Emergent Friends of NW Arkansas

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Next Gathering Info...

What a unique place Northwest Arkansas really is. What contrasts exist right here in our midst. Just a small drive through the countryside of Northwest Arkansas will show you a variety of landscapes and the people who inhabit them. No, this post is not a geography lesson. It's about the human aspect seen on such a trip.

Looking deeply for truth, it's the honesty of one's response to the view. The response that might go from the "ooohs and ahhhs" that flow readily when one is viewing a tract of half million dollar golf course houses...all green and landscaped to perfection to the "gasps and tsks" uttered when one encounters the obviously still lived in "remains" of a single wide trailer that should have been abandoned years ago. We live in a land of contrasts. Northwest Arkansas.

On the surface, we see our churches thriving. But have we supped with the woman at the well? Have we encountered the real Jesus in a way that really sends us scurrying off to tell our WHOLE town...or only to share it in our "group" (who have already heard the news)? Who beyond the gathering of believers (and their glorious bildings) is benefitting from the tithes and offerings we bring? Do we schedule our annual mission trip to a foreign land because we are sure God is calling us to prepare ourselves for dedicated service to the people of that land...or just because it is easier and cleaner to serve one week among people we do not know rather than to serve year round amongst people of our community?

These are all thougts that might be flowing through your mind. If they are, I would challenge you to be willing to consider...

Am I emergent?

It's really just a word...one leading the way to promote open discussion about the church in our current times in history. Join us April 25th from 7-9pm at the Pontiac Coffee House in Springdale to ponder these things and more!

In addition, join us in getting creative as toss around the ideas for making a presentation that can be shared with local groups... "Real Jesus: The Emergent Missional Church in NWA."

See you all soon!

Peace.
Sandy


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