Mainline Emergent/s and the Kansas Area
The Mainline Emergent/s gathering was an encouraging encounter with others seeking to do ministry in a way that is relevant to the surrounding culture and may be different than the way that things have been done within The United Methodist Church. I am considering how the conversations that I have had at this conference will be applicable at Resurrection and within the Kansas East and Kansas West annual conferences. My friend, Steven Blair - pastor at First Light Gardner, was also there from the East Conference. Also, Cindy Watson - pastor at West Heights United Methodist Church from the Kansas West Conference was at the event.
I think that there is a great deal of potential for emerging ministries to be developed both within and outside of current congregations in Kansas. I puzzle over how to effectively share the conversations which I have been a part of for the past few days with other clergy in the conference and within my own congregation. Perhaps it will be through an approach of promoting effectiveness in ministry - effectiveness that may be achieved through more intentional practices within congregations and moving toward an understanding the world in a way that moves beyond modernity.
What do you think?
Have you been to a conference and then been able to apply what you learned there when you return to your local setting?
If so, any thoughts on how this is effectively accomplished?
What have you been an effective way to spread ideas from a few people to many within an organization?