emergent Canada

Links

2008-07-23T12:15:00.001-07:00

Due to a domain name loss, if you are trying a link on this site, replace 'emergent.ca' with 'emergentcanada.blogspot.com' in the address. Sorry.

Going offline

2008-01-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

Due to the pressures of everyday ministry and job changes, we are going offline here until further notice (i.e. the dribble of posts will finally dry up ;-). This is what we can do:

Use our unique mailout to promote events across (near) Canada.
We will also continue to try to connect people that email us looking for like-minded/spirited local community.
We will try to facilitate local meetings (esp. in Western Canada) - often through partnership.

Groups like resonate, epiphaneia and whole multitude of bloggers (to name but a few) have been extremely helpful in exploring the nature of kingdom, culture and community. There is nothing like getting together physically, but in such a large country with such differing regional contexts, they have shown their worth in supporting, challenging, and educating us.

It's been a while, so let's catch up

2007-07-12T16:06:00.000-07:00

'Missional' Conversations

(e)mergent voyageurs has been living and breathing missional identity which led to a helpful response to Bill Kinnon's much-blogged polemic, "The People formerly known as The Congregation." EV's manifesto, "Exploring The Community Coming To Be Known As Missional" and explanatory notes, make for a great discussion within any community.

More recently the blog has focused on Location, which leads me to...

The need for contextualising our missional thinking (where has God placed us? Who are we to serve, and what are the specific inherent issues?) is central. This has led Todd Hiestand to write"The Gosp el and the God Forsaken: The Challenge of the Missional Church in Suburbia" He asks:

"...where is the hidden, “under the surface,” poverty of our world? Despite its nice exterior of SUV’s and housing developments, could it be that the suburban world is as God-forsaken as any place on the globe? This paper will argue that it is. If this is true, what does it mean to be the church in suburban America? What does it mean to be “missional” in a context where there are very few apparent and obvious needs?"

Obviously much is being written in these areas, and these papers are what they are... valuable pieces of a developing puzzle. Thanks to both.

Elsewhere in the News

Jo and Jeremy (Thinkerlabs) are on the road, and over the next twelve months invite us to journey with them in an attempt to capture to film what God is up to in Canada on our shift as the church. Focusing primarily on church plants and other new forms of church, this initiative is not a 'how to’ but rather a ‘how it is’. The hope? To discover, encourage and connect church leaders and communities…and have a little fun in the process.

Here's the latest from the documentary blog: West Coast Wrap. Now the boys move onto Saskatoon.

Elsewhere in the World: Amahoro Africa

To quote TallSkinnyKiwi:

"To move parts of the conversation from the campfire of postmodernism to postcoloialism is not just to shift the focus from theology to missiology, where much of it belongs, but it also involves a shift from the issue of knowledge to the issue of power. And of the three concerns of postmodern thinking [knowledge, power and aesthetics] the Western church has got stuck on the epistemological questions of knowledge to the neglect of justice and power. Maybe the African church will show the Western church how to navigate these waters."

So, if you (like me) did not get the chance to go to Uganda in May, and regret it - then you can live and learn vicariously from the postcolonial voice. Here's one lecture summary to start you off:

One African Postcolonial Theology: The Imperative to Differ
(Notes from a lecture by Dr Kenzo Mabiala at the Amahoro Gathering )

The church in Africa is at a cross roads, poised to become a major force in the world. But we will only be successful in this if we have the courage to differ, to innovate.

In a world that is increasingly becoming a global village, there are not only the obvious changes (like communications, travel, products, etc), but also that we are changing our view of the world. This is as important and profound a change as the shift to the modern era from the middle ages.

Around the world, this is often referred to as postmodernism. In Africa, this is happening, too, under the guise of postcolonialism. This is more than a time or an era – it is a mindset or an attitude, too. There are those who cannot move forward until they have dealt with the demons of colonialism.

Knowledge is never innocent. It is a play between two forces: power and control. The first generation of African scholars saw the colonial problem, and the solution was to regress to pre-colonial, pre-Christian, pre-Islamic Africa. But, they have realised that this is an impossibility. The challenge going forward is to integrate all aspects of who we are now (e.g. Congolese, Christian, technologically advanced individual), rather than denying any one of these aspects of who we are.

Why am I attracted to postmodernism, emerging thinking and postcolonialism? Because they are asking the right questions.

Identity is created, not inherited. In Christ, we can be recreated.

When we study theology, we must realise that every theology is a contextual theology – yes, even Calvin and Luther.

Postmodernity is incredulity towards meta narratives. Every story is told around a plot, and that story is not innocent.

Those (like Carson) who are trying to maintain modernity, do not see modernity through the eyes of the oppressed. In Africa, modernity brought slavery and colonial oppression. It is like the “smell of an abusive father” – even when it is no longer there, you still have the smell of him in your nose (this analogy from a Congolese philosopher).

Africa has an opportunity to choose an identity – to choose how to respond and how to integrate. Africans must respond with boldness, creativity and difference.

You can listen the full podcasts here.

Uncle Brian's reflection on the Amahoro gathering is here, then use the sidebar to get a day-by-day feel for what happened.

Upcoming Gatherings

Soularize 2007 is a year-long online collaborative learning journey which will culminate with a three day learning party, hosted by Spencer Burke, in Nassau, Bahamas, October 25-27, 2007, where you will hear from and interact with N. T. Wright, Brennan Manning, Rita Nakashima Brock, and Fr. Richard Rohr on the future of the Church.

Even if you haven't been a part so far, it is open to you. Despite the obvious hardship of the location, it should be a valuable time ;-) Unless you're sailing, Carbon Credits are an option.

In closing... a resource Reminder

At allelon.org there is truly a feast of tasty, diverse offerings. If you haven't try one today.

Forming Missional Leaders (BC)

2007-04-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Feedback from recent gatherings...

2007-04-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Evolving Church: Restoring Justice (ON)

For an overview of the gathering, talks and conversations check out Nathan's post which starts: "We are guessing there was about 760 people there throughout the day not including speakers for volunteers. While I’m not a numbers guy all that much, seeing The Meeting House that full of people passionate about social justice was an inspiration..."

Possibly the greatest note-taker ever is Daryl. His posts can be found on his blog, but what is even better is the pdf collection which talks in depth about nearly every session.

Other links here.

What is the Emerging Church? (QC)– sponsored by Christian Direction and ETEM

Thursday was in French with about 35 people, and Friday in English with around 15. One really nice surprise was the fact that Eric invited Jean-Yves Cossette from Québec City. He was there to deal with the theological/philosophical dimension. Wow! Jean-Yves knows his stuff! He’s read Derrida/Foucault in the original French and knows how to bring it into real-life situations. I was responsible for covering some Emerging Church Practices so I tried to make a less academic presentation by setting up some meditation stations and using lots of pix from various emerging communities. I also led my part of the discussion with a community of local friends (thanks - Julien, Andrea, Nick and Stef) who helped with some of the tougher questions and practical issues. Fortunately, most in attendance were genuinely seeking to understand the movement, and some others were actually wondering how to connect with it more.
Dave Brazzeal

The Thin Place (QC) – sponsored by YWAM

Jeff Pratt from Axiom in New Haven, Conn, did a great job leading what was to many their first entry-level silent retreat. There were periods of teaching on the concept of silent retreat followed by periods of silence. The setting at an old school in Dunham, QC made for a quirky place to explore and find an indoor sacred-space for yourself. Or you could wander in the woods or walk up the road to the beautiful horse farms. Gab set up a nice interactive worship experience on Saturday night, but it seemed many in the group weren’t used to that sort of thing. Pierre LeBel lined up with Jeff to make it an annual event for the next few years.
Dave Brazzeal

Local Groups

2007-03-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Recently I was contacted by David in Red Deer (see below) who desires to get together with others thinking about the emerging / missional church. So I thought it would be worth highlighting all those looking to start informal groups. If you live nearby and are of a similar mind, or know others who do, or simply want to give words of advice/ encouragement then please contact them:

Halifax, NS - Carol Smith | {carolsmith167} AT {hotmail} DOT {com}
Calgary, AB - Rick Bayer | {rbayer} AT {telus} DOT {net}
Edmonton, AB - Stan King | {stan} AT {westana} DOT {com}
Alliston, ON - Wes Harcourt | {wes.harcourt} AT {sympatico} DOT {ca}
Great Vancouver (south), BC - Tim Ibbotson | {quantimtheory} AT {gmail} DOT {com}
Regina, SK - Cory Vance | {cdv} AT {askbeltone} DOT {com}
Red Deer, AB - David Heinrichs | {prairieoasis} AT {gmail} DOT {com} | (403)346-4432

A little more info here

The Evolving Church... a natural selection

2007-02-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

This Toronto gathering has just announced more workshop leaders, including Sylvia Keesmaat- co-author of Colossians Re-mixed and professor at the Toronto School of Theology. Her workshop is entitled Justice and Creation Care. Also... Lorna Maracle Dodge on the theme of Justice and the First Nations. This comes from their keynote, Shane Claiborne:

"When the church becomes a place of brokerage rather than an organic community, she ceases to be alive. She ceases to be something we are, the living bride of Christ. The church becomes a distribution center, a place where the poor come to get stuff and the rich come to dump stuff. Both go away satisfied (the rich feel good, the poor get clothed and fed), but no one leaves transformed. No radical community is formed. And Jesus did not set up a program but modeled a way of life that incarnated the reign of God, a community in which people are reconciled and our debts are forgiven just as we forgive our debtors (all economic words). That reign did not spread through organizational establishments or structural systems. It spread like disease – through touch, through breath, through life. It spread through people infected by love"

Missional Matrix

2007-02-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

Off The Map has invited some of todays leading thinkers on all things missional to share their view from the road and help us make meaning out of the theological and very personal twists and turns we find ourselves navigating as leaders. With Scot McKnight...

