4 Comments:

Thanks for the opportunity to meet some amazing people at the conference, and for the chance to meet you at last.
I just wanted to echo some of your own thoughts. One of my reservations about the conference was the thorny old 'clergy/laity' divide. I was amazed to find it alive and well in the heart of the church planting community, where it seems least appropriate (if indeed it's deemed to be appropriate anywhere). I too heard the underlying text that emerging church (by whatever label) needs to somehow be 'policed' by the current structures. Whilst understanding the legitimate concerns of the status quo, I can't help feeling that something more relational than hierarchical would be more appropriate.
Likewise, I felt the exhortations to 'not get too enthusiastic' were a sad reflection of past mistakes which seem to disregard the power of God to lead His own people effectively into the future in which we are invited to partner with Him.
It was an interesting conference, enlightening at the very least, and I am encouraged by the efforts of those committed to a simple expression of God's kingdom, but just a little disappointed at the voice of the inherited church we heard so clearly.
I thank God for our wonderful African brothers who spoke so passionately of the God of Mission, rather than the tools and strategies of mission.

By  Vic Whittaker, at 4:54 PM  

Thanks Vic for this, and good to meet you too at last! Look forward to hearing/seeing how the 3 plants you are helping move forward.

By  alexander, at 5:02 PM  

http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/03/the_innovative.php

In the Pastoral Epistles, where one would expect to find advice for helping the church grow, Paul's emphasis is almost exclusively on encouraging church leaders to lead a godly life and assist their congregations in doing the same. If they would do this, live a life worthy of their calling in Christ, Paul knew that their example would provide powerful confirmation of the Gospel realities that they preached. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 the apostle Paul says to church leaders:

"Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom."

Rather than giving advice on how to grow the church, Paul seems to discount the impact of human ingenuity and technique, attributing the growth of the church in Corinth to the presence of the Spirit powerfully at work among them. Paul specifically says he chose not to employ brilliant ideas in bringing them the Gospel, but rather he determined to deliver the message in a straightforward simplicity, relying on the power of God to make the message effective and produce growth.

By  Tim, at 12:00 AM  

Tim hi, nice to hear from you. Not 100% sure what point you are making, so if I am misunderstanding you please forgive me! Mission 21, for all its other weaknesses, was not about equipping leaders to do more, better in their own strength; it was simply a time to reflect and re-envision based on what God is currently doing.
As I read that passage in 1 Cor I totally agree with you that his dependence was clearly on the power of the HS not clever words or techniques, however I would not agree that this was addressed to the 'church leaders', the letter was clearly written to the whole church; why? Because that is where the authority in the church lay: the corporate body under the headship of Jesus. This is an interpretation based on a christendom assumption!

By  alexander, at 8:04 AM  

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