In just 4 months, we will be hosting our 2nd North American Gathering in Alexandria, Virginia. The theme of the event is Being Truly Human: Re-Imagining the Resurrectional Life, and we want to take time here on the blog to explore this theme in the months leading up to our time together. In fact, we are going to make our Blog Conversation theme “Being #TrulyHuman” from now until May!
Our Writing Team will be exploring a variety of angles on what it means to be human in light of the resurrection, shining light on diverse theological, cultural, and anthropological topics. We’ll be answering questions like:
- What is the meaning and significance of the imago Dei (image of God)?
- How have we underemphasized the resurrection in theology and practice?
- How does the concept of “new creation” impact our lives in creation and culture?
- What applications of the “truly human” theme do you see for justice, equality, and compassion issues?
- How does the resurrection and the new humanity impact our sense of identity?
- What is the significance of resurrectional theology for the contextual life & witness of local churches?
And More…
We plan to have contributions from those who will be presenting at the gathering and we’d love for you to join in this conversation!
If you’d like to submit an article for this series…
- Download and read over the Missio Alliance Writing Framework to get a sense of what we’re after.
- Draft a post of 600-1,200 words and send it to us at writing@missioalliance.org.
- Be sure to include a brief (<100 words) bio including any social networking links and your picture.
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.