In Seattle, in March... so a little drive for the left-coasters... here for more.

Lenton Sessions (BC)

2007-02-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

Economics and Ecology
Must a robust economy keep ecological concerns in the back seat? It just might be possible to keep a healthy environment and still have a healthy economy. Come and find out how in this speakers forum. Speakers from the finance and environmental sectors will make presentations and participants will discuss them and develop a Christian perspective on these issues.

Easter-Wings: poems and pilgrimage – Wilma Vanderleek
Walk through Lent with George Herbert, a 16th century Anglican priest in a little rural parish in England. Herbert wrote poems full of unusual pictures of the Christian life that were a great comfort to Christians in his day. We'll read and enjoy one poem a week and then let Herbert's honest struggle to find God in the middle of his suffering and doubts and even rebellion connect with our own joys and sorrows this Lent 2007.

The Stations of the Cross – Albert Westerhuis
From the earliest days, when pilgrims came to see Jerusalem, they were anxious to follow in the footsteps of Jesus on his way to crucifixion. Over time, fourteen “stations” were developed as a way to remember the passion story, and eventually churches created replicas of these stations in their sanctuaries. In this course we will study the history of the stations of the cross and create our own for use during the week before Easter.

February 25 – April 1 at 6 – 7pm (worship from 5:30pm)
Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church
9165 – 160 Str, Surrey, BC
www.fleetwoodcrc.org
604-584-6244

The Thin Place

2007-02-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

Pierre LeBel wants to invite you to a very special and unusual retreat. The Thin Place is organized by YWAM Quebec, www.curieux.ca and Impact Churches in Montreal. Jeff Pratt is the founder of YWAM AXIOM in New Haven (Yale U) and is well connected to the emerging church movement in the US and the UK. As a young Mormon priest, it was his encounter with the cross that brought him to Jesus and, since then, to Christian ministry. On the eve of Easter, we'll focus on the relevance of the cross as the heart of the gospel, even in our post-Christian and postmodern culture. Click on the picture for more info...

Mike Frost in Vancouver

2007-02-22T12:57:00.000-08:00

I have just heard from Andy Harrington at YFC that Mike will be in Vancouver, BC, on Saturday April 14th. More details to follow...

Here is the Amazon write up on his most recent book:

Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture presents a biblical, Christian worldview for the emergent church—people who are not at home in the traditional church or in the secular world. As exiles of both, they must create their own worldview that integrates their Christian beliefs with the contemporary world. Exiles seeks to integrate all aspects of life and decision-making and to develop the characteristics of a Christian life lived intentionally within emerging (postmodern) culture. It presents a plea for a dynamic, life-affirming, robust Christian faith that can be lived successfully in the post-Christian world of twenty-first century Western society.

Michael Frost is the Director of the Centre for Evangelism and Global Mission at Morling Baptist Seminary in Sydney, Australia, and is the author of numerous books including The Shaping of Things to Come with Alan Hirsch (Hendrickson, 2003)

“The Church Between Gospel and Culture: Contemporary Ways of Being a Church”

2007-02-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

Event: “The Church Between Gospel and Culture: Contemporary Ways of Being a Church” with Dr. Craig Van Gelder and Dr. Edmund Gibbs
Date: March 2 & 3, 2007
Location: Northwest & Fosmark Buildings, Trinity Western University, 7600 Glover Road, Langley
Cost: Regular Fee: $100
Contact: Loren Warkentin at (604) 513-2121 ext. 3866 or loren.warkentin@twu.ca

With sessions that include discussions on postmodernism, religious diversity, and Islam, this conference will look at the relationship of the Christian church with culture. The keynote speakers, Dr. Craig Van Gelder and Dr. Edmund Gibbs, have both published extensively on the topic and will be hosting plenary sessions throughout the conference.

Hold the press...

2007-02-19T13:04:00.000-08:00

MISSIONAL example
Ray and Mike have just started a ministry called 'Red House Consulting' which is a direct approach to addressing the highest need among First Nations communities today, that of leadership development. By personal contact and developing authentic relationships, they aim to build community, help the youth find their vision, and impact poverty. (Note: these words are mine not theirs, but taken mainly from the website)

Extra Gathering: "The Emerging Church"

This conference will be offered twice, once in French, once in English.
Thursday, March 29 (in French): 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Friday, March 30 (in English): 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Speakers:
Éric Wingender – What is the Theology Behind the phenomena of the Emerging Church?
Steve Robitaille – Rethinking the Church Vision
David Brazzeal – The practices of the Emerging Church

The place can hold 30 seats. The fee is $25, including tea, coffee, lunch and a copy of the new book "An Emerging Theology for the Emerging Church" from R. Anderson (IVPress, 2007).
If you come both days the cost is $40. The colloquium will be held at ETEM 4824, chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Suite 301 Montréal (Metro Côte-des-Neiges, Bus 165 south or Metro Guy and Bus 165 north).
To register call 514-878-3035 or e-mail info@direction.ca.

Feb '07: Justice and restoration of all creation

2007-02-16T14:46:00.000-08:00

Gatherings

There are a host of good things going on in the next few months. As you now Epiphaneia are running their second conference - this time called The Evolving Church: Restoring Justice - on March 24 at The Meeting House in Oakville. The plenary speakers will be Jim Wallis , Shane Claiborne and Ron Sider.

With a line up like this, it would be nice to show them the 'other' Canada... so let me know if you would be interested in hosting/running/partnering with a 'Justice on the road' somewhere else in our great land. I have started putting feelers out in Vancouver/BC but email us if you want to get involved. It would be great to insert some local Canadian content to the mix too.

Talking of which, another RESONATE ECHO is happening, this time with the influential Alan Roxburgh exploring missional leadership. So on Mon Mar 19 7:30pm - 10pm head over to Richview Baptist Church (1548 Kipling Ave, Etobicoke) if you're in the province... More info here. Like grace, it's freely given ...

Cultivate Gathering is a learning party. This year it is on Saturday, April 21, from 8:00 am - 9:00 pm at the Freeway in (Hamilton, On.)

Details: only $50 and that includes a terrific lunch. Limited numbers to give everyone there the best possible environment for networking. Local church planters and leaders telling their stories. Dialogue with people in similar shoes and learn and grow within that relationship.

Later in the month, in Quebec, the Taize Pilgrimage of Trust visits Montréal (April 27-29.) The weekend is aimed at stimulating young adults to become bearers of peace, trust and reconciliation in the places where they live. All the necessary information here.

Bigger, Greener picture

This month, it's official - Global climate change is "very likely" (90%+) to have been human-induced, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded. Al Gore is following up his documentary with a Live Earth Concert. A year ago the U.S. evangelical community released a call urging appropriate actions that follow from these four claims: Human-Induced Climate Change is Real; The Consequences of Climate Change Will Be Significant, and Will Hit the Poor the Hardest; Christian Moral Convictions Demand Our Response to the Climate Change Problem; The need to act now is urgent.

So here is a taste of some local responses, small and large, to the need for a considered creation care, simplicity and e-ducation:

Greeningspirit.ca is a gathering place for Anglicans of BC and the Yukon who share a passion for the stewardship of creation and are prepared to pledge action in its care.

Earthkeeping | Spring Garden Church Series (Toronto)- a series about climate change, the environment, and God's heart for His creation. You can read more info here. There will be three Sunday afternoon sessions taking place at the church - February 18, March 4, March 25 - from 12:00 - 3:00 pm.Lenten Forum “God, Climate Change and Us” (Victoria, BC) at 12:00-1:00 p.m. Wednesdays Feb 21, 2007 through April 4, 2007.

