I'm not someone you'd probably like. Unless you like people like that...then you'd love me.
things i like. mostly ridiculous.
John is providing a roundup on the NEXT Church debrief, and he says two things I want to chime in on.
And, I think it is actually significant that there were so many big steeple pastors involved in this particular conversation. Big steeple pastors—especially those involved in denominational leadership—are the least likely to be asking the kinds of questions that were asked at this conference because big steeple churches are closest to the center of the Christendom establishment we are emerging from. Seminarians have been having these conversations for a long time. Emergents—and Presbymergents—have been having these conversations for a long time. Faith communities on the margins have been having these conversations for a long time. Now this iteration of the conversation has brought in some big steeple pastors of churches that would survive just fine if the rest of the PC(USA) were to fade away—or go away—tomorrow.
That is no small thing. The next church that is emerging will take all of these people and many more. The conversation has expanded and will continue to expand.
This is an astute piece of analysis, and I agree with John that this reality should be celebrated. For all the faults and foibles inherent in social location, these folks are wading into the water. Thank you, NEXT Church organizers.
I'm not someone you'd probably like. Unless you like people like that...then you'd love me.
I'm not someone you'd probably like. Unless you like people like that...then you'd love me.
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