Comments on: Mission and the Mainlines http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/ Old English: Sanctuary (formed from the words "holy" and "work" thus what goes on in a sanctuary.) This is my sanctuary for writing on religion, academics, and the other things that ground my life. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:37:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Derek the Ænglican http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6647 Derek the Ænglican Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:18:24 +0000 http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6647 Heh. That's a great point too, Christopher. I was reading a review of *Unchristian*, a book written by the Barna research group that reminds us that most of the folks our age out there see the church as a bastion of bigotry and hypocrisy. Maybe we need to name & claim that too... Amen, Fr. John-Julian... Heh. That’s a great point too, Christopher. I was reading a review of *Unchristian*, a book written by the Barna research group that reminds us that most of the folks our age out there see the church as a bastion of bigotry and hypocrisy.

Maybe we need to name & claim that too…

Amen, Fr. John-Julian…

]]> By: Christopher http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6644 Christopher Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:56:05 +0000 http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6644 Derek, I think a third piece is being honest about ourselves, that we're not perfect, that we do get into conflicts, that we can be unkind to and hurt one another...I think part of public perception of us is that we advertise one thing--holiness, grace, forgiveness, and yet we behave badly, and none of us are excluded from my assessment including myself. The best way to address this is not with words, but in neighbor care. I would pick up on your note about our liturgies that we have theologies (plural) in them. You point about underdetermined is invaluable every bit as much as is your point, which Watson does a good job of showing as well, that conflict and differences in theology are biblical--and also liturgical! The mission statement of C's congegation is "rooted in tradition and open to new expressions." I think it sums them up pretty well. Derek,

I think a third piece is being honest about ourselves, that we’re not perfect, that we do get into conflicts, that we can be unkind to and hurt one another…I think part of public perception of us is that we advertise one thing–holiness, grace, forgiveness, and yet we behave badly, and none of us are excluded from my assessment including myself. The best way to address this is not with words, but in neighbor care.

I would pick up on your note about our liturgies that we have theologies (plural) in them. You point about underdetermined is invaluable every bit as much as is your point, which Watson does a good job of showing as well, that conflict and differences in theology are biblical–and also liturgical!

The mission statement of C’s congegation is “rooted in tradition and open to new expressions.” I think it sums them up pretty well.

]]> By: John-Julian, OJN http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6643 John-Julian, OJN Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:49:34 +0000 http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6643 Derek: I think someone else thought of that idea first! How does it go? "Strive first for the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Our approach to and theology of liturgy is really the single unique thing that belongs to Anglicanism -- everything else has been, is being, or can be done by anyone else. And, those who are not attracted to our liturgy, won't find anything else here of much value. For an Anglican, all life begins in the pew and at the altar -- and whatever else there may be springs from that. Derek:

I think someone else thought of that idea first! How does it go? “Strive first for the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Our approach to and theology of liturgy is really the single unique thing that belongs to Anglicanism — everything else has been, is being, or can be done by anyone else. And, those who are not attracted to our liturgy, won’t find anything else here of much value.

For an Anglican, all life begins in the pew and at the altar — and whatever else there may be springs from that.

]]> By: Derek the Ænglican http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6642 Derek the Ænglican Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:28:00 +0000 http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6642 Absolutely true. And you've hit on a good ractical point there: the marketing materials you send out should ring true for both visitors and long-timers. We *do* have a lot of good stuff going on, we just don't talk about it very well. Absolutely true. And you’ve hit on a good ractical point there: the marketing materials you send out should ring true for both visitors and long-timers. We *do* have a lot of good stuff going on, we just don’t talk about it very well.

]]> By: lutherpunk http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6641 lutherpunk Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:14:14 +0000 http://haligweorc.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/mission-and-the-mainlines/#comment-6641 Interestingly enough, when we decided to send out mass marketing postcards, we highlighted our sense of being a place where both questions are welcomed and tradition is honored at the same time. I think that mainline churches need to really look at the gifts they have to offer and highlight them, both internally to those present and to those who may be on a journey outside the church. Being a grace-centered community with deep respect for the traditions of the church is something that many mainline churches hold in common but fail to highlight. Interestingly enough, when we decided to send out mass marketing postcards, we highlighted our sense of being a place where both questions are welcomed and tradition is honored at the same time. I think that mainline churches need to really look at the gifts they have to offer and highlight them, both internally to those present and to those who may be on a journey outside the church. Being a grace-centered community with deep respect for the traditions of the church is something that many mainline churches hold in common but fail to highlight.

]]>