For many congregations in the 20th century, we simply opened our doors and people came in. It was the pattern, the norm. No longer.
Like the early church most people around us are either indifferent to the church or hostile. This is why many church leaders are reading the Acts of the Apostle, the stories of the early church, not as ancient history but rather as a guide for how we might be in ministry today...hence the term 'the ancient future church' when describing the church 2014 and beyond.
As we look at where the church has been, is now, and where we seem to be going, many church historians and Bible scholars are arguing that the 21 century church has more in common with the early church, the church of the first and second centuries, than with the 20th century church.
In this year's retreat, we will explore:
- What the first century church has to show us about how we navigate our way in 2014.
- The book of Acts, as we identify what characterized the early church and how they grew through their faithfulness
- Trends that are changing and challenging ministry and how we navigate our way in these times.
Featuring Keynote Speaker:
Rodger Nishioka
Rodger is the son of a honorably retired Presbyterian pastor and is evidence that you can be a pastor's kid and still love Jesus.
He has published several articles, chapters, and books largely focused on ministry with youth and young adults and the educational ministry of the church as spiritual formation.
Upon graduating from Seattle Pacific University in education, he taught school in Tacoma; then, answering the call to fulltime ministry, earned a master's in theology at McCormick Theological Seminary, a doctor of divinity degree at Austin College and a PhD at Georgia State University. He is currently the Benton Family Associate Professor of Christian Education at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.
While he teaches in the area of Christian Education and practical theology, he specializes in ministry with youth and young adults and has completed a research project comparing the participation of young adults in mainline Protestant congregations and non-denominational independent Christian movements.
Prior to his joining the faculty at Columbia, Rodger served for 12 years as denominational staff in youth and young adults ministry for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Cost:
Full Event: $80- Lodging (quad occupancy), plus meals for Friday dinner through Saturday lunch
Commuter: $45- If you'll be providing your own lodging and commuting to Highlands. Includes full meals.