It’s Friday, and there’s some events happening here nearby. I recommend them. And they’re cheap (which I’m sorry always factors in for me:) ).
1.) David Fitch Speaking (that’s me) on “Missional: Not a Program.” This is happening tomorrow night, Saturday Mar 23rd. at Northern Seminary. Everyone is invited. I’ll be presenting on why we’re having problems shaping churches into “Missional” and where do we go from here. There will be copies of Prodigal Christianity for sale at half price. There will be appetizers, conversation, Q&A. My bro Geoff Hoslclaw will be with me to answer questions on the book. More information here.
2.) Epic Fail: is having another event at Northern Apr 26-27. Think of it, a place where you can let go of the need to be a “super pastor.” I think we all need (from time to time) to relieve ourselves of the drive to be a super pastor thereby freeing our selves to humbly faithful serve out of the Holy Spirit’s work in our communities. Check this gig out here.
3.) Making Peace Seminar: My buddy Jim Yperen and team (we’ve journeyed some together) are presenting a seminar on the “guts” of making peace, the practice of reconciliation, in our churches. June 15th at Wheaton College, Wheaton IL. I recommend it. Check it out here.
4.) Wheaton Theology Conference: is on Political Theology, a topic near and dear to my heart. Stanley Hauerwas and Bill Cavanaugh will be there among other notables (including Scot McKnight). You can’t register for the conference any longer but the evening sessions are open to the public. Check it out here.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYBODY!
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. _____________.
2. Seek to make your own voice heard.
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.
3. Share your story.
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.
In view of those suggestions for shaping conversation on our site and in an effort to curate a hospitable space of open conversation, Missio Alliance may delete comments and/or ban users who show no regard for constructive engagement, especially those whose comments are easily construed as trolling, threatening, or abusive.