Here are two projects that are the brainchild of this blogger . Firstly, Small(er) Sundays is all about reducing our ecological footprints when we gather together as communities of Christ. The challenge is in doing so creatively, and the fun is in telling each other how we're going about it all! Check it ou t - pick a date, do some brainstorming, and share the resultant stories...

James' sideline project going bringing all things green in Victoria under one site. Check out the Victoria Green Directory if either a) you live in Victoria, or b) you don't, but want to see a creative way of spreading the word about looking after this world.

Until next time.

Restoring Justice conference Mar 24

2007-01-17T15:03:00.000-08:00

Epiphaneia are pleased to announce that we have planned another conference called The Evolving Church: Restoring Justice and TICKETS ARE NOW FOR SALE. The date of the conference is March 24, 2007 at The Meeting House in Oakville. The plenary speakers will be Jim Wallis , Shane Claiborne and Ron Sider with workshops from David Fitch, Sandra Ryan, Dion Oxford, Dan Oudshoorn, Greg Paul, Rick Tobias and others.

It was very busy and soon filled last year so get on it if you're in town. It looks great. All the information about registration, workshops and group rates can be found on the website: www.epconference.net

Open Question #1: Heaven

2006-12-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

The following question was sent to us:

"Is there a place for heaven in the emergent church theology? The idea of a life after death in heaven with Jesus has been a huge part of my faith and hope. Although I realize the we have allowed it to completely overshadow the necessity of experiencing eternal life here and now and diminished our sense of responsibility to this world, there must be something after we die... Can you point me to resources either online or in print that I could read."

We then sent it out to our mailing list before opening it up here. Here are the responses (in order they were received, and without editorial emPHAsis/bias). Feel free to add you own 10c...

In my understanding, ‘heaven’ is not a place we go to when we die, it is a reality that will finally and fully break upon the earth in all its redemptive and restorative power, when Jesus returns again. As you know, the book of Revelation presents, in the final chapters, a picture of the end which culminates in the heavenly city descending upon the earth. In other words, we don’t ‘go to heaven’, heaven ‘comes to us’. So, contra Tim LaHaye and friends, you do, in fact, want to be left behind.

In all my reading of Scripture, I cannot find the evidence to justify the view that the ‘heavens and the earth’ will be destroyed, and that heaven is a non-material (that is, purely spiritual) existence that I will go to, when I die. Yes, at the resurrection my body will be different, and yet somehow still the same. Jesus’ own resurrected body is surely the prototype (if you will permit me to call it that)? Romans 8 is a touchstone for me on this issue:

19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that[i] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Note that is says, firstly, the creation awaits, in eager expectation, for the ‘sons of God to be revealed’, in other words, for the day of our resurrection. Furthermore, the creation itself will not be ‘destroyed’ or ‘removed’ or ‘incinerated in the fires of God’s wrath’, but “will be liberated from its bondage to death, and brought into freedom”. If that isn’t a hopeful picture I don’t know what is! On the human front, Paul says that we too await the “redemption of our bodies”. So it seems that on the final day, at the resurrection, we will be “enfleshed” as it were, as we are now, and the creation will itself be “brought into freedom”, and if we take the image in Revelation (and Genesis 1 and 2), of God’s “city” (i.e., His dwelling place) coming to rest upon the earth, and He dwelling with us on earth (which is what I think the image suggests), then we can say, to use a bad cliché, there will be “heaven on earth”.

As NT Wright says, there is nowhere in the New Testament that uses language like “going to heaven when I die”, the language it does use is “asleep in Christ”, “with Christ”, etc. Suggesting that the saints who have passed on, are “with and in Christ”, waiting for the resurrection – the day when the earth and sea will give up their dead and stand before God. So, it is not at all clear in the New Testament as to what happens to those who’ve passed on, as we wait for the resurrection. Though it does seem that life in some form continues, for example, who is with Christ at the transfiguration? Was it really Moses and Elijah? If so, where had they been hanging out after they died? I don’t know. The reality and power of God’s Kingdom is such that I it can include many different possibilities. I think we can live with some ambiguity, no?

The “going to heaven when we die” business, as well as a misunderstanding that “new heaven and new earth” means this current creation is redundant and doomed, (which it isn’t, because I think “new” means “redeemed”, in the same we that we have been made “new” in Christ) and therefore, we can do whatever we want to it: rape it, exploit it, suck every resource we can out of it, destroy the animals, pollute the rivers, fill the ground with toxic waste. Whatever, its all “going to burn anyway”, right? Wrong. We were created to be stewards and servants and gardeners of what God has made, that which He called “good”. (And it still is good, by the way.)

What I’m arguing is that I see a direct correlation between one’s eschatology, and one’s understanding of the role of the human being in the world.

Tim

That is an excellent question. It isn't so much heaven as the complete otherworldly focus of Christianity that is a problem. I have a paper in for marking where I analyse what I call the "Weaker Grace" or a typical evangelical vision of grace that in my estimation does nothing more than have us mitigating risk while we wait out our decline narratives. I use the work of Jurgen Moltmann as the critique. This was for a theology course on Grace at St. Paul University so it is a bit technical, I could try to frame the ideas in lay terms if you like. I would recommend Moltmann's Theology of Hope which I think is the right balance of both personal and social grace. An easy and relevant starting point is his book "In the End - the Beginning" but his "Theology of Hope" is also excellent.

Frank

I'm captured by the humility with which this question was posed. I must confess, the anxiety implied in the question itself strikes me as a bit sad. Questioning the idea of heaven, albeit we want to be cautious about equating metaphorical accounts in scripture as literal descriptors, seems to me to be risking the unintended ills of skepticism. Or maybe its a feeling of existential discomfort or anxiety that naturally arises when we happen onto a new perspective, often a fringe benefit of riding the emergent pendulum swing. But I wonder if this is less an issue of either-or (as that seems to fail the spirit of emergent theology as I understand it) more so than a healthy broadening (both-and) of our ideas about heaven (i.e. eternal life now and after we die).

So, maybe the discovery in this swing is that we lose something important to our faith is we allow the idea of life after death overshadow the possibility of eternal life here and fulfilling our calling to the world. And at the same time, we also lose something equally important if we allow ourselves to lose hope in our pursuit of some kind of "theological realism". Just as light illuminates close and far away, although more so up close and less farther away, I think our faith illuminates our "here and now" and "then and there". (note sure that metaphor works so well, but its the best I've got at 12:30am). Personally, I'm looking forward to heaven, whatever and wherever that might be.

Paul

In regards to "heaven" - I'm not entirely sure that our theology of heaven has kept us from living out the life of Jesus here. At least, not a healthy theology of heaven. Maybe our lack of understanding God's real plan for us is what keeps us from truly living out our faith here. Through my personal experience, when we are not only saved, but being converted by Jesus - that's what enables us to live out the joy of walking with Jesus, now. (And I do believe that being "Saved" is the beginning point - but if we don't let God convert us - we miss so much of the joy of being his child).

If you are looking for a thorough treatment of the theology of heaven - I've been blessed by Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven". It's not a quick read - but it is good. Even life changing. (seem funny to say a book on heaven if life changing?).

Jerry

Regarding the promise of eternal life and dwelling with Jesus Christ into eternity after physcial death, I myself look to John 3:16 and the last two chapters of Revelation, Chapters 21 and 22.

Susan

The resources for this one are easily accessible: Jo 14:3; 2Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 1Thes 4:17 come to mind. Do they require comment?

Jack

... I can offer my own simple belief that indeed there is a life to come – and what / how that is, is totally beyond my best imaginings.

David

I'm not sure how widely my reading of the New Testament would be accepted by the emerging church.

The argument of The Coming of the Son of Man is that the prospect of going to be with God in heaven when we die is reserved for the suffering community of the early church. It is not a normal thing, it is exceptional. The basic biblical understanding of death is simply that when we die, we die. We return to the earth. At a certain stage the hope of resurrection emerges, essentially in response to the threat posed by pagan opposition (Antiochus Epiphanes).

In the first place this is a metaphor for the renewal of the nation, but it becomes a more literal hope for the martyrs - and of course for Jesus and the early church. But because resurrection is a bodily event that in principle presupposes a created environment, we also see the thought emerge of a new heaven and a new earth. The 'first resurrection' of the martyrs (and of Jesus for that matter) is a resurrection to the right of God in heaven because there is no new creation as yet. But the second resurrection of all the dead after the old creation has fled away precedes the appearance of a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 20:11-21:4).

So my argument is that for the 'post-eschatological' church the hope we have is not of going to be with God in heaven but of God coming to be part of a new creation from which sin and death have been banished. It would appear that those whose names are written in the book of life become part of that new creation.

Tom Wright doesn't entirely agree with my line of interpretation, but you should have a listen to these talks, at least the first two: http://www.opensourcetheology.net/talks.

