The Call to the Church
The Call to the Church
On a strictly organizational level any community that does not open itself to renewal will die. For those in the church the concerns run deeper.
As the church we have been given the gospel of Jesus Christ and the call to bear witness to its life-transforming power and practice. We have much to contribute to conversations about the sacred, the Spirit and a world defined by the peace and wholeness captured in the biblical word shalom.
We also have much to gain through reaching out and entering into conversation with those between the ages of 30 and 45 and their children. Our scriptures overflow with stories of how God comes in surprising ways, often through strangers and guests. As Christians we seek to discover more of God and God's gifts to us through the welcoming of others, particularly those who may not be "like us."
Comments
theological dimensions
I wonder how the theological dimensions of this particular page will develop?
Evolution of "theological dimensions".
The theological dimensions of this page? How will they develop? Interesting question!
An observation: I am new on this medium and I understand that this forum itself is "new". Going from that premise I'll venture to say that we have all the space we need in front of us. Makes me think of the cowboy ditty "Oh give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above, Don't fence me in"...
I am encouraged by the fact that the United Church has authorized this page for all to work/play on. I am further hopeful that the target group (30 - 45) will be enticed to participate, but am apprehensive that the traditionalists will take over and smother any new growth that may emerge. But then again, having been around for the time that I have been, and having observed the things I have seen in many areas, I am optimistic and hopeful that the right choices will be made and a wholesome crop will arise.
Is there a recipe for success? I will put it to the reader that much of it depends on us, traditionalists. If we take over and cover the Old Time Religion with a new layer of ashphalt, nothing is going anywhere. If, OTOH, we are ready and willing to throw our blinkers off for a fresh look at reality, watch out. We will yet see and participate in some miraculous events!
So what is there that is so miracle enhancing? A new paradigm, a new way of seeing things in their actual habitat. Can I be more specific? Not at this time. This was just the opening shot to light up the sky over the pending entanglement between conflicting views.
Shalom,
Peter
It is time to embrace ...
the essential embodied nature of all life - personal, planetary and cosmic alike.
Lots of land
Yes sir-ee, we gotta whole lotta land. Has anyone seen a farm hand?
I'm a notorious "quick start" personality. I was banging down the Wondercafe door before it was launched, berating the Emerging staff (good job everyone!) for not personally inviting me to the first Emerging Training event {which I was at}, and threated to start silk screening my own Wondercafe tee shirts because they weren't available yet. In the last year I have only been to Wondercafe a few times, have not become a change leading agent in my congregation, or bothered to order a tee shirt even though the look nice. But enough about me...
I guess I'm threatening to fill this site if no one else does, at least for my short attention span. It's been two weeks, and I've only seen a few posts, mostly by paid accountable staff. It makes sense as they will be the ones making most use of the site, but doesn't anyone else give a hoot?
To quote pop culture, which I hope will happen often here, "Let's get this party started!"
Aaron, unlock the Wiki and let the people speak!
People, Speak! I know you know about the site, it's page 2 of the Observer and you all got an email about it!
Lots of land and how to fill it!
Hi, "quick start", how about introducing yourself rather than fret about things that will or won't get solved! Are you game? Then, "let's get this party started, eh"!
OK, so the posts are few and most seem to have been written by profesionals. Big deal! How about if a few lay people get at it and start talking about the things that are of utmost importance to them!? How about it, you nameless one <;-}?
Assuming assent (from your end, that is), my approach is simple: Where were you born, who brought you up under what circumstances, and finally, how does what you were taught differ from what you know today?
Again assuming your assent, I lead this off by informing you that I was born 78 years ago in the Indonesian archipelago where my dad was the administrator of a large district. This also meant that all, if not most of my acquaintances were not European as I was (Eurasian to be precise). This meant that this Trinitarian Christian most of the time was in the minority among the native Indonesians. To conclude the picture, you now know that I, a Christian, lived in an environment peopled by Hindoes, Muslims, Buddhists and what have you.
Finally, I studied world religions at the local (Lakehead) university and obtained my BA with double majors in philosophy and religious studies at an advanced age.
It stands to reason that the knowledge acquired during my long life finally deposited me on the beach of a continent that was totally alien in comparison to the place of departure at my birth/youth.
Your turn! If this appeals to you, get at it. If it doesn't, drop it!
Remember, this site has been constructed to give the likes of us the opportunity to roam and dig and study and compare. It first and foremost suggested that we help construct a virtual edifice that would entice the weary sojourner (target age 30- 45) to turn to the United Church of Canada for succour in times of malaise and stress.
Shalom,
Peter.
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It is time to embrace ...
the essential embodied nature of all life - personal, planetary and cosmic alike.
Traditionalists
I use Peter's term, I don't mean to draw battle lines, although the rest of this post may contradict any disclaimer of not wanting an us verses them discussion.
I won. We won. The contemporary style won. At 10:15 am Sunday (regular time!), with a paid accountable preacher, a paid accountable music mister and a real sanctuary.
