Society of Vineyard Theologians

So check out this cool development. A pet peeve of mine has always been that there is not enough scholarship that expresses a vineyard view of theology (my view). Just try to find a commentary that expresses a kingdom theology, or a view of the Holy Spirit is actually ngaged in the world. Here is an opportunity to expand that....

Vineyard USA is launching a new initiative, the Society of Vineyard Scholars (SVS).

THIS IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT...
We are gathering the thinkers and scholars of our movement to “think theologically” in community—both in order to address the critical questions of the moment and to put down theological and intellectual roots for the long haul. Our expectation is that doing this well involves building a diverse, interconnected community of scholars, pastors, and scholar-pastors within our movement.

Ultimately, our desire is both to deepen our theological reflection and to broaden our engagement with our culture. Towards these ends, we anticipate holding conferences and other events to provide forums for collaborating and sharing intellectual work as well as pursuing other ways of facilitating connections among current Vineyard seminarians, graduate students, and scholars.
If you are interested in receiving communication about SVS please click on the "Interested in SVS" button to the right, and fill out the information so we can get to know more about you.

A CALL FOR PAPERS
“The Theology and Practice of the Kingdom of God: Justice, Power and the Cross”
All in the Vineyard who hold or who are working on a graduate degree and enjoy thinking theologically about your discipline are invited and encouraged to submit a paper for the first annual Society of Vineyard Scholars (SVS) Conference. The theme of the conference is “The Theology and Practice of the Kingdom of God: Justice, Power, and the Cross.” It will be held Thursday evening through Saturday morning, October 22-24, in Columbus, OH. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Ron Sider, Professor at Palmer Theological Seminary and President of Evangelicals for Social Action. The opening address Thursday evening will be delivered by Dr. Don Williams on “The Past, Present, and Future of the Kingdom of God in the Vineyard Movement.”

Three panel sessions on Friday will feature presentations of and responses to papers written by SVS participants, focusing on some aspect of the conference’s larger theme. Papers should be in one of the following areas, broadly defined: Bible, Theology, Ethics, and History, as they relate to the theme of the conference. For these sessions, we will select a maximum of nine papers of no more than 12 pages in length. Completed papers, including titles and abstracts, will be due August 1, 2009. Submissions should be emailed to Carol.Shelton@vineyardcolumbus.org. Those who submit will be notified of the acceptance status of their papers by August 30, 2009.

Ancient Wisdom—Anglican Futures an emerging conversation at Trinity June 4-6, 2009

To all my anglican buds.

here is a conference hosted by Jason Clark

and for Anglicans, reimagining the church, for an emergent and younger generation.. There was a great host of teachers, including my very own Dr. Sumner from Wycliffe.

They set up a blog for the event here check it out to see what was said.
http://ancientwisdomanglicanfutures.blogspot.com/

cheers

witchraft and idolatry

I was just listening to mark Driscoll sermon on Galatians. He gave a healthy reminder of what each of these are.

Idolatry- having a substitute for God, or THINKING GOD IS LESS THAN HE SAYS HE IS. (that is the thing that struck me......how many times do i do this?)

Witchcraft- incantations we make towards God to get HIM/Her to do what we want. Another way to put it is....doing something to get a good result from God. EG. praying harder, fasting for God to answer us, doing good so we are in God's good books- these are all more or less.....witchcraft.

check out more of mark at

www.marshillchurch.org

The garden

I love olive trees. They are so old and gnarly. They are a picture of something that grows well-in an orchard. An orchard is a managed space, not a wild one, or a free market to use an economic term. In fact olive trees will grow for 1000's of years. Not many things seem to grow well on their own. Most things, like you and I, need pruning (amongst other things). Pruning makes us like plants, send roots down deeper, spurs growth in healthy directions, creates opportunity for more fruit, and produces more consistent fruit production.

What happens when we are not pruned? Well, we grow in unhealthy directions, fruitless directions, we tend to be full of leaves and only have a little fruit. Ever felt like you had a lot of stuff going on and not much to show for it? Not pruning also produces one other ill effect that few consider. A garden that is left to itself, that is unmanaged usually grows to the detriment of something else. Some other plant will get squeezed out. An unchecked garden is a place only the strong survive. Ultimately we need to be pruned for the sake of others. Our ministries, our pride, our productivity left unchecked will squeeze the life out of other plants, other good things. Things that are still small, tender and undeveloped may not develop because they are not in an environment where they can thrive.

Think about our economy, our lifestyles, do we think we can grow, consume and have and not hurt, not crowd others around us? Our pruning is ultimately for the good of others, so that others can grow.

For me this revelation is hitting home as I consider my role as a pastor, and leader. In helping people live with one another. In creating a place for people to grow, pruning is one of the most important things I can encourage, because if I don't the plants in the garden will compete, fruit will decrease, and only the strong will survive.

cheers

Prince of Peace

Yesterday I spoke about Isaiah 9.6

It says, that the Messiah would be known as a Prince of Peace. I asked the question, "if that is true, shouldn't we be able to see it?'

This video captures photos from some amazing photographers who have taken photographs in the world's darkest times, and darkest places.

CAN YOU SEE PEACE IN THEM?

advent ideas

So I have been searching for creative things about advent. ADVENT- You know that strange word for the 40 days before Christmas. It means, something....

In Latin, it actually means 'the coming' or 'before the coming'...it is the time we sit in darkness before....the BABY. (A little reminiscent of my life this year).

I actually like it just about as much as lent. I think it is probably the most important thing for us as Christians to remember and celebrate. Darkness, Longing, Hope, Despair, WAITING.....

Proost....a creative uk group has several things to engage churches. Including a snazzy litl' video I want to show at church.

Marshill has their congregation doing a community blog...

My personal favorites are still posts by Jonny Baker. Jonny just finished beer and carols....(man I can't believe I haven't met this guy). Search his links for advent...worship tricks 48-51

Jonny also lists some awesome ideas from Cheryl Lawrie, 'the pregnant pause' an idea that i stole.....with love. Cheryl has some advent services that are very creative and thoughtful.

If it takes all your faith to simply survive advent,join your prayer to those

throughout timeand throughout the worldwho despair at hope’s promise.
Take a baby,hold it in your hand
make your prayer of protestor your prayer for peace.

If you are looking for a video cause that is your thing, the church of england has put together a series of meditations you can watch every day......its called why we are waiting. It is also a great explanation of advent.

My Advent Addition: Last week I bought the youth candles. We had been talking about the word 'saved'. I made the connection between knowing you need something and WAITING. I told them to remember their need as they waited for a savior....in the dark....as they studied. Burn the little, fragile light and LONG FOR, and WAIT FOR IT.

A little humour

If you have never checked out Dave Hayward, he is worth it both on the web and in life. I love this, it just reminds me that God is interested in presenting me perfect. Asking for His help is asking for my life to change.

Deep Wisdom

So Kate and I had a quote competition. The synthesis of all the deep thinking what we have been having.

Rob, "Fear is the long shadow of a small enemy."

Kate, "Any donut shop that doesn't have toasted coconut donuts should not call itself a donut shop."

I as usual lose.....I should write about the time she brought up Veggie Tales in the middle of a theological debate at school and actually ended up with a higher mark than me.


She has a gift.