Healing for the Nations
It's good to be back in Dallas, though I had a good time in Indianapolis. It doesn't get said enough, but thank you to the General Assembly team for its hard work planning and implementing the big Disciple family gathering. I know it was not easy.
Conversation continues from the assembly. You can find some of it at the new DisciplesWorld social networking site - disciplesworld.ning.com. I've seen and heard complaints about there being too much conservative theology and too much liberal theology. You can't please everyone.
I am just always encouraged to be around colleagues and friends and to see people come up with helpful spirits. I remember one pastor coming up to the NAPAD booth, offering her church as a nesting location for a new church start. I had some great conversation about evangelism, especially to multicultural neighborhoods, with an accomplished Church Extension staff member. I learned about environmental issues in a slightly different but very practical way. And I just feasted on positive energy overall.
God is good.
There are always things that can be improved at a General Assembly, but I admit I get a little tired of all the nitpicking that goes on. And hey, let me confess that I've done my fair share. It's hard work being church in a world of cynicism. I'm going to turn off my own cynicism and just focus on loving folks and seeking God's voice... for a while at least.
From the General Assembly in Ft. Worth
I am here in Fort Worth, and yes, it's hot. It's so hot that it makes you rethink life, in a way. We stay huddled in air conditioning, like life wouldn't exist without it. I was reflecting on how when I grew up, our cars didn't always have air conditioning. And yet, we survived... but now, it's like if the air conditioning is out, life comes to a halt. We are too pampered.
The State of the Church address was tonight, and it was filled with a surprising amount of optimism and celebration for all that we have done as Disciples. Sharon Watkins declared that our death was "greatly exaggerated." She pointed to the way we have poured out through mission trips and assistance to all those areas hit by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. She pointed out the over 500 new churches we have added to our ranks and to the fact that 80% of them are ethnic. We are again sending missionaries abroad to work with communities at their critical moments. Are we slowly turning outward again?
Wow - it's good to see the positives resurfacing. There are a lot of people here, and it's good to see new and old friends. My wife is having a good time meeting the folks at NAPAD, and we are finding that the days go by too fast.
I'll have more about the emerging church stuff later.
Twitter: nathanjhill
- Mount Righteous from Grapevine, TX is a great band.
- RT @zoecarnate It looks like Derek Webb is giving away his controversial Stockholm Syndrome album - go Derek! Go free! http://bit.ly/94ET6j
- Streaming my email and twitter with #inbox2 #desktop, don't miss out! http://bit.ly/9pHFfd
- Hey San Antonio!
- Someday, all hymnals in churches will be replaced by iPads... and you can play along with the organist like Rock Band.
Recent Posts
- Facing November
- Healing for the Nations
- Exhaustion at GA.
- A Movement for Wholeness
- Gearing up for General Assembly.
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