Emerging Spirit @ The United Church of Canada Emerging Spirit @ The United Church of Canada

May 2 , 2006

Welcome

"The church needs to recognize how our culture is changing and then learn how to connect with that culture. If we're resistant to change, we're going to die."

—"Change or Die," by Heather Rivers, Woodstock Sentinel-Review, April 10, 2006.*

MAKING IMPACT

by Lesley Harrison

Where's Your Church Face? Or Can We Learn to Dance the Alligator?

"Can the church do the alligator?" Has the church paid any attention to the culture in which we're immersed and to the face that we present to that culture? Are we even aware that we have a "church face," a culture that is unique to our church? At times it is obvious we are aware, at other times we are confused or even oblivious to the face we have and are presenting.

[read the full article]

ON THE LINE

Sites of Interest along the Information Highway

Is it time to abandon the seeker-sensitive model?
This is a fascinating discussion about "seeker-sensitive" models of ministry and whether or not they go far enough in welcoming newcomers to church. It's found on the "Out of Ur" blog, which is hosted by the editors of Leadership Journal.

Another way to talk about Jesus?
Pastor and author Brian McLaren wonders in Sojourners whether "kingdom language" is still the best way to understand Jesus' message, or if new metaphors might better communicate the good news.

Pastor, will you help us?
A pastor's story on the Emergent-US site offers some very interesting insights into some of the "missional" opportunities to be found in the act of performing church weddings for "churchless" couples.

Welcoming Ministries Tool Box

From The United Church of Canada

"Welcome to the United Church" Brochures
The Identity Resources Task Group, an inter-unit General Council Office team developing resources for newcomers to the United Church, has created a set of 15 brochures on a wide range of topics that offer an introduction to the church. These colourful brochures are written in a direct, accessible style, especially for those who have little or no church background.

Long-time members will find the brochures useful for orientating newcomers to the United Church as well as for refreshing their own understanding of the foundations and beliefs of the church. Sets of brochures are available offering a United Church perspective on topics such as belonging, children, marriage, the Bible, meaning, history, baptism, and more.

Available by the end of May. For more information contact UCRD.

Pulsetaking

Below are samples of some of the e-mails Emerging Spirit has received. Go to the Pulsetaking section of our website to see more of what readers are saying.

from Dave Henderson, Pembroke, Ont.

Many thanks to Graeme Burk for his thoughtful and frank examination of the Passion and the many shades applied to it within our faith. I too struggled when first confronted with the contention that the Passion was tantamount to parental abuse.

However, after a lot of thought and reflection I have concluded two things.

[Read the full letter]

from Rev. David Shearman, Central Westside United Church, Owen Sound, Ont.

I had to laugh when I read your reflection in the March 2006 Emerging Spirit newsletter titled "Will we say it right?"

I laughed, not because what you said was particularly funny. I laughed because you named something that many United Church people (both lay and order of ministry) are already trained to do and probably do unconsciously.

[Read the full letter]

from Rev. John Burton, Coastal Circuit Minister, Central Mainland Marine Mission, Prince Rupert, B.C.

I think Keith Howard's piece, "Will we say it right?" makes a crucial point if the church is to make any connection with the target group, or anyone. I am currently serving primarily First Nations communities and feel in spades that sense of how difficult it is to be heard because of the barrier created by both our past as church and the perception that we are solely interested in speaking our agenda. In consequence I have thought many times of Woody Allen's wisdom that "90 percent of life is just showing up."

[Read the full letter]