Emerging Africa

What books are you reading right now that help you theologically/devotionally/to improve your sense of humour/intellect/sense of rest/whatever? Or perhaps "Dating for Dummies"?! I'm reading "Deconstruction in a nutshell" by John Caputo, "Brendan" by Frederick Buechner and about to start "A spirituality of the road" by the late, great South African missiologist, David Bosch (which reminds me: all going to the South African Missiology Society's conference this weekend (Steve?) - I hope it goes well). I also listen to Abbot Christopher Jameson's "Finding Sanctuary" fairly regularly.

I'm reviewing this book for the WEF's theological commission. I can't reproduce it here, but I'd like to bring a few thoughts to the table, ch by ch. Holmes is the co-founder of Christ Church Deal in Kent, a 'therapeutic community' with some interesting features that may well inform the conversation here. Stay tuned...

I'm immensely enjoying listening to and reading N.T. Wright. I've just finished "The Challenge of Jesus" which looks at the quest for the historical Jesus and then puts Jesus firmly in his context as a first-century Palestinian Jew. In this resource from Emergent UK, he talks about why it is necessary to study Jesus in his historical context (it's way more interesting than it sounds!). He is an intelligent and engaging speaker who is challenging me to go back to the Scriptures.

Brian gave a well-received talk this morning at TGIF. About seventy people stumbled out of their beds an hour earlier than normal to make their way to the Seattle Coffee shop in Cresta, some to hear the author who has given them hope to believe in God again, others to hear a controversial evangelical who has obviously moved away from cherished Christian ideals.

Here is the description of his talk:

About 25 South Africans toured the States late Jan. and visited very interesting writers and pastors: Scot McKnight, Rob Bell, Len Sweet and Tom Bandy amongst others.
I will give some feedback on this.
As a starting point I'd like to recommend Scot McKnight's blog www.jesuscreed.org.
Nelus

Hi all - seems conversation is a bit slow around this place at the moment. Anyway, I just want to let you all know about a blog I've just started. After 4 months of not blogging I've decided to start again, this time with a bit more focus.

I've decided to blog more specifically on the things I'm dealing with at the moment which primarily is to learn more about being a Bible teacher and gospel worker. I don't really have much in the way of answers but I thought it might be encouraging and edifying for me to share my journey of theological exploration with anyone else interested. So if you're keen on the idea and serious about seeking the Lord's face in terms of Bible teaching and gospel work then come around and check me out at [...daylight|http://www.stephenmurray.wordpress.com]

In Christ

Check out Scot McKnight's terrific article on the Emerging Movement at http://foolishsage.com/wp-content/uploads/McKnight%20-%20What%20is%20the%20Emerging%20Church.pdf

I am a lutheran pastor heading to South Africa in May of next year to partner with an existing ministry to minister with HIV/AIDS orphans.

We will be near Mafeking, SA. Anyone have any tips/guides/web resources? And any practical hints on visiting and not being the ugly American, etc?

jcraz

Phoenix, AZ

I have just posted a number of events in August, featuring Tony Jones. He has been brought out to SA to do two workshop sessions (Stellenbosch and Pretoria) on Postmodernism and Youth Ministry. Deon Kitching of YouthNet is organising the events. Check out http://www.winterschool.co.za.

Tony is currently the full-time National Co-ordinator of Emergent, the USA emerging church movement. He is the author of a number of great books, inlcuding "Postmodern Youth Ministry".

This is worth going to!!

Brian was in Australia before coming here and they've [posted | http://www.abc.net.au/sundaynights/stories/s1582978.htm] an interview with him as a [downloadable mp3 | http://www.abc.net.au/sundaynights/stories/Brian_McLa_m1197195.Mp3]. Hopefully we'll get to do something similar.

Was anyone we know at the conference this week? It ends today so maybe we can get some feedback. Brian is also speaking this weekend at both services at [Mosaiek | http://www.mosaiek.com/].

He's also written an article entitled ["Found in Translation - Are there new ways to talk about Jesus' good news?" | http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0603&article=060310] at [Sojourners | http://www.sojo.net/].