imagining how the church can reorient around mission

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The Christian Associates 2010 Global Connect is over now. It
was a remarkable time with many, many highlights. read more

 Before I say anything about movement, let me just say that
the weather in Germany is abysmal. It has rained every day that I’ve been here,
and the forecast is grim. The last days of my summer may be spent under gray
skies and wearing jackets. For someone who’s a “fair-weather player” that is
not good news. Nonetheless, I’m making the best of it and am meeting some
wonderful new friends. The Christian Associates world is a fantastic one, and
I’m glad to be a part of.

As I mentioned in one of my last blogs Living into Movement – Pt 1 , I’d like to address
the idea of movement from a biblical perspective. Jesus sent his followers into
the world with certain aspects or charges to guide them. One of those charges
came in John 20. This is post-resurrection. In other words, Christ had been crucified
and rose from the dead, but  at
that time, his followers were unaware that he was alive. They had cloistered
away in fear and trepidation that they would be the next to incur punishment as
a result of following this rebel, the crazy revolutionary. Perhaps they were
concerned that they would be found “guilty by association.” Regardless, he
comes in to their presence and he tells them “peace.” Shalom. He realizes their
fear and their uncertainty and tells them “peace be with you.” And then he says
something that is very important for the church today, “As the Father has sent
me, so I am sending you.” read more

Such a great week with Christian Associates at their Global Connect gathering. I cant believe they put up with me speaking so many times. What incredible perseverance! Rogier Bos of Next Wave fame was on hand to take some photos like this one.Here's part of my Monday evening talk. The other part included a Bible reading with a Sigur Ros video.

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via www.flickr.com

Here is Andrew Jones “The Tall Skinny Kiwi” speaking at CA’s Connect in Kirhheim, Germany. He talked about how we can perhaps do more out of our need missionally then if we have all the resources. Embedding in context with our fragility, vulnerability and dependence is a more appropriate posture for mission than one of abundance and strategy. read more

"If the Church is to be missional rather than institutional, we must begin with a clear understanding of what that mission is….Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, the Lord of the Church. Christ cast the only ballot that counts. Since Jesus Christ is the owner of his Church and thus all of its local expressions, we do not get to dream up the mission for our congregation."
Winning on Purpose by John Edmund Kaiser

As I said a few posts ago, I will be talking about the idea
of “Movement” over the next few weeks. I’m speaking about this topic at our
CONNECT conference in Germany.

There’s lots of conversation about movement these days. Most
of it has to do with creating “a Movement.” As I’ve heard people say this kind
of thing, I have to admit, I’ve been a bit uneasy. I’m not certain that we
create Movement all. I think we more or less live into movement. Movement
originates and is sustained by God alone. read more