Sorry the Blog has been so quiet recently... TBH I'm really struggling with getting back into the habit... I think this may mean I now have "a life" ;-) Anyway I had to blog this, with all the reincarnations of iconic small cars, finally someone gets it right... and of course it had to be the masters of automotive style... the Italians! We want one... and it is Mac formatted and ipod compatible...
...on Flickr making 148 pics in total from the Houston gathering!
Technorati Tags: Emerging Church: Houston: Mission: Photographs
Had an absolutely awesome time in Houston... I will be posting some more pics tomorrow (got back at around 5pm this evening after 12 hours flying)... I will be posting more about the conversation/plans re. a Global learning trail for Emerging Churches as they develop... basically the state of play is that we are exploring drawing together network of communities that will 'contract in' as places for mentoring and learning... there will also hopefully be no distinction between "students" and "experts" rather that we all have the opportunity to learn from each other (young and old, experienced and new)... this would not be a 'course', nothing so 'modern' more an interconnected family of communities that intentionally seeks the entrepreneurs in our midst and seeks to mentor them and to enable them to explore different dimensions and experiences... and to learn from them and each other (possibly with meta-mentors to help guide learning) . I love the way we are going with this, it seems to play into the strengths of community and into the Global network, rather than trying to establish national frameworks which cut across the natural networks and conversations... or to build programmes based on someone's view of what an 'emerging church leader' needs to know! I honestly struggle with some of the imposed networks, whereas this was one of the most natural and valuable experiences of my ministry. 
I am extremely grateful to Karen, Jules and Shannon for getting this thing together and to all those who took part; especially to the community of Wellspring, Tomball, Texas... who offered the most amazing hospitality and welcome (and for the privilege of leading them in communion yesterday) Ken, Becky, Juli, Rod and community... many thanks - again! I now have a new family five thousand miles away! I hope we get the chance to visit again! And to HBU for the opportunity to share with their students something of what it means to be an 'emerging/missional community'.
I was asked to be part of a small design team (Mark and Daniel from Kubik, Karen, Shannon and Brad Sargent) for further exploration... primarily to establish a 'Foundation Story" for the network/learning trail... then to begin to flesh out some of the bones/draw out the values that have been expressed in the conversation. We hope to meet in Germany with Mark and Daniel from Kubik sometime in the new year to coax the story further. It was an added bonus to be able to meet the Jones' better half! Debbie is a gem... and a wise one at that! On a personal note... I had a great time in Aggieland even if the result didn't go our way, it was what you could call a baptism of fire in American Football terms... 
add to that Texan Dancing, Texas Hold 'em Poker, a real US Tailgate, meeting one of the most experienced Astronaughts in the world (Joe Tanner) and eating serious Texan Beef!... you could say it was a cultural revelation!
As you can see I had a good time... and am excited about what might grow from this new network... if you feel that your community could share this vision (we dream of a truly Global learning trail)... or want to know more E-mail me and I'll keep you up to speed of all developments. We'd also value your prayers (and thoughts) as we move forward together in this.
Technorati Tags: Emerging Church
These are mainly taken at Wellspring, an emerging missional community that meets/runs etc. a bar in Tomball, Houston. Today is the first day proper (Monday) of the gathering... so the conversation begins... but then later on before dinner (so far its been Beef and lots of Beef! :) Ribs and Steak... put it this way there is no way I will lose any weight this week!) we have the Texas Two Step (proper line dancing to you and me!) and then after DInner an evening of 'Texas Hold'em' Poker... one of the weekly things hosted by Wellspring in the Bar (see pic of the door)... I haven't taken a pic yet... will try to today... but over the front door they have life size sculptures of 'The Blues Brothers'... "We're on a Mission from God" LOL! As well as all the conversation there are other treats ahead... Friday = NASA and Saturday my hosts Ken and Becky (Leaders of Wellspring) are taking me to a college Football game (Texas Agricultural and Mechanical "The Aggies")... but... this college game gets more fans than Manchester United! (over 85 thousand) They have parades, a cannon that fires if they score a touchdown, marching bands etc. so it should be quite an experience!
Andrew Jones the TallSkinnyKiwi's just been to Glendalough... lucky sod... anyway if you haven't been to St Kevin's monastery site you should... it is in the Wicklow mountains and is a place of immense spirituality - a real Thin Place!
a photo I took there a few years ago - cross added of course!
Technorati Tags: Blogging: Emerging Church: Spirituality
We are all off on Holiday today... first to Essex to deposit the Cat with Lou's parents, then to Kent for an overnight before catching the Ferry early Monday morning from Dover. This means of course that Way Out West will also be taking a two week break - sorry
We will be staying in Carnac - the site of the earliest known European habitation dated at 3300BC and home to over 3000 standing stones.
And if any opportunistic burglars are reading this ;-) the house will be alarmed and looked after by our friendly next door neighbour!
Technorati Tags: Blogging
Brian McLaren: Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices
Paul S. Fiddes: Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity
Tom Sine: The New Conspirators: Creating the Future One Mustard Seed at a Time
Walter Brueggemann: Living Toward a Vision: Biblical Reflections on Shalom (Shalom Resource)
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