Each year the “Gathering of Leaders” invites a theologian to spend some time thinking alongside some leaders within the Episcopal Church, this year that honor falls to me. I was supposed to have some time in January in the American South East… but COVID.
Now, in a couple of weeks I get to gather in Oregon with innovative leaders from different regions of the USA engaging the vital question of “The Missionary Church After Christendom.” I love this theme. Deep in my heart I sense that the cultural obsolesce of the institutional church may well usher in new life for those groups seeking to live in the way of Jesus within local contexts. Many questions move to the foreground when the church begins asking questions like this. God give us courage, creativity, and compassion as we navigate these waters together. Here’s the descriptor of our time:
The era when “everyone” knew the Christian story, the church held a position of public respect, and Sunday mornings were reserved for worship is ending. The church is losing influence, power, and the social expectations that maintained our institutions and budgets. How will we, as leaders, respond to this transition out of hope and courage rather than fear? What can we learn for this new reality from voices in the church who have modeled perseverance, maturity, faithfulness, and innovation from a place of cultural marginalization? What do we need to retain at our core; what do we need to cast off; and what do we need to adapt in order to proclaim the gospel and form disciples in this new reality?
2022 THEME DISCRIPTION
This is exactly the kind of theme that I have been exploring in my personal life and my teaching. I can’t wait to be with other leaders motivated by similar questions.
Peace, dwight
