold as a result in the comment section of our articles.
Unfortunately, because of the relational distance introduced by online communication, “thoughtful engagement” and “comment sections” seldom go hand in hand. At the same time, censorship of comments by those who disagree with points made by authors, whose anger or limited perspective taints their words, or who simply feel the need to express their own opinion on a topic without any meaningful engagement with the article or comment in question can mask an important window into the true state of Christian discourse. As such, Missio Alliance sets forth the following suggestions for those who wish to engage in conversation around our writing:
1. Seek to understand the author’s intent.
If you disagree with something the an author said, consider framing your response as, “I hear you as saying _________. Am I understanding you correctly? If so, here’s why I disagree. _____________.
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We deeply desire and value the voice and perspective of our readers. However you may react to an article we publish or a fellow commenter, we encourage you to set forth that reaction is the most constructive way possible. Use your voice and perspective to move conversation forward rather than shut it down.
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One of our favorite tenants is that “an enemy is someone whose story we haven’t heard.” Very often disagreements and rants are the result of people talking past rather than to one another. Everyone’s perspective is intimately bound up with their own stories – their contexts and experiences. We encourage you to couch your comments in whatever aspect of your own story might help others understand where you are coming from.
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