Feb 06 2009
Missio/Forge Partnership
I wanted to update you all on a great partnership that is forming between Alan Hirsch and his Australian network called FORGE and Missio. Over the last two years, we’ve done a lot of synergized events with Alan and he’s been an incredible advocate for Missio and The Tangible Kingdom as we’ve always pointed people towards Alan’s writings and processes. People often say, “I read Shaping of things to come/Forgotten ways, and it changed the way I think about church, but The TK helped give a real life picture of how missional/incarnational ways of church can happen.
This constant response has moved us all to realize that the Missional/Incarnational dialogue is now becoming common place. No longer is it a fringe idea. Everyone, including multi-site/mega-church/normal church leaders are all wanting to move forward. Thus, we’ve sensed a need to have a more unified effort to bring more people into the discussion, providing regional training options and a more comprehensive support structure to help all ends of the church spectrum. We hope that as we join hands in this effort that many others will look to serve God’s missional movement with us. We’ll keep you posted. As for now, I leave you with a silly picture of the masterminds (or band of knuckleheads) of this global takeover (Hugh, Matt, Lance “shapevine” guy, and Alan) If you look really close to the whiteboard behind us, you’ll see the secret plan to wake up the “underworld”!!!!
Looks like a middle aged boy band that would open for the Rolling Stones. Much love.
Actually, if Alan had blue tinted glasses…
Hugh,
We all enjoyed your words in Vancouver last week. I’m sure some of our comments and questions are similar to others elsewhere. You have a great way of speaking a correcting word, but I’m guessing you often feel like you are describing your football experiences, but people keep asking you about driving the lane, dunking the ball, and how to best shout free throws? I think you are right when you say the primary shift is in our hearts for people, not firstly in our methodology of ministry. We say that once one of us comes to Christ our lifestyle (methods) will then get a progressive over-haul – action following inner transformation. If that were only true with those who lead our churches. Maybe it only seems like the least missionally-minded and most relationally challenged among us are our leaders, so easily forgetting Paul’s words: “As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully” (2 Tim 4:5). When Jesus, our Role Model, was and continues to be a friend of sinners, we either have to do a lot of rationalizing why we are not, or disregard Him as a model. I’ve wondered for a long while why I haven’t seen the book title “Jesus: a model for everything – a church planter’s guide.” I don’t think many of us have yet made the connection.
Keep preaching to all generations of leaders the crucial need to follow Christ – into the lives of strangers and unchurched people.
shine on,
Curtis Collins
[...] ripped this off from my buddy and colleague, Hugh Halter’s, site. It is his/our hack way of announcing an exciting new alliance between what I represent [...]
Welcome to the forge family Hugh!
Looking forward to connecting at some stage.
Phil
Forge – Australian National Director
As I said on Alan’s blog…great pic….if slightly scary!
Pax
J
Halterman,
Two things: First you hard to reach sly dog leave the state you love (Oregon) fool…you pickin need to call me. 503-422-7717.
Second: You need to get on the Clackamas High Alum Website that is getting all the Alum traffic. Way better than all those paid sites. It is free. Go to our high school website and find the link. Great stuff and all you “83″ bro’s are posting cool family shots and hooking up.
Stink dude……it’s been way too long. —Jim Small “81″
PS —What is the name of your band in the above photo??
Jim Small in Portland