Andrew

News and Events - Dec 2006

2006-12-07T10:42:00.001-08:00

You may have noticed the recent inspired poster campaign coming out of the UC of Canada. After an extensive survey of the spirituality of the younger generations (esp. ages 30-45) they have launched a new conversational website along with the ez answer squirrel. I'll let them describe the reasoning:

"Why did we open WonderCafe? Because at The United Church of Canada, we love open-minded discussion on issues that matter to you. And because we believe that it’s important to have a place at which you can explore your spirituality and life’s big questions on your own terms."

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Special Needs Children in Church
Stephane Dion and Dual Citizenship

In a recent article, David Horrox explores the Missional Church model and (among other things) asks us the question, "To what extent is our church a 'sent' community in which each believer is reaching out to his community?" Helping us to understand and reimagine our communities, The Blind Beggar has come of with a fantastic new site called "Friend of Missional". This collection of information is extremely helpful in understanding the emphases of the emerging missional church. A few minutes on Google will bring up a few blogs that have discussed the whole emerging/emergent/missional terminological debate (I'll leave that to you). It is worth noting that the themes themselves have a rich history (for example Elton Trueblood's books from the '60s; as well as Newbiggin later on).

If you find yourself in Illinois this weekend or have plenty of left-over cash due to the adoption of a Buy-Nothing Christmas then check out this Emergent offering.

This February sees Aussie Mike Frost (Forge etc) come to Toronto (oh, so far from BC) for a conference called "Living Missionally in a Post Christian World". Details here - should be good.

Finally, congratulations to this year's winner of the Best Religious blog at the Canadian Blog Awards - the incomparable (e)mergent voyageurs. It is rumoured that Jamie, on receiving the golden trophy, thanked God for being the inspiration behind his achievement ;-)

Micah + Uganda + blogger = DTS (Winnipeg)

2006-09-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

Incorporating the spirit of much of the last post, this opportunity just in from Jamie:

"Our January 2007 Discipleship Training School (DTS) is shaping up to be a really great program, with the three months of training and on site ministry in Winnipeg's West End, followed by a two month outreach to Uganda. Many of you will know Uganda's need from the stunning documentaries "Invisible Children" and "Uganda Rising". This school will challenge students to engage missions with a heart of compassion and justice (Micah 6:8) in real and powerful ways. Our emphasis in our DTS is to help create missional Christians who can engage the post-colonial, post-Christendom world, especially in the urban context. We emphasize a theology of justice and community throughout. We still need to see 4 to 6 more students sign up."

One DTS is very unlike another.

Post-paucity

2006-09-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

As you well know, there are never enough post- words in the emergent conversation, so I bring this one to you as a descriptive header over some woeful excuses.

The last few months have been a personal whirlwind as I spent time in Uganda seeing first-hand the terrible situation with the kids in the North, visited some IDP camps and reconciliation projects, followed by taking in a Disciple Nations conference - this practical theology plays a key role in undergirding Micah Challenge in Canada - with some amazing leaders from a host of Central African nations. One of those times when listening is far more important. This has led to my involvement with and promotion of GuluWalk and Micah. Hot on the heels of this formational time, I moved house and experienced the birth of my firstborn son. Parental leave has flashed by as work looms. Busy, exciting times, and a dearth of posts.

Why the personal update? Two reasons: I would love to talk about any of my experiences above, and secondly, this website appears a little faceless on occasion.

Moving on.

Firstly to those of you new to the site, do check out the Canadians blogging about church, spirituality and culture in our context. There are some great posts out - just waiting to be read. (Sidenote - God's Politics are now being blogged, for those of you with dual nationalities or a continental outlook). Secondly, keep your eyes on the Resources and Fellow travellers, as there are people offering help and friendship across the nation.

Finally August was a busy time for connections, and much of it (sadly) in Ontario. We have previously highlighted Cultivate, a gathering of church planters and thinkers, here. Continuing down the horticultural theme, Practicing Resurrection took place on a farm with the likes of Brian Walsh and Norman Wirzba, an author and professor who focuses on the connection between faith and agrarianism. Workshops covered such topics as food, housing, industrial design, peacemaking, sustainable agriculture, economics, canning, the arts, eco-tourism and more. I have not seen an official review but here's an unoffical, subjectively biased blog. The Nidus festival promised to be a fabulous mix of beauty and justice, with a whole host of diverse presenters and groups. Again, I await the organizers thoughts, but for now here's what appeared on Romancing the Paradox.

Coming up, if you live out west and are coming to terms with evangelicalism's rejection of the Arts, then check out Poasis' second offering in Victoria, called Telling the Truth: The Art of Redemption on Oct 20-21. Or if you care to dip into Washington State, then head down to Seattle for some Dangerous Beauty at Mars Hill.

To finish where I started, check out your local GuluWalk and pray for the ongoing peace talks there. Seriously consider getting involved in Micah Challenge, which "has been developed ... in response to a groundswell among evangelical Christian churches wanting to contribute at all levels to the alleviation of poverty and to greater justice for poor communities." They have some wonderful educational resources on Global Poverty (2005) and the recently released documents on Ending Hunger - check out their newsletter for more.

On the campaign trail...

2006-09-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

Immediate un-action ideas from Geez magazine (the sly folks who brought us Make Affluence History). And on that note...

Surprisingly enough there is still poverty and injustice around, even with those MDGs looming ever closer. Let's turn any plastic-band-fad-mentality into long term reality, and get real about kingdom values and changing systems. Finally, a project equally supported by a (er... the) famous Canadian hoopmeister...

GuluWalk 2006 seeks to support the thousands of forgotten and traumatized children ravaged by two decades of war in Northern Uganda. (Qu: Did you know about this? If 'no' then check this out). In the last few months there has been much to raise hopes, but external pressure needs to continue, as does fundraising for the groups who are on the ground.

Cultivate (if you missed out)

2006-09-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

Currently about 50 church planters (I think it's 55) and those interested in new forms of church are sitting around, sharing their stories, sipping coffee, praying together, and having a good time... although it is only 8:00AM and most of us are terribly sleepy. The idea behind Cultivate is to gather a bunch of church planters and those who are interested in new forms of church in a Canadian context and network, idea swap, share stories, and inspire. No big name speakers. No big cost. No super packed agenda. No formula for a "healthy, growing church". Just good old heart-to-heart discussion. >>Pernell's commentary

When we talk about mercy, we refer to incidents; with justice, its about actions. When we talk about mercy, we see victims; with justice, its about systems. This idea of systems is important, and controversial. I cautioned the group that as communities of faith we need to decide how far down this rabbit hole we want to go. Lots of people love to do mercy, and it's important. But when you start talking about justice and systems, it starts to sound political. And it is. >>Mike on justice

There was a lot I loved about it. The atmosphere was great. People were meeting one another and making connections and telling their amazing stories. I really appreciated how much people got involved, because like I said at the beginning of the conference, the whole day depended on them and what they put into it; we set it up that way. >>Nathan's conclusions

Revolution (in the making)

2006-08-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

One of the aims of this site is to promote gatherings of interest to Canadians. This sometimes means dropping south of the border... this time to nearby Seattle (if you live in BC) in November. See their website for more info - but for now this is their teaser of questions to be answered:

What does a new kind of Christian DO?
Why do we need a Revolution?
What does a revolution it look like in my church / community?
What about the poor?
What about the marginalized and powerless?
What role do women have in this movement?
What do young leaders need to know to avoid the mistakes of their elders?

You would bump shoulders with:

Brian McLaren - elder statesman of the emerging church movement
George Barna - leading authority on the state of the church in America
Nancy Murphy - advocate for the poor / international authority on human trafficking
Sunil Sardar - leader of the Social Spirituality movement in India
Christine Wicker - author, journalist and ex Christian fundamentalist

And more importantly, they would be meeting you. Check it out.

David Fitch in Edmonton

2006-07-21T17:30:00.000-07:00

So we continue in our efforts to stand on the shoulders of giants. Put another way, we entice interesting speakers temporarily away from their big, fully-compensating conferences to small dimly-lit rooms for the price of a beverage or two...

This time the mark was David Fitch, who was spending his waking hours speaking at the C&MA gathering in Edmonton. The following is an amalgamation of thoughts, both positive and negative from the co-hosts (Stan King, who did almost all the work, and Randy Hein, who flew in to get away from the ardours of the West Coast):

It was truly an eclectic gathering awaiting David: 40-50 people spanning generations and genders, encompassing pastors and planters - some advocates for and other casualties of the megachurch culture that was to be one of the hot topics for the night.

The evening was very informal and was 'a game of two halves'. To open David walked us through a short survey of his book The Great Giveaway, and then spent the rest of the time in discussion. He spent considerable time talking about megachurches, evangelicalism and modernity, and to say he had a few issues would be an understatement. It was good to see Terry LeBlanc there and he brought substantial wisdom to the question time.

