Emerging 2 Where?

A Conversation on Future Directions of the Mainline Church, with Diana Butler Bass

July 11-12, 2008

Vancouver, British Columbia

**Registration for this event is now closed**

Diana Butler Bass, author of the book Christianity for the Rest of Us, will lead a two-day conference looking at some of the foundation-shaking change happening in mainline Christianity across North America, and reflect on where this emerging kind of Christianity might take us.

" Introduction

" Event Schedule

" Keynote Speaker: Diana Butler Bass

" Workshops

" Cost and Registration

INTRODUCTION
Mainline churches find themselves shaken by profound change. Will the so-called traditional church survive? If so, in what form? And what will be the leadership challenges in the short and long term? What are the leadership and ministry challenges in post-Christendom Canada to reaching out and connecting with those who consider themselves "spiritual, but not religious"?

Emerging 2 Where? begins on Friday evening, July 11 at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, with a public keynote address by Diana Butler Bass. On Saturday, July 12, at Vancouver School of Theology, after an opening reflection by Butler Bass, participants will explore the future directions of the changing church through a series of workshops offered by some of the leaders on the front-edge of change. Diana Butler Bass will close the day with reflection on the learnings of the event.

WHY EMERGING 2 WHERE?
Change is taking place at a rapid pace in all aspects of life, and the mainline church is no exception. Although churches in the mainline tradition are often described as dying, many of those who attend and lead mainline congregations testify to dynamic areas of new life in their churches and ministries.

What are these sources of new life in the mainline church and what do they look like? Are these changes a departure from mainline traditions or are they simply a reclaiming of practices and traditions which have been neglected for several generations? Is there a recipe a congregation seeking change might follow or does direction come in the form of identification of key landmarks or guidelines?

Research identifies some hopeful indicators for congregations but what of the future of mainline denominations? Is there a place for a mainline denomination in a postmodern, post-Christian context? Or do the changes indicate a move to something closer to the evangelical megachurches, many of which have been very successful connecting with people who don't have a church background, or to the emergent movement or to a new monasticism or something entirely completely new and different?

Emerging Spirit research identifies significant interest in an expression of Christianity that is radically inclusive, committed to social justice, spiritually authentic, and open to questioning and debate. What would a church that holds these values look like and how would it practice its faith? How might the hope of such a church call us to transform our selves, our congregations, and God's world today?

The Emerging 2 Where? conference grew out of this swirl of observations and questions.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The audience for this conference is anyone who is interested in the future of the mainline church. Emerging Spirit will be actively reaching out and welcoming people from a diversity of backgrounds and denominations to attend Emerging 2 Where. Participants will build upon new insights about ministry and leadership in post-Christendom Canada and share ways of reaching out and connecting with those who consider themselves "spiritual, but not religious."

" Event Schedule

" Workshops

" Cost and Registration

Sponsored by the Emerging Spirit campaign of The United Church of Canada, Vancouver School of Theology, and St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church.

For more information, email emergingspirit@united-church.ca.