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committed to smallness
I was inspired to post this extended quote again (I did a couple of years ago I think, or a year) by our friend Arlen in Minnesota. He is on a very similar journey. He quoted Gordon Cosby of the Church of The Savior in D.C. on his blog today. I found the source and here is the extended version in the section about that church's "committment to smallness."
I want to say that Vine & Branches will remain committed to smallness as well, perhaps a bit smaller still than Church of The Savior. I have come to the point, and I've been there for some time, that this is essential in order for us to be what we want to be. Here's the quote...
Despite the church’s considerable impact on the city and beyond, however, it has always remained small. And that is by intention. Nine other faith communities have been planted directly out of Church of the Saviour (while scores of other churches around the country refer to themselves as “in the tradition of Church of the Saviour.”) Many who have heard about the church or seen the breadth of its impact are surprised that even at its largest Church of the Saviour never had more than 150 members (though hundreds more attended or were deeply involved). That is due, in large part, to the high commitment required for membership. From the earliest days of the church, after Gordon Cosby returned from World War II, a core assumption has been that the greatest impact on the world comes about by small, highly committed and disciplined communities of people focused on outward mission, inward transformation, and loving, accountable community. Church history, church members point out, shows this to almost always have been true. Gordon is convinced that size actually inhibits effectiveness, that it works against a community of people being truly counter-cultural, to having depth, to breaking addictions to the culture. “Large numbers,” he says, “tend almost inevitably toward depersonalization and institutionalism, toward a lessening of commitment. So we resist the temptation to power that comes through numbers.”I don't post this to say that we need to imitate or try to recreate what they have done in Washington, D.C. I honestly don't know tons about Cosby or that church. I know people who do, but I haven't read or studied about them. We are doing what we have been given to do. Of course we have been influenced. Everybody has. I trust that we take our influences as those guided by the Holy Spirit. We don't exist in a vacuum. We are a part of the holy catholic church, that has existed throughout the ages and will exist after we are long gone. So, I'm pointing this out as an encouragement that we are not alone - that we aren't the only ones seeing this, and perhaps to help you further understand why we do what we do. Peace and Grace to you.
| posted by + Alan | 11:44 AM | 2 comments |
Monday, May 09, 2005
monastic future post
I posted on my blog about some details concerning vbcc's monastic future. We've talked about these things before to some degree. I thought it might be good for you to read this though.
> monastic future
| posted by + Alan | 10:08 PM | 0 comments |
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
the face of the advisory council
Yes, Vine & Branches (as well as myself) has an advisory council, aka, "board." It's not a voting body that "runs" anything. It's a relational body of guys whom I know, love and respect highly. They know me well and what we're doing and have agreed to be available with advice, wisdom and prayer. You may have met some or all of them. Anyway, here they are...
Aaron Klinefelter - Cincinnati, Ohio. Aaron is one of the pastoral council of Vineyard Central in Norwood, Ohio. We've known each other whether by e-mail or face to face for a few years now and have developed a great friendship and help each other think through a good many things. I only asked Aaron recently to be on the council and am thankful that he has agreed.
Dave Nixon - Cincinnati, Ohio. Ahh, the wise old monk. Dave and his wife Jody started Vineyard Central and he is the Abbot of a common monastic household in Norwood. He also now serves as the pastor of spiritual formation at the Northern Kentucky Vineyard. Dave is full of wisdom and we love he and Jody very much. They have been good friends for several years. They actually led a vbcc retreat last year which was great. I'm sure we'll be calling on them again. Look out guys!
Kevin Rains - Cincinnati, Ohio. Kevin also leads a common household (urban monastery) in Norwood and is a pastor on the council of Vineyard Central. Kevin and I have been great friends almost since the moment we met and thought we were secret sons of the same father (some say we look like brothers). He is an amazing friend and a wise man and we have shared a common heart for the church and what it is becoming for quite a few years now. We love and value he and his wife Tracy very much and have been encouraged by their example.
Peter Matthews - Lexington, Kentucky. Pete is an Anglican priest, planter and pastor of a local church here called St. Patrick's (fine name). Pete and I hit it off amazingly a few years ago and our friendship and camaraderie has grown ever since. We often hash our theological and practical thinking out with one another until something good comes out of it. I value his maturity and thoughts highly and an honored that he is a part of this council, as well as my friend. He and his wife Trudi have 4 children too and you should pray for all of us! ha!That's all for now. I think it's good you know who these folks are every now and then. We are not lone rangers. We have relationships with others who are doing similar things in the region and value them highly. Peace be with you.
| posted by + Alan | 9:48 PM | 0 comments |