DanceLessons

Peace and Joy

Network of Laity

Let us form a network of laity outside the current  institutions - to capture our imagination and vision before, during and after we serve on boards of trustees.  It was done once before as the Laymen League. It could be called the Communion of Laity -  the name doesn't really matter.

Nancy

Spiritual Colleagues

Members of our congregations are fond of sharing their Exodus stories. But perhaps it is time to put that story away and start telling stories about life in ‘The Promised Land’    Laity embrace spiritual journeys as a useful metaphor but we need more than a scenic drive.  We need to develop ways to deepen spiritual knowledge and discipline. Professional ministers often refer to ‘their colleagues’; let us find a new process for the laity so they can have spiritual colleagues.  Possible programs include very small groups who meet regularly and hold each accountable during struggles and success, working with spiritual directors, and defining rituals for adult passages. World events and retirement may bring boomers back to organized religion.   They may see Unitarian Universalism a place of opportunities not obstacles.

family of hybrids whose theological connections are quite baffling

It late and I have printed out all the pages of my paper.  I'm too old - I have a horrible time with typing in '.' and ',' for references.  I will respond to comments upon my return. I'm going to spend the next two days being wowed by my granddaughter eating prunes. Doesn't take much to make me happy.

I have found some great quotes on the future of evangelicism. It least it balance out Michael Durall's 'Almost Church' and Davidson Loehr. There are prophets of doom on both ends of the spectrum.

Dr. David Wells, the Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, believes “evangelicalism now … spills out in all directions, producing a family of hybrids whose theological connections are quite baffling: evangelical Catholics, evangelicals who are Catholic, evangelical liberationists, evangelical feminists, evangelical ecumenists, ecumenists who are evangelical, young evangelicals, orthodox evangelicals, radical evangelicals, liberal evangelicals,. It is seen by some as the “the dark prelude to death, when parasites have finally succeeded in bringing down their host. Amid the clamor of all these new models of evangelical faith there is the sound of a death rattle." (Wells. 1993).

evangelical definition of pluralism has a slightly different slant: family of hybrids with baffling theologies

Imaging God

If you always imagine God in the same way, no matter how true and beautiful it may be, you will not be able to receive the gift of the new ways God has ready for you. - Carlos Valles quoted in "This Our Exile" by James Martin

About three months ago, I started a group called Imagining God.  The invitation went like this:

God talk among Unitarian Universalists make some people uncomfortable.  The images of God that once served us well, no longer serve us now.   When asked the question, “do you believe in God”, we know what God we don’t believe in.  We seem stuck with one set of images of God. 

What other images are there for God? Can we imagine them? Can we re-image God?

If you are interested in exploring and experiencing these ideas, plan to meet in the Library on Monday,at

We share our images and experiences through meditation, celebration, discussion, music and the arts. Every month people bring in something sacred - including music, photos, rocks, water.  There is about ten of us - half are recent members of the church.  This month the topic is "if it was God's birthday, what would be your gift.  We have process deists, 'out there somewhere ' deists,  agnostics, and  the undefined.  We only have a few rules:

§ we are not looking for the right answers, consensus or agreement

§ that it is not necessary to explain, justify or defend what you say,

§ to listen to each other

§ to allow a pause between responses for thought and reflection,

§ that it is alright to change your mind

nancy

Dancing Stars

Out of my chaotic life - with its ups and downs, paradoxes, dysfunctions, and in control, out of control moments, came this dancing star. Glimpses of legacy, unconditional love, and universal connection.

