In a comment about the workshop Neal said this:
The workshop talks a lot about postmodernity, but still acts almost totally modern. That’s appropriate for the moderns, but if you want to transfer ownership of the workshop to the next generation, then let the workshop be a place where ministry in this new context is modeled. Be EPIC. Have some classes and be blunt about the changes that postmodernity is going to have on the church. Have a class that teaches people how to meditate, teach lectio devina, ancient meditative practices. Assign homework. Ask people to read a certain book before they come (Something by Leonard Sweet, or Brian McLaren, or even Rubel Shelley’s latest), and find someone qualified to lead a discussion about it. . .
OK–What are some other ways that we can make next year’s workshop more EPIC in nature. How can we begin to connect with emerging generations, while at the same time continuing to engage those who already find a “modern” workshop beneficial.
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
Wade, This reminds me of the conversation that you and I had on Saturday of the Workshop. Maybe you could bring in McLaren or someone similar, and let them have some freedom to do as well as teach. I know it will be hard for some to accept, so provide alternative things. Maybe a dual track: Modern and postmodern.
Joe
Wade: I wasn’t at the conference so I’m hesitant to respond but will in case my small ideas might be constructive to the ongoing dialogue.
Experience
Participation
Imagination
Connectivity
I’m guessing this is EPIC in an abbreviated form. If you are asking about worship (singing, praying, etc.) I would recommend (depending on the ease of transition) finding other spaces to worship at. For example, have 4 different churches (maybe high liturgical churches) that really use their space and archietecture to display who God is. Have people attend each church or they could choose which church to go to during a session. Jay Voorhes is doing this for the EC in Nashville this May.
I would go beyond teaching elements of ancient disciplines….why not do them there, like when we did homework in class. What we don’t need is to promote change just for the sake of change in our tribe, but make aware of the changing context we find ourselves in. I don’t know how many in our tribe witness these changes going on, so that might be helpful to know ahead of time. As far as teaching, I would try and get folks like Mark Miller to talk about the power of storytelling, or Joe Myers to discuss the effect of not submitting to the programmish small group as an end all solution, or have Doug Pagitt talk about using our bodies as prayer or preaching that goes beyond preaching.
If the emergent church is not a movement and more like a dialogue, then let that be your guide. Again, I haven’t been to the Workshop so my views my be bunk, but just thought I’d throw my 2 cents in for what its worth.
Wade, If there is a good space at the fairgrounds, you could always set up a labyrinth or put up stations of the cross and let people walk through them on their own time and experience it for themselves. Or ask people to fast one day of the workshop (or one day beforehand) and meet to share about it. One thing I’d love to see is a speaker who embodies a lifestyle of silence and solitude introduce that in a participatory setting (I’m going through Nouwen’s “Way of the Heart” with my church…but with mixed reactions). There could be a specially designed place for prayer and comtemplation and journaling (Maybe with sheets or posters introducing different kinds of ancient prayers). Enforce silence. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head. God bless.
I personally think that if Jesus were here today he would teach the same basic lesson just with different methods even in this Post-Modern world. As long as we don’t lose focus on that, as long as we teach the Gospel Boldly, then God is glorified. Wade if you want to reach emerging generations I personally think and I don’t want to sound biased but my generation I guess the “911 Generation” is the one emerging from the Status Quo. We are tired of casual Christianity. We want something more and we are trying to do something about it. Our generation needs older generations to take us under their wings and show us the Gospel. Show us Jesus. That’s what we need.
Not wanting to promote division … but … perhaps it’s time for a second ‘workshop’ in Tulsa maybe in the Fall (or some kind of emergent event at Garnett). From my viewpoint, I do not see many ways to merge the prospectus of the Workshop with the kinds of things suggested here (they are all good). Dramatic change at the workshop disengages those who have attended for many years … Lack of change potentially means disengaging the younger crowd (although all of the young people I know who attend enjoy it). Plus if next year’s agenda is focused on Christian Church / Churches of Christ / unity / history etc. … it just seems to me to be an unfocused effort. There are clearer minds than mine…but to me it feels like we’re trying to make a clay man using play-doh and concrete.
I can see where John is coming from… perhaps the whole “emergent” thing should wait one more year or something, for the sake of the unity efforts in 2006…
Still, I think that could be room for tracks on emerging ministries. The future of the unity in Restoration churches is probably at least somewhat dependent upon a clear vision for reaching out to this generation, and all of us joining in on that.
Of course, reaching this generation is a highly geographical thing. What works in one place might not in another. Then again, IMHO, what needs to be at the heart of the emergent movement is not more tips, tricks, and secrets of the trade that will increase your pomo ministry by 30% over the next 6 months. What we need is a simple call back to true, cross-centered discipleship in Jesus Christ. I know that’s what I need. No more show, no more flare, no more 3 steps and your church will reach the 18-30 age group.
Let’s talk about getting our “parishoners” out of the pew and back into the community… feeding the poor and needy, caring for orphans and widows, inviting people into our homes and sharing our lives with them.
