Peace and blessings to all in the Name of Jesus Christ,
My apologies for the lack of updates, as life has been abundantly full with school and an internship. To keep everyone informed, I am working on an internet ministry outreach as part of my thesis in education and divinity, which I hope to incorporate the current theological discussions from the Emergent Church. I am working on a website, www.churchintheround.org, as part of this outreach to help promote online internet meetings as opposed to face-to-face requirements. Feel free to check it out and provide input. Hopefully, as schedules slow down after this semester, we may actually be able to schedule an online meeting.
"The definition of being rich in Christ does not meaning having the most, but needing the least."
---- a quote I heard in church this weekend.
Let us all be content with what we have and remember God supplies all that we need.
Regards,
Brett
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Meeting Suggestions and Changes
Peace and grace to all,
Since my last post, I have been doing some thinking (which is always dangerous), balancing it with some reading (which is beneficial), and asking for input (which is wisdom). In an attempt to promote dialogue in the area, and perhaps open the door to more participation, what are your suggestions about getting together over the internet? While there has been a fair amount of interest in meeting, scheduling and distance problems seem to be a limiting factor. Instead of having a face-to-face meeting on the 25th, perhaps we can schedule an internet meeting via one of the chat rooms, Skype, instant messengers, and/or video conferencing?
Also, I am reading R. Scott Smith's Truth & The New Kind of Christian: The Emerging Effects of Postmodernism in the Church (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005) and have corresponded with Scott via e-mail. I would like to suggest this as a topic and invite him into the dialogue.
This may even provide an opportunity to include the other cohorts in Virginia and establish a state-wide dialogue .... What do you think?
Regards,
Brett
Since my last post, I have been doing some thinking (which is always dangerous), balancing it with some reading (which is beneficial), and asking for input (which is wisdom). In an attempt to promote dialogue in the area, and perhaps open the door to more participation, what are your suggestions about getting together over the internet? While there has been a fair amount of interest in meeting, scheduling and distance problems seem to be a limiting factor. Instead of having a face-to-face meeting on the 25th, perhaps we can schedule an internet meeting via one of the chat rooms, Skype, instant messengers, and/or video conferencing?
Also, I am reading R. Scott Smith's Truth & The New Kind of Christian: The Emerging Effects of Postmodernism in the Church (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005) and have corresponded with Scott via e-mail. I would like to suggest this as a topic and invite him into the dialogue.
This may even provide an opportunity to include the other cohorts in Virginia and establish a state-wide dialogue .... What do you think?
Regards,
Brett
Thursday, July 12, 2007
July 12 Note
Greetings to all,
If you subscribe to the Emergent Village web updates, I have posted a comment to a review at http://www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/6-reasons-not-to-quit. In posting the comment, I had to do some soul-searching. There is a lost generation and culture of today's postmodern seekers and believers that are crying for authenticity in relationships and dialogue. We (disciples of Jesus Christ) must begin to be more open in our fears and doubts, our life and our testimony. Until we do so, others who are hurting in God's Kingdom will remain bound by fear of rejection, fear of "if you only knew". If the Emergent Village is to be a global community of Light, Love, and Spirit through the common bond of Jesus Christ, then it is time for us to step up to the plate and be equally honest. Over the next few weeks, as I finish up this semester in graduate school, and complete term papers on spiritual formation, values, testimony, and more, I hope to share all of this with you in an attempt to seek authenticity to promote new and dynamic ways sharing testimony. Additionally, I am removing the "moderation and approval" requirement for comments to allow this to be an authentic site, so please use kindness, discretion, and wisdom when making posts. If you wish to keep your information non-published, then please send an e-mail using the e-mail link and not response link. If anyone cares to share this journey and become pioneers in today's world, let us become instruments of peace and not division, seek unity and divisiveness.
Peace and grace to you all as we strive to worship God and serve as Christ and become one in the Spirit.
Brett
Life Coach
If you subscribe to the Emergent Village web updates, I have posted a comment to a review at http://www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/6-reasons-not-to-quit. In posting the comment, I had to do some soul-searching. There is a lost generation and culture of today's postmodern seekers and believers that are crying for authenticity in relationships and dialogue. We (disciples of Jesus Christ) must begin to be more open in our fears and doubts, our life and our testimony. Until we do so, others who are hurting in God's Kingdom will remain bound by fear of rejection, fear of "if you only knew". If the Emergent Village is to be a global community of Light, Love, and Spirit through the common bond of Jesus Christ, then it is time for us to step up to the plate and be equally honest. Over the next few weeks, as I finish up this semester in graduate school, and complete term papers on spiritual formation, values, testimony, and more, I hope to share all of this with you in an attempt to seek authenticity to promote new and dynamic ways sharing testimony. Additionally, I am removing the "moderation and approval" requirement for comments to allow this to be an authentic site, so please use kindness, discretion, and wisdom when making posts. If you wish to keep your information non-published, then please send an e-mail using the e-mail link and not response link. If anyone cares to share this journey and become pioneers in today's world, let us become instruments of peace and not division, seek unity and divisiveness.
Peace and grace to you all as we strive to worship God and serve as Christ and become one in the Spirit.
Brett
Life Coach
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
July Cohort Meeting
The July Cohort Meeting is tentatively scheduled for 7:30 PM, July 25, 2007 at Tidewater United Church of Christ in Virginia Beach, VA off of West Neck Road near the Virginia Beach court house. Let's get together and meet each other as more people have been sending e-mails through the blog looking for a gathering. Bring open minds, open-hearts, and let's have some great conversation and a focus on where we want to go in the "Emergent Village".
