I got the opportunity to both teach and learn last week at a church planters bootcamp with the Ecclesia network.
Some random thoughts...
I loved the rhythm of prayer- joining others at 7am, 12 pm and 5pm to pray, read Scripture, be quiet- even if only for fifteen minutes was very grounding for me. Though I felt a bit disconnected from the prayers (both in that the people and regions, elected officials and such they were praying for were largely unfamiliar to me, and in that I think after many years of doing this, the prayer lacks a certain... zest? fervency?... the practice and rhythm was still wonderful to be a part of. I felt "brought back" each time we engaged in it and connected to those around me.
It made me think of ways I can be praying for our city and ways I can hopefully pull others someday into the same rhythms. Good stuff.
I got to teach on "Why You Should Plant a Church" something I feel confident in, and "Creating a Culture of Discipleship" something I'm very much a learner in. Both went reasonably well- I basically took my Why You Should Plant a Church article and expanded it into a talk- which I know was probably odd for those there who had already read it (in fact, a couple told me reading it had been a significant step/piece in their journey towards church planting- always encouraging to hear how God has used your words...).
The discipleship talk was mostly me sharing what I've been learning over the last couple of years- that discipleship is mainly about one thing- helping people hear God's voice and respond appropriately. All the rest (doctrine, disciplines, service) will find a spot to enter the conversation as God brings those things up- but the main question is: Where are you hearing God's voice? Where are you sensing God's kingdom pushing in on you... or pulling you towards something? And how can I help you with that?
I missed my family terribly, but time away, time thinking/evaluating/dreaming, time praying, and time resting is always valuable.
I hope they invite me back :)
For those interested: The Ecclesia Network is a gospel-centered, theologically centrist network committed to planting missional communities. I feel very much this is Evergreen's "tribe" in that they talk a lot about Jesus and the Gospel, tend to look and feel more emerging church-ish, and they welcome communities with women in leadership.
In other words, if you want to align yourself with a network that sits squarely in the center of the "missional" stream of the emerging church conversation, check out the Ecclesia Network.
Bob, I really benefited from your talks and our conversations at the boot camp. It was great to meet you!
Posted by: Account Deleted | May 29, 2009 at 11:35 AM