Yes, make church leaders aware of how this generation processes information, but also help them understand that some cool cheezy acrostic like EPIC is not the answer to all their problems. That seems like more of a pre-packaged ministry tool than something authentic. I realize that the heart of it is authentic, but it looks just like the “5 purposes of the church” to me.
It seems to me that a lot of our post-modern ministry ideas are just more of the same from the previous generation, but this time it’s just packaged in candles and dim-lighting. Don’t teach our modern churches to manufacture something, because eventually, post-moderns will see right through it…
If you want to do something experiential, have a 4 hour slot of time set aside where instead of all of us sitting inside our lovely fairgrounds, we go out to the homeless people and do a soup kitchen or pray with them in their homes. That’s what I call an EPIC idea!!!!
End soapbox now
Brian
Wow, now that I wrote that down, that sounds like a really good idea… Wade, I’m serious. Let’s set aside some time at the Workshop where we go out on the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma and care for people… Call me crazy, call me idealistic, but I think it would be beautiful. Logistically difficult, but wonderful… and I think the heart of God would truly be blessed.
Wade –
As he wrapped up his third lesson at Tulsa, Len Sweet said something very powerful and very insightful. After talking all about the world of extremes that we find ourselves in, he said, “The key to ministry in this culture is to build a bridge between the extremes.”
At the ACU Lectureships this year, Ronnie Norman, from Sugarland, Texas did just that in his class titled: “Churches of Christ at Our Best: Eight Forward Steps Your Church Can Take Right Now to Move Ahead Without Breaking Up.” The class was literally overflowing with students of all ages, both men and women. If the local Fire Marshall had seen how many people were in that classroom, it would never have been allowed to proceed.
Ronnie began by emphasizing the marvelous qualities of the churches of Christ. He then spoke of being vision-driven rather than heritage-driven. He very wisely stated, “If I wouldn’t hurt my personal body over something, then I’m not going to hurt the body of Christ over it.”
He also stressed the importance of giving attention to the Sunday morning experience, which drives the local church. He then explained how to do that. It was like he took Len Sweet’s ideas and turned them into very usable, easy-to-accomplish actions. Because of my work schedule, I was only able to attend his Monday class, but there was no denying the unifying and energizing elements of Ronnie’s class, and I plan to purchase the CDs from his other two sessions.
I attended your class, “Humanity 2.0: Living Up to Our Identity in Christ” right before I attended Ronnie’s class. It was like a one, two punch. You laid the groundwork for everything that Ronnie said to work. You spoke of the joy that our Father receives as He reconciles everything and everyone together in Jesus.
You taught us how the church functions as a sign to the world that God’s design for community … for oneness … works! … that the Gospel is true when Jews and Gentiles … men and women … masters and slaves … moderns and postmoderns … worship together as one.
You focused on helping us to think correctly … adjusting our attitudes and our minds to a spirit of reconciliation by focusing on what we have in common … the One Who brings us together … as you taught us to say, “I’m a Christian who just happens to be a postmodernist … a Texan … an American (identities that don’t matter in the context of Christian relationships).” Only Christ matters.
Where I’m from, most people are not familiar with the word “postmodern”, much less “pomo”, and hardly anyone I know can define that culture in a very clear, concise way, but the people I know and love do know Jesus, and they need a very practical, do-able way to unify two diverging cultures in Him.
You and Ronnie did an excellent job of bridging that gap and building a unifying spirit at ACU in February just like Len suggested. Hundreds of people benefited. At Tulsa, thousands could benefit from those same lessons. Becoming Christ-centered people … maximizing our Father’s joy through reconciliation … and learning practical ways to pursue Christian unity right now through the one thing we have in common … an intimate relationship with Jesus. That message was well-received in Texas. It just might preach in Oklahoma too.
I really appreciate your interest and your efforts in unifying the body of Christ in a world that wants to tear it apart.
Sorry, I’m not going to add much more here other than to agree with some of Brian’s statements:
“perhaps the whole “emergent” thing should wait one more year or something, for the sake of the unity efforts in 2006…”
Makes perfect sense to me. I know there’s a huge temptation to do as much as possible as soon as possible, but trying to do too much at the same time might simply confuse and dilute.
“Then again, IMHO, what needs to be at the heart of the emergent movement is not more tips, tricks, and secrets of the trade that will increase your pomo ministry by 30% over the next 6 months. What we need is a simple call back to true, cross-centered discipleship in Jesus Christ. I know that?s what I need. No more show, no more flare, no more 3 steps and your church will reach the 18-30 age group.”
“make church leaders aware of how this generation processes information, but also help them understand that some cool cheezy acrostic like EPIC is not the answer to all their problems. That seems like more of a pre-packaged ministry tool than something authentic. I realize that the heart of it is authentic, but it looks just like the “5 purposes of the church” to me.”
“a lot of … post-modern ministry ideas are just more of the same from the previous generation, but this time it?s just packaged in candles and dim-lighting. Don?t teach our modern churches to manufacture something, because eventually, post-moderns will see right through it…”
Right on. Right on. Right on.
Good comments from everyone. Maybe there is a bit of a ‘hurry’ to do a few things…because Wade will have workshop leadership in 2006 and 2008… meaning a 3 year wait from here.
I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying this conversation. Wonderful to see.