New Learning Experience…
February 21st, 2007
I am really excited about a new learning experience that we are launching this spring at Sonlife called, Shaping a Missional Community. In short, this experience is a three-day, in-depth and interactive time of helping each other create and design transformational youth ministry environments built around the practices of the early church. You can learn more about it at: http://www.sonlife.com/pathways/shaping.asp
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to facilitate this experience in or near these four cities — Dallas, Indianapolis, Edmonton AB and Chicago. You can get the dates here:
http://www.sonlife.com/registration/index.asp?pEvent=20
I will be honest. There is an internal tension with promoting what Sonlife is doing on this blog. The last thing I want is for this to become a Sonlife billboard. However, this is one of those things that I feel can strongly enhance our ability to collectively move towards a new kind of youth ministry. The Shaping a Missional Community experience can help us as we critically assess our ministries and selectively incorporate new ideas and practices to make disciples.
I would love to interact with you about this. Feel free to connect with me at chrisfol@mac.com with any questions, thoughts, etc…
February 21st, 2007 at 12:56 pm
chris — i struggle with the same tension on my blog (whether or not to “promote” ys stuff). but i’ve come to think that i need to not be driven by what people will or will not assume (or how they’ll react) about ys stuff on my blog. if they think it’s too ys-promo, that’s their issue: i’m going to blog about whatever i’m passionate about, whether it’s ys or not. i’d encourage you to do the same. you and i aren’t part of our organizations just to have a job, or to convince youth workers to give us money: we do this because we’re convinced the orgs we work for can have an impact on the kingdom of god through youth workers.
February 21st, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Sonlife in its growing a healthy church training, began to show me the missional way, long before there was a term like that.
I pray you also develop a church seminar covering the same topic.
Its much needed!
February 21st, 2007 at 5:03 pm
marko- that is a good word! thanks bro.
February 21st, 2007 at 5:05 pm
jerry-
glad sonlife was able to help you in years past! as you know, it is not about terms — and not really even topics– so much as it is about being able to connect with and serve the church in today’s context…
February 21st, 2007 at 9:34 pm
chris …
like you and marko, i often find myself in the same situation with the prayer movement I work with. do i promote or not and, if so, when??
i’ve decided that there are two reasons why i’ll promote our own stuff: if i’m personally involved in it (like a workshop or conference begin offered) or it is key in further explaining a concept i’m discussing on my blog.
that all said, i’m very interested in what you guys are working with in this missional workshop. i’d love to interact with you on it a bit.
peace,
::dan::
February 21st, 2007 at 9:39 pm
dan- thanks for sharing your “guidlines” for promtoting your movement’s stuff… it is helpful.
let’s be sure to interact on the missional stuff. email me at chrisfol@mac.com. i look forward to it!
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:09 am
Chris,
I am anxious to get into this stuff. Thanks for talking about it here because it greatly impacts the whole A New Kind of Youth Ministry area. Thanks for your honesty and for your wisdom.
Phil
February 24th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Phil- I hope to see you at one of the experiences!