What Would Make Your Heart Sing? a vision process for Calvin Presbyterian Church: Book Discussion

One aspect of our "looking" will involve reading Church on the Other Side, by Brian McLaren. You can order the book through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com) or any online retailer. Calvin will be giving away a limited number of copies which will be available for pickup the first Sunday in November.

The purpose of the book discussion is not to woo you over to a particular way of thinking, but to invite challenging questions and pray the answers together.

There will be several opportunities to participate in a face-to-face book discussion within different groups in the church (see the calendar page), but here you will find comments on each section as it is read and discussed. Take the opportunity to reply with your comments, reflection and questions.

BUT! You don't have to wait! Comment here if you have started reading McLaren's book. No need to restrict your comments to the first few chapters, just let us know what you're thinking, feeling, celebrating and fearing about what you are reading. How do McLaren's ideas and comments intersect with life at Calvin? Be sure to check out the discussion questions at the end of each chapter....

JUMP IN....

You are invited to join this conversation and add your voice to the vision process. Find opportunities to comment on our ongoing book discussion, find weekly reflections and scripture, or submit your great idea for Calvin. Calvin's vision process is an exercise in hearing as many voices as possible and praying that the Spirit will organize them into a vision. So we will keep talking, and listening, and looking, and waiting....

To add your input to this blog, you don't need to sign in or join, you can simply reply to a comment in the space below the text. If you are comfortable, please use your name so that we can follow up with you if necessary.

HERE'S WHERE WE'RE STARTING....

We believe that the Spirit speaks to us more clearly as groups than as individuals. Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there also. Matthew 18.20

This process will be inclusive, inviting the input and participation of anyone who has a story to tell, a passion to share, or a yearning to be God's hands in the world. We seek to include children, youth, active and inactive members, friends of Calvin and community members, businesses, and organizations. We understand that God's vision for the world is radically inclusive, so we want to discover the passions not only of those within our walls, but those outside them whom we are called to engage in Christ's name as well.

During the six week period of the process, we will focus on hearing and telling our stories and discovering God's presence and passion in our lives. We will not initiate new programs. We will not worry ourselves about how many people are in worship or focus discussion on the need for growth to avoid decline in attendance at Calvin. We understand that God's intention and grace is to save the world through Jesus Christ and God can certainly accomplish that end (God already has!) with or without Calvin Church. However, as children of God who are desperately seeking a path to live out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phillipians 2.12) AND JOY!, we are engaging this process to identify where our common passions lie and look toward using them in our calling to be God's hands in the world.

Calvin Presbyterian Church

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