Resonate

Michael Krahn has been blogging and posting extensive notes of the sessions he has attended, as well as referencing other bloggers who attended the Congress.

One of the more interesting discussions is on the whole question of a “social” gospel as opposed to regeneration as the heart of the issue. Mike quotes from Jonathan Dodson that “social action doesn’t create [the] new community:”

Although social action mission creates community, it doesn’t create new community. Regenerated, new creation is the unique work of God the Spirit (Tit. 2.11; Gal. 6:15) through faith in the Son (Tit. 3:6-7; 2 Cor. 5:17). If we convert people to community and social mission alone, and not to Christ, we offer a very incomplete gospel. Regeneration is both social (Matt. 19:28) and spiritual (Tit. 3:5). The Spirit, not social mission, makes men new.

This is both helpful, and incomplete…

It is helpful because it is important to know what we mean by regeneration, referencing the work of the Spirit in the heart of a believer. It is incomplete, because it tends to push us away from the frame of missio Dei – which is the movement toward shalom, a wholeness of God in action in the world, where there is no “spiritual” gospel as opposed to a “social” one. It is abundantly evident in the Old Testament that justice and economic issues are near the heart of the gospel. It is equally clear in Jesus defining statement of his ministry in Luke 4.

However, Jonathan is right that social mission alone does not produce shalom. It may create the conditions that make shalom possible, and it certainly makes shalom visible. But to say that it does not PRODUCE shalom does not mean that it has no value in this world. These last points are really important. The Gospel becomes visible in the new community, through signs of the kingdom, foretastes of the shalom that God will one day bring in fulness. The new community performs and proclaims the word in its shared life in the neighbourhood.

And this life and work for justice has real value — God genuinely loves and cares for this fallen world, and will love and care for the world in spite of its response. If nothing else, Matthew 25 should instruct us that God’s care for the poor has no conditions attached. God in Godself overflows with self-sacrificing love, pours himself out for this world knowing it might reject him. Ultimately we embody the love of God in our communities not because we know that love will transform the world, but because this is the nature of God. Ultimately mission appears as the self-unfolding of contemplation.

It struck me that there is nothing comparable to this Calgary gathering occurring in the United States. Seven hundred people from across the denominational spectrum and from rural, urban, and suburban settings across Canada coming together for a single missional agenda – to impact our country for Christ by seeding missional communities. And it is equally amazing that nearly half of this group have come to a Congress for the first time. Something is stirring in Canadian hearts — a work of the Spirit.

The Thursday morning session again featured Stuart Murray and Juliet Kilpin — really a great combination of reflecting, wondering, and putting forth theology and frameworks: a great blend of academics and on-the-ground but in-process experience. It leads me to hope that Urban Expressions might publish a book about what they are learning. read more »

This is the first in a series of reports written while attending Renov8. Hopefully others will post their thoughts, reflections, questions and frustrations also.

After a day in meetings with the Forge Canada National Team, and with the first plenary session on its way, we arrived at a restaurant not far from Center Street. We were to meet another group which included Stuart Murray and Juliet Kilpin of Urban Expressions UK.

As it turned out, the restaurant had lost our reservation, and we didn’t have a lot of time to spare. Hmm.. isn’t that a pub next door? We checked it out.. no line up and not crowded. Why not?

It’s surprising how consistently good the food is in pubs, and the portions seem generally larger. I ordered one of the best chicken club sandwiches I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get BC Cider in Alberta, and I don’t like beer 

I sat at a table with Mike Frost, Glenn Smith and Anthony Brown. Mike was first up last night for the plenary last night and did a great job sharing his heart for the kingdom and God’s redeeming work in the world. At the pub I heard about his fondness for the beer produced by the micro-brewery in his home town of Sydney in New South Wales. read more »

I’m excited about this workshop taking place right here in Vancouver:

Grandview Calvary Baptist church, home to a number of new monastic communities, and Carey Institute are partnering to present a workshop on New Monasticism on May 2nd, 9:30am – 3:00pm.

Speakers include:

Jonathan Wilson (Carey Theological College)
Craig Greenfield (Servants Vancouver)
Tama Ward Balisky (Kinbrace Community)
Dave Diewert (Streams of Justice)
Tim Dickau (Grandview Calvary Baptist)
Aaron White (24/7 Prayer & 614)
Amy Wilson-Roberts (Nieu Communities)

Worship will be led by local musician Tom Wuest.

Email newmonasticism@gcbchurch.ca for more information.

Download an insert here, and an article here.

In response to my earlier post a friend has let me know that Pete Rollins will be in Edmonton for a few days next month. (I wonder if Pete has been there before. Seeing as he agreed to Edmonton in February, I’m guessing not!)

Here are some details:

Church Beyond Belief
Edmonton unconference with Peter Rollins
February 5-9, 2009
Event blog
Main events location: Taylor College Campus, & Deweys’ Cafe on the U of A Campus

Sounds like it’ll be good. Pete, pack a couple of extra sweaters…