I attended the Christianity21 conference last week in Denver. I met my brother Travis there. The restaurants were awesome, and we got tickets to the Nuggets game on Saturday night. We had lots of time to talk about the future of the church and what theology is becoming. Yep, we're theology nerds.
We heard 35 different people talk in 48 hours. Plus, we spent time in conversation with other faith journey pilgrims. Some like us, some not. As you can imagine, it was overwhelming. The music by Heatherlyn was poignant, and beautiful. Every speaker had something good to say. It's not possible here to say something about each of them, but I thought I would share a few reflections from the week.
I arrived an hour or two early, so I had some time to stroll through the fellowship hall. Here were several tables of books and a few booths of publishers, and seminaries. Reading some of the titles I got a quick idea that I had entered a realm of questions and transition... leaving something that hadn't been working and moving toward something not quite sure of. Book titles like The Great Emergence, Banned Questions About the Bible, Gracenomics, Reluctant Pilgrim, A Faith of Our Own, The Church is Flat, Jesus is Better Than We Imagined, A Christianity Worth Believing, and Beyond the Broken Church; I quickly realized I was among broken people and I felt at home.
This was WYSIWYG if I've ever seen it; people who seemed tired of posturing and longed to talk with others who were authentic and willing to say "I don't know." This was apparent right away when Jonathan Merritt told us, "May we know what we've always suspected, that the God who created us is better than the God we've created." Later that first night we heard from Kent Dobson. He looked worn and ravaged to me. I could only guess he had been through some tough times lately. Kent is the teaching pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church. This is the church Rob Bell recently left; nuff said. He told us about growing up in the lap of Jerry Falwell (his keynote presentation showed a picture of this very thing), his experience in the conservative evangelical church, and going to Liberty University. He talked about his journey out of that. He did not give us a map of certainty. Honestly, he wasn't certain about a lot. All he had for us were hints and guesses, but he said something very important for me. He said, "I'm not going back!"
There have been times in my life where I have felt that what I was sensing, what I thought God was forming in me, and what I was reading in the Bible... was not being affirmed. A theological concept that had never made sense to me as it was explained, was now, in a new context, making sense. And, in sharing my excitement... crickets. This was crazy making really, and depressing. Last week it was affirming to be among likeminded people; to know I wasn't crazy, and to proclaim that I too was not going back!
I've heard some say that the Emergent Church movement is dead, heretical, or just warmed over liberalism. I have never thought of it as a group with a cohesive set of beliefs, and organizing intentions. To me it is people talking together, encouraging each other, creating safe space. It's people realizing the Church needs to change and is changing. And for it to make sense in a 21st century global context we need to change with it. To me this change is new. Many like myself have become disillusioned with the evangelical church we were brought up in, but don't want to loose some of the sensibilities we grew up with.
Phyllis Tickle spoke about the coming Age of the Spirit, and the influence the renewal movement is having on Christianity. She said that every major shift in the last 2000 years has been followed by a spiritual renewal. She has written in the past about the Great Emergence we are experiencing now. It was so good to see her in this, her last speaking appearance. At 82 she is starting another chapter of her life at home on her farm in Lucy Tennessee.
It was the emergent books, podcasts and conferences that really sparked my hope that there was something better for me when it comes to church. And, instead of leaving the Church all together, I found the Mennonites. The people at this conference are doing this, as well as others. Not a large percentage of the population; it's that 5-10%; the early adopters. The emergent conversation is affirming something growing inside of them and they are taking it back to their tribe, or they are finding a new, welcoming tribe that affirms this movement of Jesus in them. People that have more questions than answers.
Sarah Bessey spoke to us about Jesus. She has a book called Jesus Feminist. She said she had managed to piss off people on the right and left in just two words. What I picked up immediately and what permeated her talk was her love for Jesus. And, this is one of the things that is distinctive about emergent people. They love Jesus and want to take him seriously... especially his love. Sarah talked about that verse in 1 John where it says "perfect love drives out fear... even fear of the slippery slope.
Christianity21 did better than most Christian conferences at balancing the gender, and ethnic speakers. This was intentional and wonderful. Jose Morales reminded us that like him, Jesus was a "hyphen," living between two or more worlds, and his preference is for the "hyphenated." Enuma Okoro encouraged us to be more in touch with the global church by being willing to learn from others and more curious about how others do it. Romal Tune implored us to be 'sanctified shot callers' on the streets and to learn from gangs how to make contact with youth and foster belonging. And Joshua Dubois told us about his grandmother's influence on his life. How it was her example that helped him move from a professional Christian to becoming a disciple of Christ; empowered by the Holy Spirit for God's glory.
There are so many great thoughts and quotes. You can check out my twitter feed. I chronicle the conference best in this medium. I either tweeted a thought myself or retweeted someone else's tweet that expressed what I wanted to remember. It's note taking in the 21st century.
The last three talks have been haunting me the most. Tony Jones agreed with Kent Dobson from the first day. "We must reclaim the apocolapse." Well, actually Kent said we should give up on the afterlife for awhile (and focus more on this life). Tony was saying we need to reclaim a better reading of Revelation. To see it as a powerful drama to live into that can transform our lives instead of a code to decipher about the end of the world. For further reading I would recommend this book.
Doug Pagitt said many good things, but one thing stuck with me. He was quoting Jesus where he says, "You will do greater things than me..." then he said, but you can't do it alone. We will need to do it together. The Community is so important here. This American, individualism, personal Jesus stuff won't cut it. Again, affirming my being led to a tribe that lives by the communal hermeneutic.
