About the Blog
Center Letter Blog is for the questioning and thinking church leader. It taps into the church’s rich biblical-theological heritage along with thoughtful analysis of the contemporary context. It seeks to cultivate faith communities discerning their participation in God’s mission. Inagrace Dietterich, Director for Theological Research at the Center for Parish Development, is the primary contributor and posts on a monthly basis. Each year the staff of the Center for Parish Development collaborate with a theologian / scholar / activist who walks with us shaping the focus of the annual missional church convocation in July. The fruit of our work together gives direction to the blog themes from year to year, and their convocation presentations are posted here.
Just read the new Center Letter Blog Issue 1 this morning in Honolulu. Inagrace’s article, “The Simple Life: God’s Quiet Revolution of Love, Forgiveness, and Unity” is a hoped-for-outcome for our church–First Chinese Church of Christ located in Honolulu. We are a 130 year old church struggling to find its way in today’s “facefook society.” Inagrace reminds us that we did to discern God’s mission for our church and discernment is a process focused on the study of the Bible! We will begin the first step this Saturday when our Board meets in retreat and I propose the discernment process as we look at Vision & Mission (among other things) for us. Blessings and aloha from Honolulu!
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What a powerful opportunity and challenge to focus anew on the real concrete dynamics of being God’s people in today’s setting, while seeking to ask and answer anew, “What is God calling us to be and do in this time and place.” When you enter into this deep conversation together – as community, trusting in the power of the Spirit in your midst — you demonstrate a way of being God’s people that has the power to be transformative. I hope you will continue to share about the journey.
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Thanks Ray, for us at FCCC it’s time to discern, gather and talk story and journey together and learn along the journey. I’m praying that a missional team will be organized to provide leadership along the journey. Blessings and aloha!
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