The Complex Christ: Signs of emergence in the urban church
Our top-down church structures are not ‘working’. In the city at least, the Church is largely perceived as an institution that is out of touch, ignored by those it seeks to serve, and detached from the blossoming interest in things spiritual. But what if the Church faced up to its fears, stepped down into the dark valleys and began to consider completely new ways of being? What if it explored the possibility of adopting an evolutionary – rather than a revolutionary – approach to change?
Drawing in detail on the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ, as well as urban theory, art and social practice, Kester Brewin imaginatively calls on the Church to dispense with tired structures and corporately ‘re-emerge’. Its message is compelling: only as a networked, bottom-up organism, responsive to the unique demands of the urban environment, will the Church once again begin to model the holy freedom of God.
We are very excited to host this particular Blah… Kester has been working on his ideas for a book ‘the Complex Christ’ for quite a long time and this will be the first public presentation of the material. It’s a very original and provocative book. Kester is part of the team that kick-started Vaux ( http://www.vaux.net ), an alt worship community in South London, where many of these ideas have been formed. This isn’t a book launch as the book isn’t out just yet but think of it as a pre-book launch – another Blah… not to be missed.
This is the third of a series of conversations hosted by CMS in 2004 on mission, worship, church and Christianity in today’s rapidly changing culture. It’s a time to keep listening, chatting and reflecting as God beckons us into the future.
Tuesday 6 July | 6:30-8:30pm | Drinks and refreshments provided | Admission free
Venue: CMS partnership house, 157 waterloo road
[Nearest tube Waterloo – follow signs from station to Old Vic. Go past Old Vic and Partnership House is on the same side opposite the ambulance station]
It would help us to know numbers in advance so if you’re coming please e-mail joyce
Please forward this e-mail on to anyone you think may be interested
hi jonny, this sounds like great stuff but cos i live way down in the south west it’s unfortunately outta range for me. are the sessions recorded do you know? i’ve still not emailed you the ‘christ at the carwash’ photo but will do soon! cheers,
andy
andyandshona.blogs.com
we haven’t recorded them so far but maybe we should get our act together on that?! you can always buy kester’s book when it is out….
i can’t wait to get the Complex Christ! Kester and i have had an email conversation the last little while — he has shared many snippets from the book — it is nothing short of profound and i think it will have signicant implications for the emerging church…
wish i could be a fly on the wall at the next ‘blah’….
i’ve read the manuscript and it is wonderful – a blend of emerging science, theology, cultural/sociological stuff, engagement with urban stuff and original ideas. it is in trhe mix of these things that the real spark is i think…. i hope it gets a US publisher…