I was challenged at this summit by the call of the presenters (such as Mike Frost, Mark Seyers and Wolfgang Simpson) to deny self, avoid consumerism and seek God-initiatives rather than our own. None of these things are new of course, yet summits such as this often remind us of what is most important in life – and in our service to God. The message was not just to become more ‘missional’ but to specifically engage in dangerous spiritual discipline and selflessness and to grow spiritual muscle for our generous endeavours. Questions floated around such as ‘How can we live for the wellbeing of our community?’ and ‘How do we put Jesus into the centre of the life of our church?’.

I was about as confused as a stray dog at a whistlers’ convention at this summit by the emergent lingo. Most ‘newbies’ would agree that a glossary is needed for anyone wishing to understand what it’s all about. Terms such as missional, organic, apostolic, ecclesiology and attraction were thrown around like a beachball at the cricket. What does the missional incarnational impulse have to do with Paris Hilton’s effect on our consumeristic culture anyway? Maybe you’ll have to read up yourself and find out – and you could start your understanding by checking out the emerging movement.  Interesting was the fact that Brian McLaren, Alan Hirsch and others were also comfortable leading worship through Hebrew poetry and prayers. Ultimately once I grew more comfortable with the lingo I realised I shared the passion of this movement to be practical and radical in my service for God.

I was inspired at this summit because most people I spoke to were involved in a practical ministry to secular people. I met Martin from Swan Hill who leads a 2 year communal discipleship experience for youth in his town. Andrew from Adelaide is a COC pastor who attempts to encourage missional thinking and practise in his members. Michael is planting a church and helps with ‘Hopestreet’ in Sydney (reaches the poor, homeless and urban sex workers) which is sustained by funds from a communal restaurant.  Then there were the couple who ministered to people in the rave scene, and who were helping fund and develop a Bible for ‘new agers’. It was a little strange that whilst there were plenty of people involved in such ministries, I didn’t hear any ‘dangerous’ stories about people from the community making decisions for Christ. Maybe that will be the focus of Dangerous Stories 3?!

All the best with your endeavours to share our wild and untamed Jesus with those he’s put in your care.