And finally, Sarah Cunningham spoke about something dear to my heart. The middle. Our world is fragmented and polarized. She was calling for peacemakers that will be quick to listen, seeking to understand before being understood. Peacemakers seeking to hold hands with those on the right and the left and connect brothers and sisters; all of us children of God. I'm going to try to do this more. Instead of making my point, I'm going to seek to love, listen and bring more peace than dissension.
We heard 35 different people talk in 48 hours. Plus, we spent time in conversation with other faith journey pilgrims. Some like us, some not. As you can imagine, it was overwhelming. The music by Heatherlyn was poignant, and beautiful. Every speaker had something good to say. It's not possible here to say something about each of them, but I thought I would share a few reflections from the week.
This was WYSIWYG if I've ever seen it; people who seemed tired of posturing and longed to talk with others who were authentic and willing to say "I don't know." This was apparent right away when Jonathan Merritt told us, "May we know what we've always suspected, that the God who created us is better than the God we've created." Later that first night we heard from Kent Dobson. He looked worn and ravaged to me. I could only guess he had been through some tough times lately. Kent is the teaching pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church. This is the church Rob Bell recently left; nuff said. He told us about growing up in the lap of Jerry Falwell (his keynote presentation showed a picture of this very thing), his experience in the conservative evangelical church, and going to Liberty University. He talked about his journey out of that. He did not give us a map of certainty. Honestly, he wasn't certain about a lot. All he had for us were hints and guesses, but he said something very important for me. He said, "I'm not going back!"
There have been times in my life where I have felt that what I was sensing, what I thought God was forming in me, and what I was reading in the Bible... was not being affirmed. A theological concept that had never made sense to me as it was explained, was now, in a new context, making sense. And, in sharing my excitement... crickets. This was crazy making really, and depressing. Last week it was affirming to be among likeminded people; to know I wasn't crazy, and to proclaim that I too was not going back!
I've heard some say that the Emergent Church movement is dead, heretical, or just warmed over liberalism. I have never thought of it as a group with a cohesive set of beliefs, and organizing intentions. To me it is people talking together, encouraging each other, creating safe space. It's people realizing the Church needs to change and is changing. And for it to make sense in a 21st century global context we need to change with it. To me this change is new. Many like myself have become disillusioned with the evangelical church we were brought up in, but don't want to loose some of the sensibilities we grew up with.
Update: Charles Lee is the CEO for a brand innovation company. What was interesting to me is how he sees innovation happening. He said the best way to be innovative is to get out of your normal connections; be with people that are different than what you are used to. This seems to help us see beyond the constructs we live in. If fresh expressions of faith require innovation; breaking free from the dominant constructs, it's not a bad idea to hang out with people that have a different perspective.
Phyllis Tickle spoke about the coming Age of the Spirit, and the influence the renewal movement is having on Christianity. She said that every major shift in the last 2000 years has been followed by a spiritual renewal. She has written in the past about the Great Emergence we are experiencing now. It was so good to see her in this, her last speaking appearance. At 82 she is starting another chapter of her life at home on her farm in Lucy Tennessee.It was the emergent books, podcasts and conferences that really sparked my hope that there was something better for me when it comes to church. And, instead of leaving the Church all together, I found the Mennonites. The people at this conference are doing this, as well as others. Not a large percentage of the population; it's that 5-10%; the early adopters. The emergent conversation is affirming something growing inside of them and they are taking it back to their tribe, or they are finding a new, welcoming tribe that affirms this movement of Jesus in them. People that have more questions than answers.
Sarah Bessey spoke to us about Jesus. She has a book called Jesus Feminist. She said she had managed to piss off people on the right and left in just two words. What I picked up immediately and what permeated her talk was her love for Jesus. And, this is one of the things that is distinctive about emergent people. They love Jesus and want to take him seriously... especially his love. Sarah talked about that verse in 1 John where it says "perfect love drives out fear... even fear of the slippery slope.
Christianity21 did better than most Christian conferences at balancing the gender, and ethnic speakers. This was intentional and wonderful. Jose Morales reminded us that like him, Jesus was a "hyphen," living between two or more worlds, and his preference is for the "hyphenated." Enuma Okoro encouraged us to be more in touch with the global church by being willing to learn from others and more curious about how others do it. Romal Tune implored us to be 'sanctified shot callers' on the streets and to learn from gangs how to make contact with youth and foster belonging. And Joshua Dubois told us about his grandmother's influence on his life. How it was her example that helped him move from a professional Christian to becoming a disciple of Christ; empowered by the Holy Spirit for God's glory.
There are so many great thoughts and quotes. You can check out my twitter feed. I chronicle the conference best in this medium. I either tweeted a thought myself or retweeted someone else's tweet that expressed what I wanted to remember. It's note taking in the 21st century.
The last three talks have been haunting me the most. Tony Jones agreed with Kent Dobson from the first day. "We must reclaim the apocolapse." Well, actually Kent said we should give up on the afterlife for awhile (and focus more on this life). Tony was saying we need to reclaim a better reading of Revelation. To see it as a powerful drama to live into that can transform our lives instead of a code to decipher about the end of the world. For further reading I would recommend this book.
Doug Pagitt said many good things, but one thing stuck with me. He was quoting Jesus where he says, "You will do greater things than me..." then he said, but you can't do it alone. We will need to do it together. The Community is so important here. This American, individualism, personal Jesus stuff won't cut it. Again, affirming my being led to a tribe that lives by the communal hermeneutic.
And finally, Sarah Cunningham spoke about something dear to my heart. The middle. Our world is fragmented and polarized. She was calling for peacemakers that will be quick to listen, seeking to understand before being understood. Peacemakers seeking to hold hands with those on the right and the left and connect brothers and sisters; all of us children of God. I'm going to try to do this more. Instead of making my point, I'm going to seek to love, listen and bring more peace than dissension.
