History
In 2001, several seminary students conceived of re-church as a gathering to re-conceptualize what it means to be the church in a contemporary, dynamic context. Originally a component of the SEEDS conference at Andrews University, re-church has since morphed into an annual gathering that focuses on practical engagement with the world. Gatherings have sought to be both provocative and enriching, highlighting key issues for our generation that lie at the intersection of the gospel and contemporary culture.
Recent re:church events include:
In New York City (2002)—Loving Babylon: How to Love the City, uncovered a biblical, urban theology that instructs us to love the city and work for its healing and prosperity.
In Southern Calif. (2003)— Dancing with God: Steps to Loving Well invited us to explore the rich depth and breadth of spiritual practices God can use for our transformation if we will make space for them in our lives.
In Philadelphia (2004)—Micah 6:8: Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly was held at the Campolo School for Social Change and featured Tony Campolo as keynote speaker. The gathering challenged us to be doers and not simply hearers of the word, to be actively engaged in working for peace and justice in our world.
In 2005 nearly there was major change in the lives of the coordinators of re-church and we took a step back to evaluate.
This October (2006) we are holding our next event in Columbus, Ohio, linking to the National Conference on Innovation. At this event we will not only talk about innovating the future in our local minstry contexts, but also the future of re-church as a network. We hope you’ll join us and be a part of this next chapter.
Hello to friends unknown:
I have just now come across the website for re-church, and have tried to dig out, from your short history, what the over-arching objectives of re-church might be. First the vision; later the strategies. I’m no bushy-tailed seminary grad. But I love my church, where I’ve been nurtured forever, and I want to see it doing God’s work in the world…..effectively. But are the old wineskins up to the task? In Western cultures it’s doubtful. I’m suspecting we have to learn something from Planet Earth’s most dynamic growing form of Christian faith: the one that intentionally seeks personal intimacy with God and awesome encounters with the Holy Spirit. It’s exploding in Africa, South America, Asia. Even our postmoderns can dig it, if it’s real. Wish I could make it to the Innovation talkfest in Columbus: need to learn about “spiritual capacities”. I hope that innovation extends well beyond tweaking the church machine, because we are the church, and we need more than tweaking. Blessings!
Bernard Brandstater
Hello re-CHURCH colleagues,
It has been my delight over the years to watch the emergence of this network and experience the impact it has made and aspires to. I have high hopes that the future will further reveal GOD’s intent for this needed community of passionate disciple-makers.
Lead. Love. Live!
\o/
a allan martin, phd
associate professor for discipleship and family ministry
SDATS Christian Ministry Department @ Andrews University
aamphd@earthlink.net
amartin@andrews.edu
amartin@GODencounters.org
A. Allan Martin, PhD
Christian Ministry Department, SDATS
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104-1500
407-810-2757.cell
269-471-6375.office
Just found re-church site. The recap of years in 2005 left me wondering??? “2005 nearly there was major change in the lives of the coordinators of re-church and we took a step back to evaluate.”
Q-what major change in the lives of the coordinators caused the group to need to re-evaluate re-church?
Did you meet in 2007?
Very interesting…I offer hope and Blessings