Sharpening the Edge July 07 – Some Reflections

Alan writes - It was good to be part of the recent Baptist gathering (see the previous reference to this, here). Great to listen to some innovative and entrepreneurial new ventures of ‘church’! Alan Roxburgh encouraged some of the reflectors to think about the theological themes they were hearing. Below are some of the themes I heard coming through:

• Changing primary biblical mandates. A few years ago I suspect a similar gathering would have emphasized the great commission passages (e.g. Matthew 28) or the mercy/ compassion passages (e.g. Luke 4 v16) that under girded the move into community ministries but none of these mandates seemed to be primarily informing the new initiatives described as this gathering. More in vogue were Acts 2, Luke 10:1-12, and the parable of the prodigal father coupled with biblical images of friendship.
• Changing sense of others. A few years ago I suspect a similar gathering would have described people as ‘the lost’, ‘pagans’ ‘non-Christians’ and the ‘un-churched’. Yet these labels were remarkably absent in this gathering. Replacing them was a desire to find ‘common ground’ with others, create ‘third places’ and affirm long term friendships that are friendships first and possible sites of sharing faith second or third.
• There was more talk of transformation through coming to know Christ (the road to Emmaus) than conversion (the road to Damascus). Such transformation seemed more of a process than an event and encompassed longer time frames.
• There was less emphasis on preaching but an awareness that people, young people in particular, generally lacked a biblical background and a theological grid from which to shape their lives.
• There was an emphasis on ‘doing life together’, ‘being friends’ building long term genuine relationships. This was highlighted by the talk of café’s, coffee machine meetings, meals, food together, parties etc
• There was a high expectation that many things tried will fail. That ventures have use by dates and that what they are doing now may well change soon. This brought humility to their successes.
• There was a strong push for leaders to listen and look for what the Spirit is doing in the local setting and then support and build on this. Coupled with this was a dislike of trying to ‘franchise’ ministries, ‘copy and paste’ or use programmes from elsewhere.
• There was a clear commitment to work with and acknowledge the need for older leaders, established churches and long-term structures. While the stories were of new ventures they were all committed to walking hand-in-hand with others.
• A Dual Alan and Paul reflection. The conference as whole offered avenues of hope for older established churches and new fresh plants. There were expressions of re-awakening and re-emerging Missional life and new mission endeavors. Both were encouraged and examples of both were shared by way of stories – memorable for many was youthful Anglican Priest, Rich Johnson’s telling to the St. Paul’s Symond Street story over recent years. Another example was the Opawa story, narrated in part by Steve Taylor. As we’ve noted above, both offered (in different ways) hope for long established mainstream congregations.

Comments

[Mike]

I love the contrasts of the two roads - Emmaus and Damascus. Brilliant.

[steve]

this is really helpful. great listening. thanks heaps Alan.

steve

[cheryl]

describing luke 4:16 as a mercy and compassion passage seems to limit it a little... i've always thought of it as a radical political, ecclesiological and social manifesto for change...