Companions,
I've been writing a good bit during this past year about a significant point of convergence between the current emerging missional phenomenon and early Methodism... that both represent a networked, rather than a congregational-centric much less denominational-centric, approach to embodying Christian community and mission. When Wesley spoke of "the connexion" he wasn't talking about general agencies, districts, and bishops. He was really talking about the far more decentralized and "networky" structures and relationships formed in the Methodist movement he was helping to lead. Those INCLUDED congregations, and to that degree the denominational structures (if you could quite call them that in the 18th century) to which they were connected, but were neither defined nor limited by them.
So tonight I came across a link (from, of all places, the Evangelism officer of The Episcopal Church!) to something called the Cluetrain Manifesto-- which essentially is the 95 Theses of the network vision.
Here are a few excerpts:
In just a few more years, the current homogenized "voice" of business—the sound of mission statements and brochures—will seem as contrived and artificial as the language of the 18th century French court.
Already, companies that speak in the language of the pitch, the dog-and-pony show, are no longer speaking to anyone.
We are immune to advertising. Just forget it.
If you want us to talk to you, tell us something. Make it something interesting for a change.
We've got some ideas for you too: some new tools we need, some better service. Stuff we'd be willing to pay for. Got a minute?
Read it and think about the connections you see for what the shape of Christian missional community can be now... or can be again... for the people called Methodist... starting where YOU are!
Peace in Christ,
Taylor Burton-Edwards
Companions,
I'm putting together a presentation for the Christian Educators Fellowship entitled "Worship, Education and Mission in the Emerging Missional Church." I've had a few examples of how "Christian Education" works from a few of you for the past couple of years, and I'm looking for more.
So... what is your congregation or faith community doing that you might call (or others might or might not call!) Christian Education?
And... for bonus points! What do you think you SHOULD be doing and calling Christian Education (if anything-- that is, if you think the term itself is problematic, and what would you propose to replace that term)--
And for even more bonus points-- what steps are you taking to get from where you are to where you think you should be?
Peace in Christ,
Taylor Burton-Edwards
Companions,
Today I can announce that after over a year of preparation, writing, feedback from scholars and leaders from many denominations, and lots of tweaking, I can announce (and show you!) the beginnings of the fruit of the Open Source Liturgy Project: 4 "Frozen" Cores now openly released.
I know that "frozen" may sound ominous. In the world of open source software, however, it's great news. It means that what has been developed has been tested and debugged and finalized enough to be considered reliable for use. It also means that any future changes to these are more likely to be editorial (saying the same things better or formatting them for easier use) rather than substantive. The Cores are like the kernel in Linux-- once they're finalized, you don't mess with them much. That way developers can know what they're working with and don't have to worry that changes in the Core could make their work incompatible or obsolete anytime soon.
What's in this "code release"? The basic guidelines for developing new ritual texts for baptism, Holy Communion, marriage, and services of death and resurrection (the latter two presuming primarily Christian participation). Still under development are two additional cores-- for marriage and services of death and resurrection when the persons involved may not profess the Christian faith. "Code freeze" date for those is October 15.
As with everything we'll produce in this project, the Cores are covered under a Creative Commons License (currently version 3.0) that allows for them to be copied and shared freely, but does not allow for them to be sold or altered without written permission.
Where can you see what's been done?
Right HERE.
The link takes you to the Release Candidates page of the Open Source Liturgy Project Wiki-- where resources developed in the project will be placed after they've undergone two rounds of testing, feedback and revision (core compatibility and field testing). You'll see the four categories for the cores down the left center of the page. Click on a category, then click on the name of the core document that comes up in the long rectangular box labeled Objects to the right and center.
It's a good beginning. I'm grateful for your ongoing prayers, support, feedback and participation along the way.
Peace in Christ,
Taylor Burton-Edwards
I can hear the cries from some folks already...
CATEGORY ERROR! CATEGORY ERROR!
How can charge conference forms-- the bane of the bane of administrivia in the life of local congregations-- help us become more intentionally missional, or even Methodist for that matter?
What if... just what if... those forms included questions like these that follow. And what if, just what if, these became the basis for actual conversations, and maybe even action, not just more data collection for the conference journal or some later statistician's report?
