NOVEMBER 30 GATHERING AT THE HEINZ HISTORICAL CENTER

Our next gathering will be on Wednesday November 30. We will meet for lunch at 12:00 PM at the Heinz Historical Center in the Strip District and at 12:45 PM visit together the exhibit, "Points In Time: Building a Life in Western Pennsylvania, 1750-Today." Admission is $7.50 for adults and $5 for students with ID.

After our time in the Historical Center we will reflect upon our experience focusing our conversation around "missional vocation." In the book, Treasures in Clay Jars, Lois Barrett and her co-authors identify eight patterns of missional congregations. The first is "discerning missional vocation." The word vocation signifies a call and in the Scriptures that call is to participate in God's grand purpose for the world. The call is to come to Jesus and then follow Him into the world and join the activity of God wherever and wherever we are able.

Missional Churches are continually seeking clarity on the call, especially as it relates to identity and location. They give attention to:

1) where they are in a geographic, social, and cultural context
2) when they are in the flow of history and change
3) who they are in continuity with a tradition and re-forming it in the present
4) why they are welcoming God's call and entering God's coming reign

Let me raise three questions:

Where are We? Where is our missional assignment? While I understand we have a responsibility to be engaged in mission to the ends of the earth, our primary responsibility is local. How would you answer the "where are we" question? Are you/we clear about that? I have to confess I am wrestling with this one right now and am unsure that our faith community is zoned in on this one.

When are We? Are we aware of the unique opportunities that stand before us in our time? The Scriptures speak of these moments as kairos moments, opportune times. Because God has placed us in a particular space and time, there are unique situations that face us and demand our attention and energy? What unique opportunities stand before us, right here, right now?

Who are We? Our faith communities are rooted in a theological and historical flow. Are we clear about our roots and are we re-thinking together about how we will faithfully express ourselves in our world today?

Feel free to weigh in here now or save your thoughts for November 30.

Grace and Peace - Terry Timm