A group of bishops and church growth specialists, writers and consultants gathered in Chicago April 28-29 to explore paths for developing a revitalized church, one more attuned to post-modern sensibilities, and more nimble in developing new leaders and responding to evangelism opportunities.
The group identified places where revitalization work is showing promise, structures and systems that hinder such work, and actions at the diocesan level that could move this work forward. Out of the discussion the group drafted a presentation plan for the House of Bishops’ 2010 spring retreat.
In a paper prepared for the meeting, author and church development visionary Brian McLaren contended that The Episcopal Church is uniquely situated—theologically, liturgically and spiritually—to be a gateway for non-churched and de-churched spiritual seekers.
This is not the first time that Mr. McLaren has singled out Anglican churches as perhaps best suited for worldwide evangelism in the 21st century. During his plenary address to bishops and spouses at the Lambeth Conference in July, he said the Anglican Communion, with its worldwide network of episcopally led, locally governed churches, is the prime candidate to bring culturally divergent people into a closer relationship with a church community.
But if that opportunity is to be grasped, he said this week, bold and critical action is needed by a cohort of creative and courageous bishops. These bishops must create “a zone of innovation and empowerment, a zone in which creative young and emerging leaders can be supported to plant new faith communities relevant to the needs of young adults.” Such a move, Mr. McLaren said, could do for the 21st century Episcopal Church what the Church of England failed to do for the followers of John Wesley in the 19th century.
The rest here-
http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/5/1/bishops-brainstorm-to-reach-unchurched
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