Liquid conference
Just caught the tail end of the Liquid Conference, run by Darren Rowse and co. Thanks to all the organisers and workshop leaders.
It seems like people had had a good day. I came in late, just as people were sharing stories of their new church experiences.
I must say, there were some heartening stories there, but I would have liked to have seen some older people there (and I'm regretting not publicising the event more among some of the `older and wiser' folk down at Port). As a result I do struggle with the whole aspect of `cool' in the so-called emerging church. What of the people separate from the `emerging church' loop who are parts of church communities who really do things quite differently and have for some time? Perhaps to them all our enthusiastic ideas are old hat. Are we getting tied up with semantics in our descriptions and conversations about the new and creative church scene?
Hmm....
It seems like people had had a good day. I came in late, just as people were sharing stories of their new church experiences.
I must say, there were some heartening stories there, but I would have liked to have seen some older people there (and I'm regretting not publicising the event more among some of the `older and wiser' folk down at Port). As a result I do struggle with the whole aspect of `cool' in the so-called emerging church. What of the people separate from the `emerging church' loop who are parts of church communities who really do things quite differently and have for some time? Perhaps to them all our enthusiastic ideas are old hat. Are we getting tied up with semantics in our descriptions and conversations about the new and creative church scene?
Hmm....
posted by Alex Wegman at 12:26
5 Comments:
The list of liquid blogs is here.
Hey Alex. Sorry I didn't get a chance to connect with you yesterday.
I need to preface what I am about to note here by saying that I was one of the organisers and therefore a little hurt by some of your comments.
We did allot of groundwork to get some older heads there. We invited people from many of the various denominations. We had quite a few apologies and some unanswered invitations as well. In terms of reference and support we had a few "older and wiser" heads (and I just have to make the quip about does old necessarily equal wise?), so I guess I feel a little miffed about the observation without the lack of investigation. But like I said, I did put a fair bit of my heart and soul into this so excuse my angst.
In terms of the whole "cool" thing, all I can say is I am sad you were not there earlier. The some very good conversations areound the issues of lifestyle packages, some hard reflection by some emerging church types on ourselves, challenging the "Jesus is my personal trainer, latte waiter" vibe that can go with the territory and what I thought were some very good observations on individualism and consummer culture were had. I suspect that it may have confirmed some of your concerns and perhaps have helped develop a dialogue with others sharing the same concerns, particularly those in the EC scene.
Would love to have a chat face to face when you have some time?
Hey Stephen
Thanks for your comments, and I'm sorry I was not able to make the whole conference, due to being at work (no acrimony meant here, that's just how it was). I would loved to have been there. I do question the practice of running the conference on a weekday during the day but assume you had your reasons.
I think I was a bit angry with myself for not plugging the conference more at my church where there are some older folk who are definitely in the progressive category. I also admit to some flippancy with my writing on my weblog in that instance.
I believe I read and enjoy enough of other people's (particularly from the UK but always looking for good local) blogs and articles to have some grasp on some of the issues being grappled with in the emerging church scene.
I'm sure older doesn't necessarily mean wiser, but, as someone with a lifelong connection to the Anglican church I've found an amazing number of oldies who have really stimulated and inspired me in seeking spirituality within a Christian context. I'm sorry you couldn't get more along to Liquid. For me the question is not so much about `why didn't they come to the conference?' as `are they being identified and encouraged and acknowledged on matters concerning emerging church?'.
For me, yarning with older people in church is a good antidote to my fairly lonely career in the industry surrounding media and entertainment.
There's a lot of cool stuff going on in inner city cafe church type stuff, I guess 'cos these people are into cool, cafes and coffee. But I don't think there's much cool (in a inner city/media portrayed type of cool way) churches meeting in people's homes in Noble Park with immigrants, Boronia or Ferntree Gully with single mums, or moving out to Hurstbridge to join a new age women's circle. Pretty gutsy though. And a bit lonely maybe. Or others that I met who live in a house they open to indigenous families whose kids are in hospital.
It would be great to have some wisdom from people who have been there before. And maybe they'd enjoy hearing about all the other stuff that's going on, that others are interested, and they're not alone.
I'm sure you'll invite these people along next time. It'll be great to have them in the loop so we can all learn from each other.
Unordered
www.wibsite.com/wiblog/unordered
Perhaps the focus should be on what is working, and what is not, rather than what is cool, etc. I certainly felt that this was more the focus of Liquid.
I was at Liquid, it was great hearing stories from other communities, and being affirmed in the work we are doing.
andy P
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