The tone of the evening, controversial opinions and stories from the floor of disenchantment with the modern church, led different people to conclude quite different things:

One pastor writes: "I was a little disappointed ... I perceived a significant amount of the discussion was reactionary: reacting to megachurches, reacting to evangelicalism and reacting to modernity. I am not very familiar with the "emergent" discussion, so that might be the norm and I might have misunderstood some of the "emergenese". I am interested in the idea of doing things a little bit different and thinking about things a little bit different, but to do that I need not malign those who are doing things the way they think is best. I would like to pursue a future without negative emotion toward the past. Maybe that's naive."

Another evangelical pastor stated that he thought it was very affirming, and in fact far more redemptive a conversation than many he had been involved in. He was encouraged by a personal story from a disenchanted individual who left the evangelical fold, but was able to find "greater depth" later in a mainline church. He concluded that how one viewed the conversations during the evening was a matter of perspective.

All participants displayed graciousness, willingness to engage and overall great attitudes. Thank you again to everyone who made this happen, and we hope and pray that such events can have beneficial effects to the kingdom.

The Good Life on God’s Good Earth

2006-07-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

A Creation Care Conference presented by Canadian Mennonite University, Providence College & Seminary, and A Rocha - Christians in Conservation, with generous support from the C. P. Loewen Family Foundation.

What: Lectures, workshops, and field trips that explore the biblical mandate to care for God’s good earth.

Where: Canadian Mennonite University, at Grant Avenue & Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

When: Friday afternoon Sept 29 to Saturday, Sept 30, 2006

Who: Steven Bouma Prediger, author of For the Beauty of the Earth, and Professor at Hope College, Holland, MI; August Konkel, President and Professor, Providence College & Seminary; Gordon Zerbe, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of New Testament, CMU; Peter Harris, founder and Director, A Rocha International; and a variety of workshop presenters including Miranda Harris, Markku Kostamo and Henry Martens.

Description: The Bible contends that Christ brings healing and redemption to every corner of the earth and that all our relationships are made whole and complete in him. What could such hopefulness mean for our relationship with God’s good creation? How is our worship of the Creator linked with how we treat God’s world? This conference will explore some of the biblical resources that address these questions and it will describe examples of the transformation that Christ makes possible in every aspect of our lives.

Details: For more information or registration form, see the conference website. Request brochures from creationcare@cmu.ca. Early bird registration ends September 8, 2006.

Leadership Day in Montreal

2006-07-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

In an effort to highlight interesting events passing through this nation, here is an ad for one coming up in the fall in Quebec...

A day with the International Mentoring Network (IMN)
on Tuesday, Sep. 19, 2006 9-5pm
@ River's Edge Community Church, Montreal

Join Alex McManus and the IMN team for a multi-dimensional experience that will sharpen your missional frameworks, enhance your personal creativity and provide you cutting edge tools for ministry. Includes:

Steps for guiding people through life transformation
Voxtropolis – new paradigms for mission and ministry in our cyber-electronic world
Guidance for leaders of the church in a 21st Century Post-Christian West
Access to new networks and relationships

For more information and registration go here .

Bringing together the streams

2006-07-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

Free in August? Then check out the program of this unique festival...

Jamie Arpin-Ricci on Emergent Village

2006-07-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

For anyone who didn't catch it a few weeks back: Jamie Arpin-Ricci elaborates on his time in Minneapolis for the Emergent Village Coordinating Group meetings here.

Montreal Non-Conference - of the urban church that is emerging

2006-06-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

July 6-10
during the Montreal Jazz Festival

"following the way of Jesus in the urban context" - If this phrase characterizes your lifestyle, we’d like to invite you to hang with us during the Montreal Jazz Festival. Together we’ll experience the Kingdom of God on the streets of Montreal...

as people who worship: perhaps an alt.worship event in an old loft
as people who care: perhaps a project to help the urban poor
as people who create: perhaps an afternoon of music/art/poetry in a shelter for abused women
as people who learn: definitely some discussions on various aspects of following Jesus in our urban contexts
as people who enjoy life: for sure lots of listening to free jazz shows, hanging out in parks, cafés, pubs, etc

Details: Remember – this is a non-conference. That means no big convention center, no big hotel, no big church, no office, no staff…just a time for hanging out together with the missional church community in a great city with great music. Our community could possibly house/billet about 10-15 people. Others would need to stay in area hotels and hostels.

There is NO non-conference fee for this event. However you may want to make a donation to RON’s ministry to the Montreal street community.

For more information, contact Dave here or 514.931.3925 or {info} AT {curieux} DOT {ca}

Amahoro Gathering in Uganda 2007

2006-06-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

postColonial conversation in Africa
www.amahoro-africa.com
amahoroafrica.blogspot.com

Room for about 10 (plus or minus) Canadian attendees who are involved in innovative or 'emergent' ministries/community projects and who share a passion for building global partnerships with the postColonial world, specifically Africa.

Let me know how I can assist you further. We have a brochure that I can send
copies of to you, and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might
have about the gathering.

Luke Miller | {luke} AT {thedetour} DOT {net}

David Fitch in Edmonton (AB)

2006-06-08T20:19:00.000-07:00

July 6th @ 7:30pm
Providence Renewal Center, 3005-119 Street, Edmonton.

A chance to hang out with the author of the Great Giveaway, thelogian, pastor and popular blogmeister. It will be a relaxed evening with a presentation preceding a time of questions, with a few snacks to boot. Probably free. The first 'emergent Canada' ;-) gathering, it has been organized by Stan K (thanks) and will be co-hosted by Randy Hein of the Place community

For more info or to say you're coming contact Stan at {stan} AT {westana} DOT {com}

"Practicing Resurrection" August 11-13

2006-06-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Russet House Farm, Fenelon Falls, Ontario

Brian Walsh, Sylvia Keesmaat and their friends at Russet House Farm are hosting a conference with American compatriates, Culture is not Optional on the August 11-13 weekend. "Practicing Resurrection" is about living redemptively sustainable lives in the midst of an empire of disposability, waste and ecological devastation. It's about living resurrection life now. Workshops and plenary discussions will range from the principles of sustainability, an agrarian vision of life, homelessness, organic agriculture, home preserving, worship, design, urban music to whatever else happens to come up. Registration is limited for this event, and camping is available. Check out the details at www.practicingresurrection.com

Earthquake response

2006-05-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck in central Java, Indonesia, killing more than 5,700 people, seriously wounding over 6,500, and leaving an estimated 100,000 people homeless. The powerful earthquake, which struck close to Yogyakarta, on the main island of Java, is the third major tremor to strike Indonesia in 18 months, with the worst being the quake on December 26, 2004 and the resulting tsunami. Especially hard-hit was the town of Bantul and the surrounding area, accounting for many of the deaths.

We are called to engage with the suffering of the world, and there are organizations in Canada who are already acting on the scene. Two examples of active, trusted NGOs that you can support now are Canadian Food for the Hungry and Worldvision.

Cultivate (ON)

2006-05-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

Cultivate is happening because of numerous conversations between different people, organizations, networks and churches in Canada that long to see new forms of church thrive and relational networking happen. We are tired of the same old, same old conferences and just simply want to be friends, inspire each other, and swap stories, ideas, and encouragement.

News and Events

2006-05-26T14:00:00.002-07:00

Firstly, an apology - it has been far too long since the last posting. Sorry {insert cheap excuse}. So with that out of the way, I wanted to highlight some of the wonderfully diverse and kinda important kingdom happenings of the past and near future.

Did you miss out on?

1) empire remixed in Toronto. Featuring Brit Bishop and theologian (and guitarist?) Tom Wright and hosted by Brian Walsh at a downtown nightclub, this was a highly memorable and unsurprisingly profound event. Read a review here or here and see the more pictures here.

2) David Fitch at the Freeway. The author of the Great Giveaway, thelogian, pastor and popular blogmeister met up with the Resonate ECHO crowd in Hamilton. Nathan reviewed the night here, pictured in glorious technicolor here with the added bonus of a google video. Is David going to be back in Canada - yes and see below.

3) "Here Comes Everybody" - Telecast yesterday out of Trinity Church in the States - "Three prominent advocates (Alan Jones, Diane Butler Bass and Brian McLaren) for progressive discipleship gather for a discussion on how to build new kinds of Christian communities. This telecast (examines) the renewal of basic practices such as hospitality, discernment of the church's calling, personal testimony, observing the Sabbath, and open conversation."

Coming up...

1) EDMONTON will be the next home-from-home for David Fitch (for a day or two). On the evening of July 6th 2006 we will host him somewhere, sometime. This much is certain. More details very soon. Any questions contact me us.