Look these over... see what would be helpful, what less helpful. This is trying to get at real evaluation based on what's already in the Discipline (the paragraph numbers are cited in parentheses throughout)-- which, if carefully attended to, COULD, actually (I think) help us begin to move Methodism and Missional from side conversations into the mainstream of conversations in local congregations.
What think ye?
Peace in Christ,
Taylor Burton-Edwards
II. Reports:
Make the first report a set of responses to questions about membership and mission, based on paragraphs 216-221 (2004 Book of Discipline) such as:
1. How is your congregation making possible “a comprehensive and life-long process of growing in grace?” (216)
2. How many children and infants (with their families) have been instructed and nurtured in the meaning of faith, the rights and responsibilities of their baptisms, and spiritual formation using materials approved by The United Methodist Church?
3. How many youth have committed themselves to discipleship and been confirmed using the services of the Baptismal Covenant? How has the pastor been specifically involved in this process? (216.1.b, 216.2.a)
4.
a) How has the congregation, with the support of the pastor, instructed youth and adults not yet baptized in the meaning of the Christian faith and the history, organization and teachings of the United Methodist Church using materials approved by the United Methodist Church?
b) How many of these who have received such instruction by the congregation have been baptized, confirmed, and received into the Church during the past year?
5. How has the congregation formed all its members in the baptismal covenant and the call to ministry in daily life? (216.2.a)
6. How has the congregation provided for the preparation of ALL people, including adults, for profession of faith and confirmation?
7. How has the congregation ensured that its professing members are participating in all the means of grace, including private and public prayer, worship, the sacraments, study, Christian action, systematic giving, and holy discipline? (218)
8. How has your congregation equipped its members to watch over one another in love and to confront conflict with a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation? (219)
9. How has your congregation ensured that all members fulfill their obligation to participate in disciplined groups that help them live out God’s mission in every context in which they find themselves on a daily basis? (220)
10. How are the Social Principles used as an essential resource to guide every member in being a servant of Christ on mission? (220)
11. How are all members being held accountable to the covenant of baptism? (221.1)
12. How many members have been restored to accountable living of the covenant of baptism through the means described in Paragraph 221.2-5?
Second Set of Reports: The General Rules and Missional Impact
1) What measures are in place to show that persons who participate in spiritual formation activities are growing in holiness: loving God and neighbor, transforming natural tempers into holy tempers?
2) How is your community different because people in your congregation and your congregation as a community are living the Second General Rule: Doing good to all, and especially to the poor, the marginalized, and persons in prison?
3) How is your congregation doing good to the earth and all of God’s creatures by the way it functions corporately? How is the congregation helping people to live as faithful stewards of the earth and its resources individually?
Wherever the pastor’s report falls, include the following as the essential questions to be answered:
1) How is the pastor helping the congregation live out its mission and the mission of The United Methodist Church?
2) What are the plans for continuing education for the congregation, pastor and staff to live out its mission in its local context and the mission of The United Methodist Church?
Questions about Vocations should include the following as PRIMARY:
1) Who and how many people in the congregation have been helped to claim their vocation in Christ in their ministries in daily life during the past year?
2) What new ministries have been started in the community or through the congregation as a result of these efforts?
3) What is the fruit?
Pastor’s Form:
Should focus much more on the MEANING of MEMBERSHIP questions (paragraph 216-221) than on the CATEGORIES of MEMBERSHIP questions listed here.
Companions,
I just learned about a fairly new (apparently a few months old) website/gathering place for younger clergy in the UMC.
The site includes 7 videos with interviews with younger clergy who attended General Conference, many as delegates.
They have important things to say.
And there's a Facebook group as well...
Perhaps the most important of these videos for our purposes here is what Adam Hamilton has to say about the heritage of our Wesleyan theology-- which he says has always been missional and postmodern (which would be at least half right!)-- but that the challenge is that the structures that currently embody that theology don't actually match what the theology says-- though they could.
One of our more active reader/participants here-- Andrew Conard (who will also be one of the Open Source Liturgy Developers-- thanks and welcome, Andrew!)-- shows up in several of the videos as well.
So... watch the videos, see what these younger clergy (and others)have to say-- and let's continue the conversation here about where the issues facing younger clergy in the UMC and our shared passion for the emerging missional way may synergize each other.
Peace in Christ,
Taylor Burton-Edwards