I won. They won. The traditional style won. At 10:15 am Sunday (regular time!), with a paid accountable preacher, a paid accountable music mister and a real sanctuary.
I won. My kids won. The Sunday school is lively. At 10:15 am Sunday (regular time!), with a paid accountable minister, and a space to call their own, including a youth room.
And thus the three simultaneous Worship paths of St. Mary's Road United (original name I know...) were born. Google us.
We will prevail. If nothing else we can use surplus buildings once they die. The traditionalists can't stop us. We are called to community, we were raised United, and are proud United.
As my 3 day old son lay in the intensive care unit I left the hospital to speak to the 363 committee. Crush our staff if you must I told them, they're your employees. But it is our vision and it will continue. (Sorry to invoke the #6# word on a site frequented by clergy, I just needed that expletive to demonstrate the gravity of the conviction. And don't fret, they came out as ok as is possible.)
So Peter, don't worry too much about the traditionalists verses the contemporaries. We can get along, although my tone may not convey that. Hold the vision of what you want the church to be, support the people who will bring that to being, and honor who the church is.
And a note of caution to anyone who sees my conviction, and our success, as a battle cry against the traditionalists. My community includes a traditional service, as it needs to. Aunt Gertrude staying at home because the guitars are too loud is just as much a failing of the church as grand-niece Amber not coming because she doesn't like all the thee's and thou's.
So much for AMG's call for theology, I'm lay and technically analytical, maybe not so much socially adept or well read.
Traditionalists vs ... ?
Thank you for your encouraging response.
To make my position as clear as I can: I see everything in terms of ecological interaction. Where-ever you go, sit down in any garden, large or small, and contemplate the relationships that are on display in that garden, lush or dry.
I may have difficlties putting my thoughts in neatly packaged concepts, but I can try to get the reader to think of the interactions that continually go on in that patch of growth. Although not everything visibly is supportive of everything else in that garden, it is a fact that the components, roots, soil, moisture, nutrients and what have you are working together for the benefit of the overall health of that patch of greenery.
So, although I have grown up thinking in terms of competition, I am slowly but surely coming around to a model of co-operation rather than that of competition. To accept and adopt change is often hard!
Peace be with you!
Peter.
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It is time to embrace ...
the essential embodied nature of all life - personal, planetary and cosmic alike.
Lots of land & traditionalists
If I have to get inflammatory to convince people to post I am up to the challenge!
(and hey, if they pull the plug on my account, I was bound to loose interest in the next couple days anyway...)
Who's who
Peter,
To find out more about me, or any other poster, click on their name at the top of the post and it will take you to their Biography page. I'll add some more to mine for you. Similarly you should copy the background about yourself to your Bio page, and thus save the need to introduce yourself to the myriad of new people you will find here {I hope}.
You asked me (and collectively us lay folk) to start posting on what we see is important. Worship style is big for me, so I've posted here about it (because you posted something, so I figured someone would read it...) and under the leadership best practices.
As time allows I will start randomly posting all over the place until others get on board, or I get shut down :)
Arthur (Bassic)
Who is who?
Hello Arthur,
Read your note, and thank you.
I continue to pick your brains as I need more education.
I obviously get this message to you by following the steps. Unlike the prog. "wondercafe" this one does not give the email address. So, how do I obtain that so I can add your email address to my addressbook?
Just in cas you are interested, my email address is
"pvanderk@tbaytel.net"
Other question:
Is there a way of adding a signature of any kind to these messages?
Thank you for your asistance and talk to you later.
Peter
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It is time to embrace ...
the essential embodied nature of all life - personal, planetary and cosmic alike.
Youth Ministry
What have you learned to be the best means into the heart of Calgary's youth? How are you opening the doors for them to listen to the hard questions that need to be asked and discussed? How are you exploring their worlds?
Traci Hubbard
Youth Ministry
Traci,
I'm in Winnipeg, so I can't answer your question on Calgary directly. I also don't want it to get lost here in cyberspace.
I would suggest you ask locally, starting with your home congregation. I know in Winnipeg we have Presbytery and Conference level youth activity coordination, one of those people in your area may be able to help.
I don't mean to be a downer, but the truth is most people seem to leave the church for a time in their teens, not returning until their late 20's to mid thirties. I don't know if the church ignores this group because they aren't there, or if they aren't there because the church ignores them. Case in point, the Emerging Spirit program is targeted at 30-25 year olds. It is ignoring the large "echo" generation, and instead focusing on the baby bust (me and my friends) which is actually a much smaller group in Canada. I screamed about it when the program started, but the idea was already set. I am glad the church is talking change and I hope some of it gives relevance to the under 30's as well.
I never left the church through my youth (see my Bio by clicking my name at the top), but I tell you it was a long lonely decade. That said the church was a great support to me, and the other young people I met who stayed involved were amazing people and dearly loved friends.
Hope this helps.
Bassic