08642
September 5, 2008
Participants sought for ‘Deep and Wide’ evangelism consultation
Event to be held at Stony Point Nov. 10-12
LOUISVILLE — Presbyterians who “cannot help but share the Good News because of the song that God has put in your heart” are being encouraged to attend an evangelism consultation Nov. 10-12 at the Stony Point Conference Center outside New York City.
The event, co-hosted by former PC(USA) General Assembly moderators Susan Andrews and Rick Ufford-Chase, will attempt to build enthusiasm for “Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide,” and evangelism initiative enthusiastically endorsed by the recent 218th General Assembly (2008) in San Jose, CA.
The Assembly declared “a churchwide commitment to participate in God’s activity through Jesus Christ in transforming the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) during the 2009–2010 biennium” in keeping with Jesus Great Commission in Matt. 28-18-20.
The Assembly also encouraged synods, presbyteries, sessions, and all agencies, entities, and networks of the denomination to commit to foster the growth of the church in four areas:
- “Grow in Evangelism: Share the good news of Jesus Christ. Invite persons to join in the church’s worship and fellowship. Baptize children and adults.”
- “Grow in Discipleship: Rediscover Scripture, including daily reading and study. Nurture relationships with Jesus Christ in the context of our
Reformed heritage.”
- “Grow in Servanthood: Stand alongside the wider community to promote the well-being and love of neighbor. Embrace stewardship in all of life.”
- “Grow in Diversity: Welcome everyone. Learn from others. Reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of God’s peoples in the world.”
The Assembly encouraged its General Assembly Council to support “Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide” in its ministries and mission, and invited “the whole church to commit their prayers, gifts, resources, and time during 2009–2010, to discern God’s call to foster the growth of Christ’s church.”
Billed as a consultation on “evangelism outside the box,” the event will have only a few speakers: General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow, GAC Evangelism and Church Growth Director Eric Hoey and renowned church growth expert Stan Ott.
Andrews and Ufford-Chase will lead participants through the bulk of the consultation. “Those who choose to attend are asked to come with an open spirit, a commitment to listen carefully to others and to respect the unique ways in which we understand God’s call to us, and a willingness to follow wherever God’s spirit may lead,” the moderators stated in their invitation.
“No desired outcome has been identified by the conference planners. We hope that a willingness to listen carefully to one another, combined with prayer and worship together, will allow us to discern new possibilities for living our faith in the world with boldness and enthusiasm.”
Specific invitations have been issued to Presbyterians from across the denomination’s theological spectrum, they added.
Cost for the consultation — which begins Nov. 10 at 2.00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and concludes Nov. 12 after lunch — is $200, including lodging and all meals. Roundtrip transportation from the three New York area airports — Newark is preferred — is available for a modest cost.
On-line registration is available here.
If you have been experimenting with missional church efforts, creating the multi-cultural church, emergent worship, or new monasticism, we seek your voice,” Andrews and Ufford-Chase said.
“If you know that the challenge to do justice in the world is inextricably linked to our journey as followers of Jesus, we look forward to your voice in this conversation. If you cannot help but share the Good News because of the song that God has put in your heart, we hope you will come to Stony Point. If you are eager, as we are, for a church focused on that which unites us rather than that which divides us from one another, we welcome you.”
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