Presbyterians are experiencing a growing wave of interest in and energy for living and sharing the good news we experience as followers of Jesus Christ. Much of our understanding of how to ride that wave is bound up by old ways of thinking about evangelism stemming from a time when compartmentalization and specialization ruled in a denomination built largely on a corporate, top-down organizational structure.
We believe there is great desire for a conversation about how to identify our shared values and interests that cross these divisions, and encourage the kind of generative thinking and action that will build a renewed enthusiasm for evangelism, in its broadest and most holistic form, across the church. How can we capture a sense of the Holy Spirit that transformed from the earliest apostles into radical followers of Jesus in the book of Acts? How can we help our sisters and brothers across the church who are already experiencing that radical spirit to share with one another what they are learning about riding the wave?
“Grow the Church, Deep and Wide” will gather Presbyterians from across the established boundaries of theology and passion to celebrate, share and nurture the multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and continuous commitment that more and more Presbyterians are making as they catch the wave — witnessing to and sharing the good news all can experience as they are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Together, we will commit to bold action to support Presbyterians who commit to live their faith in the most compelling and invitational way possible.
The goal of this consultation is to intentionally “cross-fertilize” — inviting Presbyterians from across boundaries who might not typically find common cause with one another. Groups within these boundaries include local congregations, presbyteries, synods and the various national entities of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Register online
If you are paying by check please send checks to:
PC(USA)
Special Event Remittance Account #SE08028
P.O. Box 643765
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3765
"Grow the Church, Deep and Wide" will be held at Stony Point Conference Center in Stony Point, N.Y., nestled in the Hudson River Valley, 45 miles north of New York City. The cost of the event is $200; this includes a shared double occupancy room, meals and program and transportation to and from area train stations or the Newark or La Guardia airports (Newark is preferred). The Stony Point Conference Center has travel directions on their Web site.
The conference will begin at noon on Monday, November 10, and finish after lunch on Wednesday, November 12. Spaces are limited, so please register as soon as possible. The facility is handicapped accessible.
If you have any questions, please contact Jacquie Lyman. Please be aware that this effort is being carried out almost entirely by volunteers. We’ll do our best to be responsive to your concerns.