One of the difficulties I think we will encounter in this conversation is - we have lived with the illusion of the "Emerging Church". Just like those who are defending the "Modern Church" today against the coming heresy...

I do not think there is a modern church, emerging church or whatever comes after that. What we are trying to "Brand" or label is a transitory state the Church goes through all the time. It has just been fashionable (and maybe profitable for publishers and critics alike) to name it.

In reality I think we will look back at this period in time and see it is the IMPACT of the "Emerging/Postmodern" time/technology/theology/etc. that has had a great effect on the Church. Just like there were "Emerging Businesses" that came out of the transitions of the '80"s, it would be hard to imagine working without a computer or the internet. It has become business as usual.

Rather than looking for what we disagree on - perhaps we can find ways to hear each other, learn from each other, challenge each other, and join each other in the way of Jesus.

I know I have had my fair share of heretical moments and I live by the motto "If I am not a little embarrassed about what I said yesterday, then I probably didn't learn anything today".

But it is also important to hear the words of Arthur Schopenhauer who said, “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident”.

Someday those who are defending the church today will realize that it was the loss of modernity that they were grieving. And those who are so eager to be the torch bearers for the emerging church will be left with a new institution to feed. But for some, the Church will always be the Church and she will continue to surprise us... ...more

LIVE WORKSHOP

Whether your camera is a cellphone, pocket, digital or professional SLR, bring it along with you to this 2 hour hands on workshop - learn by doing.

Spencer Burke will kick off our time with a quick overview and vision for MONOTATION. Then the group will walk around "Old Town" with Spencer available for feed back. He will point out possible images to capture. Then the group can share, learn and collaborate with each other on the word they may use for they MONOTATION. Check out what they look like here http://MONOTATION.com

Saturday, November 28, 2009, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Old Town - Subway, 1125 2nd Street, Sacramento, CA

This could be a great way to set the pace/focus for the holiday season and meet some new, creative people.

LIVE REMOTE CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

Come join a group that will link-up for the first 15mins. over Ustream with Spencer Burke sharing the "what and how" of MONOTATION. Then your host will facilitate locally while you photography and collaborate on your creations. When your ready come post your MONOTATION and get feed back at http://MONOTATION.ning.com If you want to gather a group and do this in your town or if you want to just follow from your home and shot around your neighbor please do. Then join us on the Ning group and post yours as well...

ALBUQUERQUE - NM
Host - Sarah Sayles ( Sa Say )
Date - Saturday, November 28, 2009
Time - 11:00am - 1:00pm (local time)
Location - Old Town Plaza, 303 Romero St. NW (So I have found out that the plaza is a city-provided hotspot. We'll just meet out there in the park unless the weather is bad.)
RSVP to dsrtrosy@hotmail.com or call (505) 688-3933 for details.

OAKLAND - CA
Host - John O'Hara
Date - Saturday, November 28, 2009
Time - 10:00am - 12 noon (local time)
Location - 51st and Telegraph in Oakland's Temescal District.
RSVP to jfohara@gmail.com or call (510) 499-8218 for details.

JOIN US ON THE WEB LIVE 10:00am PST
Saturday, November 28, 2009
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/monotation

BE PART OF THE MONOTATION COMMUNITY
http://MONOTATION.ning.com
See, rate and share MONOTATIONs from the group. Tweet, blog and comment on other people's MONOTATIONs. Our desire is to encourage people to take a moment to reflect, center and meditate - using a simple image with one word to evoke understanding, love, self-refection, creativity, celebration, integration... Invite your friends and spread one image/word.

CREATE YOU OWN MONOTATION
Here's How
1) Take or choose one picture
2) Pick one word that describes your image
3) Modify your photo and add your word here - http://www.rollip.com
4) Post/share your creation here - http://MONOTATION.ning.com ...more

The Barna Group reports in a recent study that a number of significant differences in Bible reading habits exist between generational groups. One very interesting section of the survey focused on the six ways the Mosaic generation differs from older generational groups.

Mosaics view the Bible as:

Less Sacred: The Bible is not considered sacred by a smaller group of Mosaics.

Less Accurate: Mosaics consider the Bible less accurate than older generations viewed it.

More Universalism: Over 50% of Mosaics believe the Bible teaches the same spiritual principles as other sacred books.

Less Engagement: Mosaics are less likely to read the Bible as part of their regular schedule.

Bible Appetite: The good news is that Mosaics express a greater desire than other generational groups to learn more about the Bible.

I think the key to this study is in definitions...

As I look at each of the shifts, I see very positive trends afoot. But some may say we have lost ground.

Less Sacred - perhaps that means it is a more approachable writing, not meant to compete with others but to enlighten.

Less Accurate - perhaps we have moved away from placing an undue burden on the scriptures to be a "science text" or "history lesson" and more of a story about our relationship with God and our neighbor.

More Universalism - perhaps then next mark of a disciple will be to see what we have in-common with others, rather than focus on what divides us - embracing love over fear.

Less Engagement - perhaps "different engagement", just like other posts on literacy - people are "reading" in non-traditional ways. Beyond reading they are approaching the use of the bible as more than a study. Consider how movies, poetry or music are dealing with the spiritual issues of the day and how involved people are with dialoguing about these "bible stories".

Bible Appetite - this may be the best evidence for my observations above. Why do we see these as losses, when they say "they are interested"? Perhaps we want them to learn/engage/use the bible as we did. That will not happen - just as it did not happen with our parents and their parents. Use of the bible has radically changed with each generation since the printing press. And now with the advent of the internet the next evolution will transpire.

So, back to the beginning - I think the key to this study is in definitions... the question maybe one for each of us to answer. What do we mean when we say "help the younger generation discover and experience the power of God’s Word"?

Perhaps we need to evaluate how we evaluate others. Re-examine what we think "success" is for discovery and experience. Ultimately we may need to let the next generation define "the power of God’s Word"... ...more