Everything Must Change events
Presbyterians in Bend Oregon have been exploring ways to be more connecting with the community. A set of emerging gatherings are being developed that range from worshiping communities, fellowship activities and events, spiritual formation groups, lunch time discussion groups and pastor cohorts.
At First Presbyterian Church, we will be studying the new book by Brian McLaren, Everything Must Change, starting in January. We also plan to rent a van or bus to take a community group representing many churches to the Every Thing Must Change event in Boise, Idaho, Feb 8 and 9th.At this event we hope to connect with others developing emerging gatherings in their own communities, find other presbymergents to connect with and share ideas with, learn new worship practices that are consistent with the emerging conversation, be inspired by Brian and other leadership and develop a stronger commitment by our local leadership to this emerging community in Bend.Brian’s book offers a very positive vision of the role for the church in the 21st Century. His view of the difference between the current western society and culture and the teachings of Jesus on how to live in the Kingdom of God is both dramatic and inspiring. What if all followers of Jesus saw themselves gathering into churches and that these churches would exist not to serve them, but to help make the world a better place for all humanity? Wouldn’t this be a cause worth living ones life differently to make possible? What a call to renewal and faith.
Are other Presbymergents planning to go to the Everything Must Change events in other parts of the country?
Comment by Topple on 14 December 2007:
Why must “Everything” Change?
Comment by ryan pappan on 15 December 2007:
Because it sells more books.
Comment by Bob Pearson on 16 December 2007:
Or is it time to start making wholesale changes, instead of tweeking or making incremental changes to a structural system that benefits less than 10% of the people on the planet at the expense of the other 90+%?
It is time to have a new framing story based on love and equality and the life and teaching of Jesus, rather than having a framing story that lets thousands of children die every day, people with wealth define the policies of major country governments, military/security concerns setting national and international budget and policy decisions, businesses impacting the planet’s ability to support life only to make a profit for a few, and cultural isolation being the right way to look at the world’s diversity.
So we can think small or set grand God level goals for the church and for Christians. This is a call to the church to be both more local in its efforts to help those who need hope and support and also more global to solve structural problems in our world. What is the role of the followers of Jesus if not this?
Comment by ryan pappan on 16 December 2007:
Bob, are you [or any of us] willing to give the internet? The techno goodies we hold dear? What about your standard of living? I agree that we are called to change. We cannot keep hording all the pie and leaving little to none for others.
We can toss around ideas and chatter on this site all we want but it will not do anything. It would far more beneficial to those desperately poor folks in under developed areas to receive yours and my attention and resources. Rather than us to chatter here for our sake. I am not sure when I heard a developing voice on this site.
We are called to act radically. There is no room for a lukewarm response. Perhaps a total deconstruction of the national structure is due. Perhaps it is a more effective means of transfer of resources. We may not know unless we stop the bickering on denominational polity and move towards a real commitment to the poor, the sick, and the naked.
If I am hungry, cold, naked, or in need I could care less what theology, persuasion, or race that help arrives in.
What does this “new framing story based on love and equality and the life and teachings of Jesus” look like? I will bet there is a power structure involved, because it involves humanity. This is our depraved curse and a real presence of our finitude.
Consumption is the root of our problems and the poison to the global ills. We consume far too much. Who is willing to cease consumption? I pray we act rather than talk about it. Actions for me have always spoken better than words.
The systemic injustice that exists cannot be stopped with words. We have to act. We have to act in sacrifice, courage, commitment, and faith. It begins in the hearts of everyone of us. Ever decision we make binds someone to something. To whom shall you serve?
Pingback by events where you can find presbymergents during the first half of 2008 : presbymergent on 16 January 2008:
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