We’re living in a world… and a new world demands a new Church.
It doesn’t take much to notice that the world we’re living in has changed dramatically over the past few years. 9/11, our nation’s economy, advances in technology, the emergence of social networks, the globalization of the world and the heightened awareness of human need around the world has come to a crucial tipping point… things need to change.
The old systems and old means that the Church has depended on for years is showing its fractures and an entire generation is now growing tired of a church that is focused more on itself and less on the needs in its community and around the world.
The next generation of church leaders is moved by key issues of human need: poverty, HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, injustice, diversity, race, etc. They are also concerned about fundamental issues facing the church: consumerism, relativism, postmodernity, and the proclimation of the Gospel.
While the message and truth of the Gospel is unchanging, the means and methods in which we communicate and demonstrate it need to change. Oftentimes, though, the conversation surrounding the change that needs to happen can be tricky to navigate.
Well, I’m stoked to say that there’s an awesome conversation about all of these issues that’s going to be taking place in 12 key cities around the US in one-day events called the Conversation Gatherings. The Conversation Gatherings are sponsored by Lausanne, which is hosting The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in South Africa this October.
The Conversation Gatherings will bring together some of the church’s best thinkers and leaders for a conversation about the future. The Conversations will feature a diverse group of panelists, from those who have faithfully led in the past and those who are innovating new ideas and applications.
Park is hosting the Chicago Conversation Gathering on Wednesday, March 17 starting at 6:30 PM. Guests include:
- Andy Crouch – editor of Christianity Today International and Culture Making
- Skye Jethani - managing editor of Leadership Journal and author of The Divine Commodity
- Peter Furler – musician and former lead singer of the Newsboys
- Bethany Hoang – Director of the International Justice Mission Institute
- Peter Cha – associate professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
- Os Guiness – author
- and will be moderated by Jackson Crum, Park’s Lead Pastor
As someone who is involved in thinking through how the church is communicating and innovating to reach emerging generations, I couldn’t be more excited about this conversation and am excited to be a part.
Two key people in the Conversation Gatherings are Andy Crouch and Skye Jethani.
Andy Crouch’s book Culture Making was one of my top 5 reads of last year. In it, he challenges the way we, as the Church approach culture… he says, “It is not enough to condemn culture. Nor is it sufficient merely to critique culture or to copy culture. Most of the time, we just consume culture. But the only way to change culture is to create culture.”
Another of the top 5 was Skye Jethani’s The Divine Commodity. I first heard Skye share at Story and then picked up the book. Woah…that’s all I have to say. It’s an important message, especially to those of us who are out trying to live and create in a world [and church] that is motivated by consumerism. It exposes how consumerism has distorted different elements of our faith and challenges us to have our imaginations captivated by Christ.
If you can make it to Chicago for the Conversation Gathering, get here… if you can’t check out www.12cities12conversations.com to learn about other gatherings or follow them @12Conversations.
In the meantime, I’m going to give away two sets of Culture Making and The Divine Commodity.
Here’s How to Win:
- Tweet This: I just entered to win free books from @12Conversations! Comment here and RT to enter: http://bit.ly/bSwKIV
- Comment Below: With your Twitter handle [so I can verify you did step 1] and the issue you think the church needs to talk about the most.
- Check back at 5 PM CST Wednesday: I’ll randomly choose two people to win!
Congrats to @greg__ferrell and @stgoebel2, you’re the winners!
