Emergent Conference in New Mexico

I am sitting in the Phoenix, Arizona airport en route to New York City after a wonderful three days at the Emergent Church Conference hosted by the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque. My friend Don Chaffer (the very talented songwriter and leader of the band Waterdeep) and I led worship along with his pal Greg LaFollette. Phyllis Tickle, Brian McLaren, Shane Claiborne, Richard Rohr and Alexie Fleming Torres spoke and it was a great three days from top to bottom.

As with most conferences some of the best stuff happened in the hallways and over meals and beers. I spent a lot of time with my dear friend Gareth Higgins, hung out a little with Karen Sloan, and other miscreants. Its been a long time since I laughed as hard as I have over the last three days.

I led a worship service last night where we had the people do a three minute chant of the word 'shalom' followed by a time in silence. It was very stirring to hear 1000 people doing a free form chant of the the word shalom in harmony. Heavenly.

I am on the board of new effort to start a Greenbelt-like event in the US and it is really ramping up. Mike King, Karla Yaconelli, Bill Hartnett, Robin Fillmore and I are driving the effort along with Brian Mclaren, Richard Rohr and Jim Wallis. This is going to be a very cool festival focused on issues of justice, the arts and faith. Go to facebook and sign up to be a fan. This thing is going to take off like a rocket so get on board. More on this later.

Comments

[Jim Schaffer]

Hey you. I am now at a new charity (did I tell you?) called Good Counsel -- homes for homeless families. On the pro-life front as well (not many Obama fans here!). Jim Wallis is a big deal again, now with this administration. The Greenbelt festival sounds exciting. Good luck. Good thing i got out of longterm health insurance (not that I was ever in it other than for a serious dose of utter humilitaion) -- Obama is going to make healthcare universal! Blessings on you. Jim Schaffer -- schaffer32@comcast.net; 203-912-2802

[Gail Henderson-Belsito]

Ian, that sounds like it was quite the conference. I hope and pray that all the planning and preparation for the upcoming events goes well. You are doing some very, very interesting and exciting stuff these days. I like coming to the blog to see where you are and what you are up to. Thanks for sharing tales of your adventures here.

Blessings to you, Anne, and the children in this Easter season.
And peace, dear Ian, peace.

[Tom Balderston]

From Greenwich to Florida. Have followed from afar, but recently my daughter gave me your Blog address. She, residing currently in Riverside, is considering attending Trinity. Know R. Woolworth well too. In process of having a book published - Wake Up Wake Up - The Testimony of a Layman, which Neely Towe so graciously provided an endorsement. Final Draft complete, about to go to layout and production - many months away. Check my Blog - TomBalderston.Blogspot.com for updates and commentary on other topics of interest to a lay Christian. Grace and Peace.