Friday, January 15, 2010

Reclaim

Reclaim Promo from Communications Bureau on Vimeo.


Today in Atlanta – and into the weekend - The Salvation Army holds the RECLAIM event.

There’s an outstanding roster of speakers and workshop leaders, including missiologist, author & all round top bloke Alan Hirsch, the wonderful Phyllis Tickle and Pete Rollins, who has recently made the move to the US from Northern Ireland.

Hirshy has had numerous mentions on this blog because of the impact of his writing – together with his buddy Mike Frost – on my understanding of what it means to be a missional – sent – people.

I love it when our tribe reaches out to other wise voices to help inform what it is to re-engage with mission...so important for a movement that sometimes struggles with the balance of it's calling as a radical Jesus following mission movement and the challenges of also being a massive global social service agency.

It’s good too that some of the workshop themes are taking on the hot potato of human sexuality. I’m willing to be knocked down on this, because I haven’t researched the facts on this, but I can’t remember a time when a Salvation Army conference has dealt with it in such a head-on fashion. I’m glad the initiative has been taken.

We’re on a journey.


Wish I was there!

I’m looking forward to hearing how it went...

4 comments:

Kelly said...

Hey, Johnny! I'm the chick on the video you've linked above, and the event coordinator for the movement which hosted Reclaim. Just so you know, Reclaim went seamlessly well.

I really believe that the shift toward missional activity in our corps, (churches for non-Salvos), is the key in moving forward. We had a great line-up, in the general sessions as well as workshops, as well as ministry opps, and a corps strategy track for leaders that want to take a more intentional approach in their communities.

Hopefully, you'll hear some feedback from those attending as well! I was very pleased.

Thanks for the promotion!

Kelly

Johnny said...

Cool! Great to have your feedback, Kelly.

It looked like a really exciting event. I have huge amount of time for Alan Hirsch in particular from the line up of speakers, and the emphasis and direction was right on the button. Good work!

Glad to have been able to share a little of the story.

Grace & peace

J

Rob said...

I've read Hirsch and last fall studied Tickle @ Seminary. Was completely frustrated and disappointed that I couldn't make it to ReClaim - so much to say about why not...maybe someday...

I'm glad events like this are pushing us towards missional thinking, but I don't think it's getting through at the top. Missional living needs to be viral and spread from the bottom up.

Just my humble opinion.

Johnny said...

I think you're correct there, Rob, re whether Missional thinking is really taking root at the top. That would by my reading of it as well.

Also, I'd love to have been at ReClaim, but cash and distance woulda been a problem.

Thanks for you comments...really appreciated.

J

J