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MISSIONAL CHURCH CONVOCATION 2011
July 14-16, 2011

The 2011 theme is: The Simple Life: God's Quiet Revolution of Love, Forgiveness, and Unity

The Simple LifeThe revolutions we read about in newspapers and history books aren't usually quiet. They're fueled by the power of military alliances or the "power of the people."

The point of any revolution is to turn things around to change the world that is into the world that ought to be. But the revolutions we hear about are the loud ones.

God is sowing seeds of a quiet revolution in neighborhoods and farmlands around the world. Where the subversive practices of loving one another, welcoming the stranger, forgiving one another, returning good for evil, even sharing goods in common, are being practiced, there is a quiet revolution going on.

The quiet revolution of God's kingdom doesn't spring up big and tall, parading its supremacy over all the other kingdoms of the earth. Instead, like plants whose root systems spread and thrive underground, it quietly grows. There are many forces at work to diminish its life and liveliness, but in the end, God's kingdom will win. Faith communities today are being caught up in God's simple yet eternal way they are discovering afresh their part in God's plan to redeem the world through a peculiar people.

You will find the Convocation to be an integrating experience because it weaves together -
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  • Significant moments of worship:
    Celebrating God's redemptive involvement in human life, discerning God's empowering presence, proclaiming God's reconciling vision for all creation! The convocation participants gather each day as a worshipping community.

  • Engaging and interactive Bible study:
    The dynamic vision that lies at the heart of the biblical witness shapes the life and practice of faithful churches. Each session will be shaped by Bible study conversation and reflection.

  • Cultural analysis and theological discussion:
    The church exists in a context which it is called to engage. Discovering the contours of its worldly situation, the church is sent to proclaim and embody God's love for the world.

  • Serendipitous conversation and companions:
    Participants come from a variety of points along a missional church journey. Some are beginning the journey of transformation; others have traveled long. All bring their experience and stories, sharing the challenges and blessings as they venture toward greater missional faithfulness.

  • Located in an urban retreat setting:
    The Cenacle Conference Center is an urban retreat destination, with both options for quiet solitude and walks as well as the arts and entertainment neighborhood of Lincoln Park in Chicago.

 

Past participants have said...

I was at the recent Convocation of Missional Churches in Chicago. A great time of learning, fellowship & worship! Thanks to the Center staff & George Hunsberger (keynote speaker 2010) for inspirational leadership! (Gary Hendershot)

The convo was one of the most intellectually and spiritually stimulating and challenging continuing education experiences I have had in recent memory. (Bill Daylong)

This convocation refreshed and deepened my understanding, helped me identify new skills I need to develop.

This was an intensive exposure to something very different than the typical church growth and revitalization models and programs. It was fun to explore together. It stirred up my thinking and confirmed much of my spiritual convictions.

Questions and biblical texts guiding the discussion periods stimulated deep reflections and sharing vulnerabilities in a healthy, uplifting, and insightful way.

I appreciated the content, the emphasis on scripture, and the resources I was able to review and purchase. Terrific lectures! Bible studies were better than I expected. Table group process was helpful. Worship was wonderful!

Thank you for trusting the small table group dynamics - it let us model what we were talking about in this convocation.

My hope was to learn how my church can reach deeper levels of discipleship. I have achieved a good understanding of how this may be approached.


Convocation 2011 - Celebrating the Center's 43rd year
in partnership with the church.


 
The Center for Parish Development
Chicago, Illinois
Phone: 773.752.1596 
General information: cpd@missionalchurch.org
Registration questions: registration@missionalchurch.org
©2011 Center for Parish Development, All Rights Reserved