2) An interesting to-an-fro in Geez magazine highlighted the possibilities of an Ad-free mag advertising something good. Thus an advert for the Nidus festival (ON.) was born. Check out their site for who will be dropping into this exciting beauty and justice mix.

And talking of justice...

The horrific, unjust situation in North Uganda has been recently brought to the fore by groups like Guluwalk- they have just announced the date of the next international awareness walk. In the last few months, important documentaries have also appeared from California (Invisible Children) and our own CBC. I would like to highlight the most recent and in-depth excellent offering called Uganda Rising - recently launched to Audience acclaim at the Toronto HotDocs festival. If you don't know about what is going on then take a few minutes...

Finally the Micah Challenge movement is gaining more steam both internationally and in Canada, as it seeks to unite Christians in addressing poverty locally and globally. The challenges are many but already groups within the Christian church that seldom talk to one another are sitting down and agreeing to act under the safety of a non-partisan umbrella. Action can be taken by individuals, churches and organizations. Local expressions should be diverse and focused on local needs. National strategies are facilitated by the Micah teams. Education materials - for kids, youth and adults - on poverty and Christian responses have been drawn so far from partnerships with Worldvision (2005) and CFGB (2006, forthcoming). Keep your eye on this site over the next months...

New resource centre launched

2006-04-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

This has just come to our attention, and now resides on our resource list. From the horse's mouth:

The Canadian Centre for Worship Studies is dedicated to thoughtful engagement of ideas and practice related to Christian worship and is maintained by students and faculty at Briercrest Seminary. This includes worship that happens when people gather together (the corporate) and when people worship alone.

This looks like an excellent, growing article archive so take some time and support its ideals... Thanks Dale.

Street Level 2006

2006-04-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

From here:

"We believe STREET LEVEL 2006, an event more than two years in the making, created a national turning point – leading us to understand and act in new ways in changing the course Canada takes regarding homelessness, while modeling a dynamic response to an issue that is similarly critical for other nations.

The week following the conference was filled with queries from media, from interested individuals and from other faith-based groups actively involved in addressing issues of poverty and homelessness here in Canada. The momentum is growing and the potential is immeasurable. Street Level 2006 secured the foundations of an ongoing coalition of like-minded ministries and agencies from across Canada committed to working together to raise the level of life, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, for those in our communities who are poor or homeless...

...The response to Street Level 2006 has been overwhelming. From government, to delegates, media, from those who did not attend but have since heard about it, it is clear that this forum can and will play a significant role in mobilizing and uniting Canadians to be ‘truthtellers and peacemakers’ around issues of domestic poverty."

Dust and Light

2006-04-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

As we hear about cool stuff, we post it. This Lenten art/worship event took place last week in Victoria, BC and the night was put together by artists from a bunch of local church communities. Here's Weary Pilgrim's review and I recommend people to check out the pictures. Feel free to contact the team behind this, Poasis, to find out more, encourage or question them, or just connnect...

"Evolving Church" finished

2006-04-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

End times prophecy, refutation of creatio continua, or just a quick post to highlight the end of great conference at Tyndale?

Prize if you guessed the third one. Go here for a Dash-ing report on the day's events... Try this to find out what one of the organisers thought... Or, to round up all the news, resources, and pictures visit Epiphaneia's new website. Congratulations for pulling this together!

A fireside chat ... in Toronto

2006-04-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday night Darryl Dash and some great Richview Baptist Church volunteers hosted about 60 folks for a resonate ECHO/emergentcanada partnership evening with Brian McLaren. Coming on the heels of a full day at Tyndale university College & Seminary with Chris Seay, Don Miller and Brian doing the plenary sessions, about half of us were pretty tired, and processing a lot of information, Brian included.

Always gracious, Brian kicked off the evening around 7:45 pm with few vignettes about his recent several week swing through New Zealand, Australia and South Africa with his wife Grace. Pointing out some similarities between the New Zealand ethos and the Canadian one ( both living in the shadow of a much bigger neighbour ) he wondered out loud what the role of the New Zealanders and Canadians will be in the emerging churches conversation? He went on to tell a few powerful and moving stories about his time in South Africa. After opening up with that, we had a good back and forth discussion about some of the ideas and issues facing the emerging church in other parts of the world. We spent the last hour fielding questions and wrapped it up about 9:45 pm.

Thanks to all who helped put this little gathering together and may this be the first of many...

Don C

Montreal Cohort // La Cohorte Montréalaise

2006-03-29T15:30:00.000-08:00

Montreal Cohort – The emergent conversation in Montreal

Next dates: April 26, May 24
Location: Café Second Cup 3695 St-Laurent
Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Subject: we are discussing Kester Brewin’s book: The Complex Christ
For more info contact David Brazzeal - brazzeals @ canada.com

La Cohorte Montréalaise – la conversation émergente à Montreal

Prochains dates : le 26 avril, le 24 mai
Lieux : Café Second Cup 3695 St-Laurent
Horaire : 9h30 à 11h30

Sujet : on discute le livre de Kester Brewin : The Complex Christ
Renseignements, contactez David Brazzeal - brazzeals @ canada.com

Resources

2006-03-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

Magazines

Beyond Geez Precipice

Articles
Here are links to a wide range of excellent articles:

Allelon
Emerging church info
Emergent Village
Next Reformation (articles and resources)
Canadian Centre for Worship Studies
A Rocha - Creation Care teaching
Au Sable Institute - Christian Environmental Stewardship
xCulture (Milton Friesen) - some excellent resources (buried in an older site)

Here are some (links to) individual articles supplied or recommended by visitors to this site:

Emerging Church (Scot McKnight) - EXCELLENT INTRO
Post-charismatics (Robby Mac)
Missional church (David Eagle)
Ideologies (Kyle Martin)
Dreaming Peace and Justice (David Brazzeal)
Thoughts on Community (James Shelley)
Backbone (Kester Brewin) - leadership thoughts
An Arts Forum transcript (Randy Hein)
A Study In Contrast (Jamie Arpin-Ricci) - Canadian & US culture
What Is The Gospel? part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Jamie Arpin-Ricci)
Homosexuality & the Church part 1 | 2 | 3 (Jamie Arpin-Ricci) - suprisingly cordial, well-informed multilogue
Shame and the Cross (David Eagle) - rediscovering metaphors
Environmental Stewardship (Derek Sou) - scriptural overview

Booklists

Allelon
Jordon's list
Jamie's list (see sidebar)
Len's list
Emergent Village
thePlace list

Audio

Shifting Realities part 1* |2 |3 |4a |4b |Q&A (B. McLaren, with D. Allender*) - available by email request
Next Step part 1 |2 |3 (stories) |4 |5 (B. McLaren) - available by email request
Sessions from Emerging church/Theological Education caucus at Princeton
Next Reformation podcasts (L. Hjalmarson)
a fireside chat (eCan/Resonate ECHO Apr 8th 2006 with B. McLaren)

Visual

Thinkerlabs (video resources)

Miscellaneous

Ingenuity Arts - of interest to people interested in deepening creative and inventive capacity (go to sidebar LINKS)
Social Justice Lectionary - those wanting to approach the weekly lectionary readings from a justice perspective (Bruce Sweet)

Local Groups (Cohorts?)

2006-03-23T20:42:00.000-08:00

What is it anyway?

Well, "cohort" has numerous meanings - from 480 Roman soldiers (unhelpful in this context) to how our emergent US friends define it. Closer to home, Resonate has been promoting Greenhouses as a way to get together. We would emphasize inclusivity, safety, small size, regularity, flexibility and informality - but the group really should define and 'brand' itself (or not). All the groups meet to support each other and help wrestle with missional/ emerging church questions.

Fancy starting a 'cohort'?

If you would like to start one we would love to be able to share some details, maybe a schedule, and definitely a willing contact. Please note - this is connecting resource, no 'ownership' desired.

Fancy joining a 'cohort'?

Existing Groups
(Note that a group may have some requirements of the joiner due to its aims or definition. The contact would be able to let you know if this is the case.)

Montreal, QC - David Brazzeal | {brazzeals} AT {canada} DOT {com}
Kelowna, BC - Len Hjalmarson | {next1} AT {nextreformation} DOT {com}
Victoria, BC - Paul Tangira | {tangira} A {shaw} DOT {ca}

People Looking to start groups
So please contact them if you're of the same mind and location...

