I think the top question among ‘missional’ churches is “how do I lead my church to be present in the neighborhood?” Yeah we know this is the goal. We know all the theological reasons why this is the way it should be. Now what?
The knee jerk response to to start doing projects of justice and mercy in the neighborhood. This is good. But then there are the issues of burnout. And why do none of the people we are ministering to and with ever become part of our church? There’s a nagging disconnect between ministry in the community and what we do on Sunday and who we are as the people of God.
At this year’s Missional Learning Commons we hope to address these concerns. We will have every day practicioners presenting (check out schedule) and then time for questions and dialogue. We hope to have good conversations and diaslogue and share the highs and lows of navigating life in mission as a church. Care to join us? INDICATE YOU ARE COMING HERE ON FB PAGE.
And you can register HERE. (only 10 bucks). Hope to see you all in October 25!!
Also!!! I’ll be in Hamilton Ontario for the Act Like Men? Conference. I’m really looking forward to being in my old hometown. Join me if you can make it!!
And last, but not least, my bro and revolutionary friend Mark Van Steenwyk will be in Elgin Church of the Brethren. He’ll challenge you to rethink how you live in Christ’s Lordship. Check it out. Or just make a copy of this poster and frame it. It’s that good.
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.