Facing the challenges of living in the hinge of history

It is my belief that we are living in a hinge of history that is ushering us from one era to the next.

For most of Christian history congregations have served as gathering places where geographically approixmate adherents could practice their faith. It was not always this way.

For most of its first three centuries Christianity was mainly a street movement, a marketplace phenomenon that spread through slave populations and social guilds of free laborers. Gatherings of adherents took place primarily in homes and some suitable public places, convening primarily for fellowship, teaching, and worship. However, the gatherings were not the point or focus of Jesus-follower spirituality. Christianity was primarily a practice, a way of life.

The above quote is from Reggie McNeal's newest book Missional Communities: The Rise of the Post-Congregational Church (p.2). McNeal represents a growing number of thinkers who believe that we are living in an age of transformation that is akin to the experience people had during the period we now call The Reformation.

We are not looking at incremental change. The Church is being transformed. The institutional congregation has been the primary center of Christiainity since Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. However, there is a growing since that in the next era, that may not be so. There is no large body of thinking of which I am aware that asserts that the local congregation is going away. But, as in The Reformation, there is growing agreement that it will take on a very different look in the next era.

What if McNeal and others like him are anywhere close to being on point? The implications are enormous, and in the face of their enormity, we have two choices. We can contribute to and participate in an anxious reaction that makes winners and losers, resorts to right or wrong thinking, and accelerates the anxiety that this kind of deep change inherently brings.

Another option is to come together for thoughtful Spirit-led conversations. Houston is filled up with people who have been working on the questions that McNeal's assertions raise. We have some of the countries largest congregations and we have some of the most innovative work being done around missional living. It seems to me that if we could function the way a body is made to function, then these conversations could help make things increasingly clear. Out of that clarity, Spirit driven action is possible.

Ecclesia, Houston Graduate School of Theology, Memorial Drive Presbyterian, Mission Houston, and St John's downtown are attempting to create safe space for this conversation to take place. Reggie is one of two key-note speakers for the upcoming ATCO (at the corner of . . .) Conference. In addition to two key note speakers, you will hear numerous stories from local Houstonians who are living missionally, and there will be opportunities for questions and responses along with space for personal conversations.

It's our hope that the gathering will help advance our thinking and our acting - both individually and collectively as we thoughtfully follow the Spirit's leadership in our attempt to navigate the waters of this hinge in history.

The public is invited to attend. ATCO is scheduled for Friday afternoon, October 14, 2011, from 12:45 - 5:45 pm at St. John's Downtown. There is no cost but registration is required. This link will take you to the web site and registration.