On January 8-9, 2010 a bunch of missional pastors/church planters/leaders/people from all over the Midwest will be gathering in Fort Wayne to “talk shop,” discuss what we’re learning, encourage one another, pray, conspire and collaborate together for the gospel. My friend David Fitch calls Fort Wayne the “Missional Mecca of the Midwest,” which is really catchy, and also happens to be true. 😉
Last year we had a great turnout from all over the Midwest (and New Jersey! Shout-out to Life Mission Fellowship!). There’s a lot of hunger for this type of thing around here, and we’re glad we can help put on an event that will bless, equip, and encourage those who are in the trenches doing this stuff, and those who are wanting to dive into it more.
So it’s the Third Annual Missional Learning Commons – A Non-Conference. We call it a Learning Commons because it’s a focused day of learning from one another in collaboration and discussion, as opposed to hearing from celebrity speakers. We call it a Non-Conference because there are no fees, no paid speakers, no big sponsors selling stuff, just everyday folks trying to figure this stuff out and encourage one another in the Spirit.
This year we’ll gather at Westview Alliance Church, and the theme is Deeper Church: Churches as Whole Communities. Friday night (Jan 8, 7pm) is a discussion of Soong-Chan Rah’s book The Next Evangelicalism, which is a theological and practical discussion about obtaining multi-ethnicity in the local church. If you’d like to be part of this gathering, make sure you have read the book before you come, and be prepared for some robust theological/cultural engagement!
Then Saturday (Jan 9) is wide open (no preparation needed!). Check out the detailed schedule at missionalcommons.org, or Fitch’s blog. RSVP on the Facebook event page or by emailing me. The general topics for discussion on Saturday are listed below: