Forge 's impulse into the mainstream

An interesting comment on Mark Connor's blog which referred to Deb Hirsch speaking at his church City Life, got me pondering. City Life is the largest Church in Melbourne.

What I found interesting is the direction which Forge has moved. From the fringes when 10-15 years ago the mainstream was to be avoided. I can remember hearing Alan saying with my own ears that the main stream institutionalized church was DEAD! Yet now it seems the main stream is where Forge happily sits.

Those who I would say are on the fringe don't speak of Forge much if at all anymore. Strangely the only formal aspect of forge which is in QLD dosn't even mention that the Hirsches are in Australia. Their front page is somthing about a blues music outfit!

In the USA it seems Forge is going from strength to strength. It seems very upside down to me.

It seems to me that often in my life I have a 'Spiritual awakenings', Forge was one, the Vineyard another, yet they move or you move. Either way you could never go back to how things were.

Forge America

Interestingly Forge America is taking off...Hosted by the bastion of Evangelicalism Wheaton College.

Keynote speakers will be Alan and Debra Hirsch, authors, Founding Directors of Forge and International Consultants; Mike Frost Assistant Principal of Morling College.....If you have questions or need more info contact Kim Hammond, National Director of Forge America.

Does this feel like deja vu from about 10 years ago! Pity Forge Australia is winding down, miss the crew a bit. Nice the link back to Australia Forge though...