Blogging for Jesus

I was thinking about new ways of evangelism and thought what about blogging 'for Jesus' .  I found this from RealivePreacher who blogs at Salon

"If you try to become a blogger so that you can minister to the world and develop non-Christian friends, you will fail. Bloggers tend to be very intelligent and they will smell the stink of marketing on you. Become a blogger if you wish to be a part of blogging, if you want to write and to share who you are. I started Real Live Preacher because I wanted to write and share my voice and view of the world in a forum where everyone is doing that. If you become heavy-handed in your evangelism, people will ignore you. I've watched a few Christian blogs sputter and die in the Salon community in the last year or so, just because you could sense the arrogance and the purpose behind their writing."

rambling

I took a class on UU Theology because as a lay person I wanted to understand the language of theology and see for myself the foundation of my faith.  As I work in Church Growth, I wanted to be empowered, to know what I am doing is reflected in any of the theological systems contained within our faith.   I wanted more than a set of conjectures concerning religious matters, the kind that inspire convicitions.  Convictions grounded in a truth claim, however sslender, that creates strong reglious communities. “Convictions not grounded in truth claims are not convictions that “create strong religious communities”

I'm moving towards the last week and I'm not so much frustrated as saddened. I'm walking a lonely path. 

Perhaps because I can't find anyone to talk too - and because my allergies and sensitivities are bothering.  That and stress and or depression depending on how you look at it. I'm also feeling 57 years old and recognizing learning a new perspective is tough work.  I'm not a 20 something in the 21st century.   Thoughts on pages with no connection.

The language of the metaphor is powerful

Truth is important when it is loved and lived.

Symbols and icons.  A new language  something beyond itself.

People need to be authentic and real.

Quit the fundamental rhetoric.  And speak unapologically, truth is embodied in individualsa nd in the community. Becoming the truth.

Embracing a variety of sources from the past.

Metanarratives.  What is our story

The church calls people into a visable demonstration of what it means to be a religious liberal. Commitment stands at the heart.

Laity who fel led by a call to minister. Priesthood of all believers. Eveyone has a gift covenant to use spiritual gifts for building up of the faith community and the universe.

Excellence is not as important as realness. No posers.

Marketing : Recovery of the missional nature of church and move away from megachurch and miarket driven success.

Tim Sin: most american christianity is just the god life as defined by the american deam with a thin Jesus-overlay.

Movement away from the technical  different definiton of church planting, page 137, church health not church growth

The answer to legalism is unconditional love.  What would Jesus do, really?

Resurrection of  a spiritual director.  To help people stay in touch or keep in touch.

Desciple making – chart on page 221 journey of transformation see pag e 224

Commitment, commitment, embodied commitment

I'm trying to decide if I should take another class next semester  - congregational polity. Federal Jury duty in January.  a year ago I was in the midst of congregational leadership of change.  Someone dropped the curtain in April. Over, done, thank you.  All the new stuff is for someone else - I'm too close to it. Ok, but I'll be invited later. Later is now and that isn't going to happen. 

And all this research on evangelism - and some hope - but will it matter.  Maybe I will start the new Lay League and sponsor tours of UU preachers.  Much to late for this rambling.

Nancy

Young Evangelists

Chart from The Younger Evangelicals: Facing the Challenges of the New World

Time Style	Traditional Evangelicals 1950-1975	Pragmatic Evangelicals 1975-2000	Younger Evangelicals 2000-
Theological Commitment	Christianity as a rational worldview	Christianity as therapy Answers needs	Christianity as a community of faith. Ancient/Reformation
Apologetics Style	Evidential Foundational	Christianity as meaning-giver Experiential Personal Faith	Embrace the metanarrative Embodied apologetic Communal faith
Ecclesial Paradigm	Constantinian Church Civil Religion	Culturally sensitive church Market Driven	Missional Church Counter cultural
Church Style	Neighbourhood churchesRural	Megachuruch Suburban Market targeted	Small Church Back to cities Intercultural
Leadership Style	Pastor centred	Managerial Model CEO	Team ministry Priesthood of all
Youth Ministry	Church-centred programs	Outreach Programs Weekend fun retreats	Prayer, Bible Study, Worship, Social Action
Education	Sunday School Information centred	Target generational groups and needs	Intergenerational formation in community
Spirituality	Keep the rules	Prosperity and success	Authentic embodiment
Worship	Traditional	Contemporary	Convergence
Art	Restrained	Art as illustration	Incarnational embodiment
Evangelism	Mass evangelism	Seeker Service	Process evangelism