Halifax, NS - Carol Smith | {carolsmith167} AT {hotmail} DOT {com}
Calgary, AB - Rick Bayer | {rbayer} AT {telus} DOT {net}
Edmonton, AB - Stan King | {stan} AT {westana} DOT {com}
Alliston, ON - Wes Harcourt | {wes.harcourt} AT {sympatico} DOT {ca}
Great Vancouver (south), BC - Tim Ibbotson | {quantimtheory} AT {gmail} DOT {com}
Regina, SK - Cory Vance | {cdv} AT {askbeltone} DOT {com}

Connecting with Organizations

2006-03-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

In loose alphabetical order and updated as we receive more info, here are a list of people who are representatives of their organization, and are willing/knowledgeable and authorized to discuss how the emerging conversation in Canada impacts it:

(NOTE: emails are displayed as e.g. {bob} AT {youruncle} DOT {ca} - meaning bob@youruncle.ca - to avoid spambots)

a) ORGANIZATIONS (including parachurch groups)

Allelon - Sara Jane Walker | {sjrwalker} AT {shaw} DOT {ca}
Arrow Leadership - Steve Brown | {steveb} AT {arrowleadership} DOT {org}
Caleb Ministries - Brian McGaffigan | {brian} AT {caleb-ministries} DOT {com}
Christian Direction - Steve Thrall | {sthrall} AT {direction} DOT {ca} and Bernard Racicot | {bracicot} AT {direction} DOT {ca}
Global Youth Network/Reseau Mondial Jeunesse - Dave Skene | {globalyouthnet} AT {yahoo} DOT {ca}
My People International - Ray Aldred | {ray051} AT {mts} DOT {net}
North American Institute of Indigenous Theological Studies (NAIITS) - Terry LeBlanc | {naiits} AT {shaw} DOT {ca}
Re-mix (BC) - Andy Harrington | {andyhar} AT {shaw} DOT {ca}
YFC SW ON - Rayburn Lansdell | {rlansdell} AT {sympatico} DOT {ca} and Steve Deller | {swoyfc} AT {execulink} DOT {com}
YFC Vancouver - Andy Harrington | {andyhar} AT {shaw} DOT {ca}
YWAM Winnipeg - Jamie Arpin-Ricci | {jamiearpinricci} AT {gmail} DOT {com}

b) EDUCATION (including colleges, universities, seminaries)

AUC/NUC - Ken Draper | {kdraper} AT {auc-nuc} DOT {ca}
Regent College - Darrell Johnson | {djohnson} AT {regent-college} DOT {edu}
Trinity Western University - Randy Peg Peters | {pegster} AT {shaw} DOT {ca}

c) UMBRELLA GROUPS (including denominations)

Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists - Kyle Martin | {urbanplanter} AT {gmail} DOT {com}
Lifecycle Project (Free Methodist) - Jared Siebert | {jared} AT {fmc-canada} DOT {org}
Mennonite Brethren Churches (ON) - Mark Johnson | {markejohnson} AT {canada} DOT {com}
New Gatherings (BC), active in the US, Canada and Brazil, mostly in aboriginal settings - Ray Levesque | {tellray} AT {gmail} DOT {com}
PAOC - Greg Junghans | {greg} AT {paoc} DOT {net} and Mark Crocker | {mark} AT {thedesign} DOT {ca}
Vision Minstries - Jay Gurnett | {thinking} AT {vision-ministries} DOT {org}

d) JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS

"a fireside chat"

2006-03-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

Hosts: emergent Canada & Resonate ECHO
Guests: Brian McLaren, you

Date: Sat Apr 8th
Time: 7:30pm 'til we get tired
Where: Richview Baptist Church (1548 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke, ON)
Added draw: fair trade refreshments
Cost: your time, energy

This relaxed, informal evening follows a full day of The Evolving Church Conference at Tyndale University. Brian, among others, is speaking at this event but we have enticed him to Richview with the promise of an armchair, good company and even better conversation. Although the format is still ... er ... liquid, we envision far more relational participation than hardcore lecture.

RSVP: Darryl Dash {echo} at {DashHouse} dot {com}
Questions: Simon Goff {admin} at {emergent} dot {ca} or Darryl

Free of charge

2006-03-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

Dipping or already submersed in the church calendar?

Here is an opportunity to get into a great book over Lent, written by Miroslav Volf, that explores 'giving and forgiving in a culture stripped of grace'. It has already just begun, but as we have only finished the prelude there is plenty of catch-up time. Reader, writer, commentator - see you there. There is already a committed Canadian contingent in this international blog.

Your turn...

2006-03-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

From the 'kick-start' report, you told us that we should be:

connecting people (69%)

facilitating gatherings (50%)

providing educational resources (29%)

helping develop "an emerging church" vision (21%)

facilitating online discussion (21%)

group directory (18%)

None of these can or should be done in a vacuum. Kinda misses the point. So, in realizing the need (and room) for multiple, overlapping conversations in Canada (see sidebar) we will always be working towards beneficial partnerships with them and others. We are also striving for inclusivity and representation ethnically, socially, among the sexes and from all walks of church, parachurch and institutional life. To this end, this site is beginning to reflect the importance of not just the English language in Canada, and now you know the Cree for 'walking together'. In terms of gender involvement, I am very happy to say that much of the work done so far has not just been product of stupid white men.

re: 1,2,6
Now's your chance to get involved:

A first draft directory of emerging communities has been posted and is open to comment/ addition/subtraction. Be kind. Be informed on the present reality.

This will be followed soon by cohorts (or some such self-defined name for open-armed groups of people getting together regularly in regional/urban centers). A push from Montreal began this (cheers David), desires from the west coast would add in nicely, and rumblings from an infamous pub in Winnipeg would be a welcome addition. We just need some details, maybe a schedule, definitely a willing contact. Please note - this is connecting resource, no 'ownership' desired.

In the next few days we want to add links to (parts of/people from) organizations/ seminaries/denominational structures that are exploring the emerging direction (e.g. YWAM Winnipeg - sorry Jamie, for the wait!) Again, contact details please...

It has been noted that many of us are involved with action groups that are taking Micah's challenge to heart, and getting to grips with Jesus' broad attitudes and kingdom practices concerning the poor and outcast. So why not get something going here too? Send us your website..

re: 1-4

There is a desire to get a few regional gatherings

going in the next year. We think these should have a little structure, a lot of goodwill and diversity, and even more conversation and relationship building. Contact us if you want to host, with some venue details and what your vision would be...

re:3
But it isn't all 'connecting people/facilitating gatherings/directories' fun. Developing a good online resource bank would be most profitable. So writers please share your thoughts (.pdf/.doc/.rtf). Alternatively recommend someone else's and we'll contact them. You may already have your own veritable goldmine (thanks Len) in which case could we link? Remember that visitors to this site may be very new or old-hands in this conversation. This will probably be the place for a couple of quality reading lists too.

That's it for now.

Getting to know us

2006-02-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

The following statement is a starting point:

"Emergent Canada desires to facilitate inclusive conversations and partnerships among Canadians searching for authentic Christian faith through a missional life of love, justice and beauty"

We are looking to get there by (in order of importance, as defined by responders to our 2005 survey):

connecting people

facilitating gatherings

providing educational resources

helping develop "an emerging church" vision

facilitating online discussion

group directory

It should be noted here that:

We are seeking partnerships and good working relationships with other existing organizations, conversations and networks in Canada. Re-inventing the wheel seems both pointless and hard work.

We are friends with Emergent Village US and UK, and have great respect for both those groups and the people within, but we are completely autonomous. At present the name 'emergent' has been retained, because we believe its usefulness as a known gateway (brand ;-) into missional/emerging church conversation, outweighs the negatives of association.

We believe in the importance and necessity of many overlapping (in terms of 'membership', aims and methods) networks.

emerging /missional gatherings in Canada

2006-01-26T16:13:00.001-08:00

A question that we are asked frequently is "where can I go to meet up with people exploring the same questions?" Obviously our geographical location, relational networks and philosophical biases all limit our answer to this question, but let this post be a start.

The following list has been generated mainly from responses to our questionnaire at the end of 2005, where we asked responders to comment on whether they believed their community was emerging / missional. It is of course difficult to say whether this is the case, or in fact, what it would look like if it was. Definitions vary as to what such communities might look like. With that disclaimer in mind however, for the purpose of actually connecting people seeking out a real communal expressions of Christian faith, try this on for size:

Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus in postmodern cultures

The nine core practices are:

Identifying with Jesus (and his way of life through incarnational living)
Transforming secular space (overcoming the secular/sacred split)
Living as community (not merely as strangers in proximity at a church service)
Welcoming the stranger (radical and genuine hospitality that is inclusive)
Serving with generosity (not merely serving the institution called "church," but people)
Participating as producers (not as widgets in the church program)
Creating as created beings (releasing God’s creativity inherent in each one)
Leading as a body (beyond control and the CEO model of leadership)
Merging ancient and contemporary spiritualities (recognizing and celebrating the contribution of 2000 years of Christianity).

