futurechurchconference

Thursday, October 13, 2005

WEDNESDAY

Gathering. Steve Taylor will lead us in a gathering ritual.

posted by futurechurchconference at 9:16 AM

3 Comments:

  • Welcome to all participants. May the wind of God blow on us this week, in this process.

    Steve Taylor

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:19 AM  

  • Futurechurch Diary/Reflections Wednesday.


    Nerves, excitement, something like the bewilderment of a new boy at High School, were overwhelming me as I walked out the door of St Luke’ Presbyterian Church, Remuera, where the Futurechurch Conference was to start that afternoon, onto the drive way not looking where I was going.

    Engrossed in the timetable and introductory package I’d just received at enrolment, I had stepped out in front of a car driven by my sister. I could see the Headlines, ‘ Sister Ends Brother’s Future At Future Conference’. What was going on? Why was I such a bundle of nerves at this conference? Were my expectations getting to me? Did I feel the future of the church depended on this conference? Was I exaggerating the responsibilities of this conference? I was uncomfortable with my attitude.

    Spirited conversations followed a warm welcome. New friendships were begun and old ones renewed. Steve Taylor and Margaret Mayman – with Rosemary Neave facilitating, gave a provocative and inspiring introduction. I settled down. I was listening. It was something the church would need to do even better for its future.

    Animated by Steve and Margaret we discussed whether “to connect, disconnect, with whom and how, -mostly in the context of worship.” Are we missing the boat right here? What about reconnection and where is interfaith dialogue taking connections?

    These folk are talking as though the Holy Spirit is guiding the church into the future. But I see the Spirit for the 21st century breaking out elsewhere. It’s not waiting for the church to catch up or to make connections. It has other work to do.

    I could take it or leave it but these folk seem to have a vested interest in the churches continuance, well, many are reverends, priests, ministers, pastors, presbyters, spiritual directors or whatever you call them these days. How will they cope with democratic forms and non-real practices for inspiration?

    The word ‘tradition’ seemed to dominate the first day. No one wanted to be the one to end traditions. Was that a problem? Was anything left that we could be evangelical about? Is the progressive church behind, talking to itself and out of the picture where the spirit is breaking out? Does it have its own agendas that block, form barriers etc?

    Steve seems to see the spirit working in the secular world; no grand cosmic union or religious theory, but a great variety of practises that inspire. But Steve, we have to consciously let go the baggage of dualism and replace it with some things from the 21st century that better represent the values we place on humanity and the environment? Doesn’t that require philosophy / some theologising? If so, what theology is Futurechurch coming up with? What is the shape of 21st century theology?

    The dawn chorus has started. It is already tomorrow. What does today bring?

    By Anonymous Bruce Tasker, at 4:26 PM  

  • Steve let us in a ritual to begin in which among other things we wrote a postcard to someone who has been a support person in our journey, and we made small ships to float on the two paddling pools in the middle.

    They stayed there most of the conference - our little ships blown by the spirit. In one pool the static caused them to huddle together. In another the static caused them to head to the edges.

    Metaphors that stayed with us during the conference
    - do we huddle together in security or launch out to the edges in exploration.
    - or do we gather together for support and stimulation in order to head out to the edge
    or....

    By Blogger Rosemary, at 9:55 AM  

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