The Sunday Assembly

The Age reported on a group of atheists who meet on Sunday which looked a bit like church without God. "The Sunday Assembly".

During the week I went along to a community garden and kitchen project. I meet a couple of new faces and while the gardening was central I'm sure in most part it was about community meeting and getting to know others, as well as benifiting the community. Really worthwhile. For me this sort of thing is very much an extension of my Christianity

I think what the "Sunday assembly is doing is similar, it's part of our DNA. To have fellowship and to be a positive influence on those around us. Their focus probably is on system of beliefs without God.

I suspect that how well they do will be dependent on how they sell the message If you look at the classy presentations, contemporary worship, emphasis on the tithe, that the large growing churches are pushing I doubt the assembly will get much more than a handful showing up regularly. They have a lot to learn from the Church.

Never the less its good to see a diversity of opinions and people who want to make a positive influence on society.

 

Missional reflections

Image via Wikipedia

Hamo over in West put up a blog post reflecting on his missional journey now and his thoughts for the future. It is an interesting read

Much of what he has written I can relate to yet, I've changed. I'm not as feverent for new 'converts'.
I suppose mainly it is about my theology. I am more convinced of the coming and living in the Kingdom of God. Not just the emphasis of 'Signs and Wonders' of the Vineyard which was a large part of my life.
I'd rather use the language of 'making disciples'. That working in the theology of the 'Here and Now' means listening and doing what Jesus would do. It can be pretty simple. Caring for God's earth, looking out for those less fortunate than you, a smile to a stranger. Conversing with someone who is avoided by others.  The Vineyard had an emphasis of about 90% on the 'signs and wonders' and a token acknowledgement by the rest. (This is not always the case, Tri Robison's Vineyard church put a huge emphasis on creation care) 
I've a good friends who I would call a follower of Jesus yet an atheist; an oxymoron. Yet through  him I see God's kingdom advancing. He works on refugee camps giving his time generously, he is environmentally conscientious. Strangely he believes Jesus exists and thinks he is the prime example of how Humans should live.
Yet their are things which Evangelical/fundamentalist  tradition doesn't get him over the line. Stuff which is is often (And rightly so) implied in the Bible. Jesus divinity, the atonement etc etc.
I don't care any more, so long as people are advancing the Kingdom. As NT Wright says the 'New earth' is getting closer. (Maybe wrong with this interpretation but that is how I read it.)
The other thing I like about a 'Kingdom' world view is 'mission' happens where we are. Incarnating where we are.

Related articles

• Piracy: Jesus Did It (unreasonablefaith.com)

A few snippets

A few interesting blog snippets



Anthony Flew, at one stage one of the world leading Athiests. Who then went and changed his mind has died. From Christinity today

Flew died, apparently still a deist, April 8. As he told Christianity Today in 2005, he hoped that would be the end of it. “I don't want a future life,” he said. “I have never wanted a future life.”

I still have his book on the to read list....

Again from Christinity Today, a women was awarded damages after been slain in the 'spirit' and injured.

Dadd, who is in her 50s, sued the church and its pastor after she was injured while "slain in the Spirit" - falling backward after being "overcome by the Spirit of the Lord" - during a rally at Mount Hope Church in Delta Township in 2002.
Dadd claimed Pastor Dave Williams defamed her when he accused her of insurance fraud, faking her injuries and renouncing her faith. A jury awarded her more than $317,000 damages for her injuries, as well as libel, slander and false light in a 2007 trial.

I always thought this would happen at some stage. It is a rather silly practice.