From Gibbs and Bolger’s recent Emerging Churches (via Jonny Baker) - updated by M. Krause (see comments)

(For a more in-depth explanation, see Scot McKnight's article)

So here are the candidates...

Alberta

Canyon Creek Christian Fellowship Calgary
epic missional communities Calgary
New Hope Calgary
Westside Kings Church Calgary
Westview Baptist Church - AWAKEN Calgary
Xalt Calgary
city centre church Edmonton
Community of Hope Edmonton
counter culture Edmonton
gathering Edmonton
The Canopy Edmonton
the sol cafe Edmonton
Urban Bridge Church Edmonton
The Gate Lethbridge
Hope Community Covenant Church Strathmore

British Columbia

abbotsford vineyard Abbotsford
neXus Abbotsford
Calvary Baptist Church Chemainus
Heartland Fellowship Chilliwack
New Life Community Baptist Duncan
Grace Baptist Church Hope
The Bridge Kamloops
The Edge Kamloops
The Feast Kamloops
Kelowna Vineyard Church Kelowna
Langley Vineyard Langley
The Well Langley
New Heights Mission
The Joshua House Richmond
Breathe Richmond
Waves Community Richmond
coram deo community of faith Surrey
Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church Surrey
CapChurch Vancouver
Cove Community Church Vancouver
fi rst@night Vancouver
New Gatherings Vancouver
The Open House Vancouver
University Chapel Vancouver
University Town Church Vancouver
Pathways Vernon
Vernon Alliance Church Vernon
Saanich Community Church Victoria
The Place Community Victoria
Whistler Church Whistler

Manitoba

faithworks Winnipeg
kn/exion Winnipeg
Portage Avenue Church Winnipeg
Soul Sanctuary Winnipeg
Winnipeg Centre Vineyard Winnipeg

Nova Scotia

Real Life Community Church Halifax
The Agora Halifax

Ontario

Renaissance Baptist Church Brooklin
Freeway Hamilton
reach community Hamilton
Next Church Kingston
Presence London
The Annex Mississauga
The Journey Mississauga
ForestView Oakville
The Well Oakville
The Touch Community Orangeville
EcclesiaX Ottawa
Freedom Vineyard Ottawa
Ottawa Mennonite Church Ottawa
St. Pauls United Church Perth
The Third Space Peterborough
theStory Sarnia
Gateway Christian Fellowship St Catharine's
Danforth Mennonite Church Toronto
Freedomize Toronto
Sanctuary Toronto
Tilt Toronto
The Meeting House Toronto, Oakville, Hamilton
The Embassy Waterloo

Québec

Curieux Montréal
Emerge Montréal
Impact Montréal
River's Edge Community Church Montréal
The Journey Montréal
The Open Door Montréal
Westside Gathering Montréal

Saskatchewan

House of ROC Moose Jaw
Lakeland church Spiritwood
Worship Freehouse Saskatoon
Contact Ministries Saskatoon

Please email us new links (especially to fill in the provincial holes), subtract/alter old ones, and feel free to comment (but perhaps shy away from the less helpful 'well they shouldn't be there'...)

Événement à Montreal cette semaine

2006-01-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

Mark Scandrette, leader of reImagine will be in Montreal this weekend. He will be speaking and hanging out in a number of coffee shops, pubs, homes and churches. One of these will be Sunday evening (Jan 29) at a joint worship of four new churches: Agapé, Curieux, Emerge and Impact. It will take place at 5 pm in the St. James the Apostle Anglican church (1439 Ste-Catherine West, corner of Bishop's) For more information, or for other times this weekend to connect with Mark, contact David Brazzeal info @ curieux.ca or 514.971.3052

web update

2006-01-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know - this website is also 'in progress'. The atom/rss feed should now work (you may need to re-link or re-subscribe to Bloglines). Email us any of your additions to the sidebars (as well your written resources for an upcoming section...) Also we are looking to make the site bilingual very soon. General comments would also be appreciated.

Calling all writers

2006-01-21T02:50:00.000-08:00

As this website develops we would love to offer an online repository of articles (preferably .pdf files; if not then .rtf) relevant to the emerging/ missional church conversations, especially ideas are explored within the Canadian context. From the survey, dozens of you were willing to write for us, so here is your chance to dig around in the 'old-but-good' pile or produce something fresh for general consumption.

Obviously we should add a disclaimer such as 'we cannot guarantee when or if the work will be used, but we appreciate both your effort and patience in this'

You can email your files here.

emergent Canada Report

2006-01-20T22:39:00.000-08:00

So here it is: RTF or PDF version

Important Disclaimer: This report is a collation of facts and opinions, with the inclusion of points purely due to their higher frequency rather than rating highly on the absolute truth scale. So this means that on some questions, such as 'How does the Canadian context differ from that of emergent US' or 'how should emergent Canada (helpfully) differ from Resonate', the results are perceptions, not necessarily reality.

So we hope that the report proves to be beneficial to this particular journey. Please digest it, and feel free to comment on any aspect. But note that the most ill-advised (or un-advised) question was about fundraising. A little unnecessary. Let's shelve that.

The Journey so far

2006-01-20T20:58:00.000-08:00

The briefest (and most simplistic) of histories

In the last two decades, on both sides of the Atlantic, people began to notice that 'church as we know it' just was not cutting it any more. Brian McLaren's ‘A New Kind of Christian’ and ‘Church on the other side’ appeared on bookshelves, and Emergent Village US started making waves in North American Christian circles by suggesting that as society undergoes a slow paradigm shift, the church would do well to go with it. Some of the current talk surrounding Emergent US (and by assumed association the much wider emerging or missional church) suggests that rougher waters lie ahead, as criticism and reluctance to change mounts. Confusion appears to lie in mistaking the request for inclusive conversation on ecclesiological direction for a call to align oneself (or not) with a movement. It is thus helpful to remember how Emergent US defines itself: “Emergent is a growing generative friendship among missional Christian Leaders.”

What about Canada, eh?

Any one group or individual only has glimpses of the different expressions of emerging (or missional) church across Canada, as much of it is happening in coffee shops, blogs, art galleries, and other weird and wondeful places far away. However we can look to some key formational events: some national forums held in Alberta around the turn of the millenium, and a handful of other gatherings since (e.g. EFC). At the same time, the thoughts and writings of Canadian thinkers like the late Stan Grenz and Al Roxburgh (among others) were beginning and continue to impact us. More recently the set-up of the groundbreaking Resonate group in 2004 has sought and suceeded in connecting and engaging people in and around the fringe of the wider church. Blogs too numerous to mention also play a huge part in the conversation, and feed a growing group of people wrestling with a multitude of issues that have been off-limits in typical evangelical circles for ... well forever. Seminaries, umbrella groups (e.g. EFC), writers and artists, church leaders and church-disillusioned have all weighed into the conversation, set up gatherings. So as Christendom (and its inherent complancy?) ebbs away, more and more people will be asking questions about 'where next?'

Who are we, anyway?

We are pastors and developers from two interconnected ‘left-coast’ communities, The Place and Lambrick Park Church, that have been involved in the (sorry, an) emerging church conversation in Canada since the mid-90s. At our Shifting Realities gathering with Brian McLaren in 2003, which drew a few hundred mainly from BC, we had a chance to delve into Emergent’s emphases on conversation, spiritual formation, authentic community and missional direction. In the months after this, Brian suggested that we had the passion, experience and resources to start a ‘distinctly Canadian’ conversation, which may or may not look anything like what they are doing South of the border. Due to massive internal changes of people and philosophy at Lambrick things have been slow going – but we have been excited to see some respected Canadian friends form Resonate and look forward to working with them (and other national conversations like the Morph project). It has been said by a few people wiser than us, that a country (like Canada) should have at least 3 national conversations going on.

The first few steps

We have slowly grown a database of individuals, churches and organizations (350+ across Canada) that either are interested in the emerging church conversation or want to (or we hope they could be) involved somehow.
In a limited way, we have been connecting people regionally (as they find us through Emergent US)
We have sought to connect to and understand the approaches of other networks, to learn from their mistakes and experiences (in UK, US, Canada).
In Aug 2005, we sent out invitations to fill in a questionnaire (which admittedly is not very conversational) but did give us the chance to test the wider waters and ask some questions such as ' Is emergent canada actually needed?' 5 people from around the country volunteered to help in collating the responses and the results here.
On the back of the responses, we have decided to start emergent Canada. For now, we will keep the name, with its pros and cons. We are not a franchise or even a sister organization to Emergent US. We are just friends, and we respect Brian (among others), his attitude and wisdom. Also we will not be the only leaders of this group. At the moment we are instigators and facilitators, with an initial vision and desire to create something that serves the widest church. We will be looking to partner with existing groups and networks. We will strive for inclusivity. (This point makes me feel like I'm giving an election pitch...)