Peace and blessings to all,
Brett
Peace and blessings to all,
Brett
Monday, May 28, 2007
May 28 2007
Peace to all,
Thanks to those that have e-mailed. For anyone interested, let's have a meet and greet for the tidewater area this coming Saturday morning, June 2, 2007 at 10:00 at the Starbuck's on Independence Blvd near Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. If we have enough people, we can go over to the Golden Corral for the weekend breakfast buffet.
Thanks to those that have e-mailed. For anyone interested, let's have a meet and greet for the tidewater area this coming Saturday morning, June 2, 2007 at 10:00 at the Starbuck's on Independence Blvd near Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. If we have enough people, we can go over to the Golden Corral for the weekend breakfast buffet.
Monday, April 30, 2007
May 2007 Update
Greetings Everyone,
To date, we have had several responses through both the e-mail link and the blog. There have been some blog postings that had personal contact information, and in an effort to minimize spam, etc., I choose not to post them on the blog. If you wish for any contact information to be included when you post to the blog, please indicate so in the post; otherwise, use the e-mail link at the bottom of the home page for inquiry.
Due to the storm that passed through my area at the same time I was to travel to the Philadelphia conference, I opted not to attend. I've already had the "pleasure" of driving one car through a flooded area and decided to learn from that experience. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I opted for sanity and as my father said, that is the difference between knowledge and wisdom. I have updated the suggestions list with some ideas from other contributors and hope to organize a cohort meeting the month of May.
In the meantime, chapter 1 of McLaren's book, A Generous Orthodoxy, talks about the different faces of Jesus he has come to know along his journey. I know from my personal experience, I have had similar perceptions at differing points in my life. While none are contradictory, how do we recognize and represent the fullness of the many aspects of Christ in our daily lives? How do we reconcile ourselves with some of the contradictions between head religion and heart religion in a manner consistent with our differing orthodox belief systems and the message of Christ? What is the message of Christ? The saying "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words," was attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. How do we "preach" the gospel and whose version of the gospel is any "more correct" then another persons? McLaren poses a series of nine questions on the many faces of Christ, perhaps this is a good starting point for our dialogue.
Anyway, peace to all and I look forward to establishing our first meeting.
Brett
To date, we have had several responses through both the e-mail link and the blog. There have been some blog postings that had personal contact information, and in an effort to minimize spam, etc., I choose not to post them on the blog. If you wish for any contact information to be included when you post to the blog, please indicate so in the post; otherwise, use the e-mail link at the bottom of the home page for inquiry.
Due to the storm that passed through my area at the same time I was to travel to the Philadelphia conference, I opted not to attend. I've already had the "pleasure" of driving one car through a flooded area and decided to learn from that experience. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I opted for sanity and as my father said, that is the difference between knowledge and wisdom. I have updated the suggestions list with some ideas from other contributors and hope to organize a cohort meeting the month of May.
In the meantime, chapter 1 of McLaren's book, A Generous Orthodoxy, talks about the different faces of Jesus he has come to know along his journey. I know from my personal experience, I have had similar perceptions at differing points in my life. While none are contradictory, how do we recognize and represent the fullness of the many aspects of Christ in our daily lives? How do we reconcile ourselves with some of the contradictions between head religion and heart religion in a manner consistent with our differing orthodox belief systems and the message of Christ? What is the message of Christ? The saying "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words," was attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. How do we "preach" the gospel and whose version of the gospel is any "more correct" then another persons? McLaren poses a series of nine questions on the many faces of Christ, perhaps this is a good starting point for our dialogue.
Anyway, peace to all and I look forward to establishing our first meeting.
Brett
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
April 2007 Update
Greetings everyone. Thanks to all from across the state for quickly coming together to start the process in Virginia. To date, "P. Scott" has set up a state blog at "Emergent Virginia (http://www.emergentva.blogspot.com/)" as well as one for the central region. To my knowledge, cohorts for the southwestern and northern parts of the state are in process of formation as well.
Also, currently, this blog is setup as a moderated forum to review, not edit, posts prior to their publication on the site. I set this up with the intent to help promote integrity. When we meet, we can come together on the finer points of organization and posting. With moderated comments, all that means is that an e-mail is sent to the administrators who must release the comment for publication on the blog. Again, this is not an editing function, merely a posting function.
One more point, I noticed on the cohort map, that there was an address listed for the SE Cohort that I do not know where it came from as no meeting place has been suggested or selected. I have e-mailed the cohort point of contact to obtain more information.
I plan on attending the 2007 Emergent Theological Conversation near Philadelphia this next week from the 16-18th and hope to post some insightful information to the blog upon my return. I look forward to meeting with some of you there. Perhaps we can arrange for a local meeting for the SE Cohort after the "conversation".
Peace and grace,
Brett
Also, currently, this blog is setup as a moderated forum to review, not edit, posts prior to their publication on the site. I set this up with the intent to help promote integrity. When we meet, we can come together on the finer points of organization and posting. With moderated comments, all that means is that an e-mail is sent to the administrators who must release the comment for publication on the blog. Again, this is not an editing function, merely a posting function.
One more point, I noticed on the cohort map, that there was an address listed for the SE Cohort that I do not know where it came from as no meeting place has been suggested or selected. I have e-mailed the cohort point of contact to obtain more information.
I plan on attending the 2007 Emergent Theological Conversation near Philadelphia this next week from the 16-18th and hope to post some insightful information to the blog upon my return. I look forward to meeting with some of you there. Perhaps we can arrange for a local meeting for the SE Cohort after the "conversation".
Peace and grace,
Brett
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