Dear Caldwell Family:
Greetings from Chicago, where I am taking part in a fascinating PCUSA conference on multicultural churches. As America moves closer and closer to being a minority majority nation (where, together, minorities make up the largest portion of the population) , its churches must understand how to worship, serve and nurture people of all types in man ways. But this is about far more than just church survival (that’s up to God, anyway); it’s about learning how to encounter God in ways that speak across cultures and backgrounds, ways that can deepen our individual faith perspectives.
Yesterday and today, I participated in pre-conference sessions focused on what some are calling the “Emergent Church.” Others call it “Fresh Expression.” This focus is on how younger generations (or those who think and feel like them) worship, serve, form community and grow spiritually. Tonight the conference shifts to a deeper focus on multiculturallism.
What I am hearing and learning is both affirming and exciting. It’s affirming many of the things that our leaders have already begun at Caldwell. It’s exciting to think about all that we can still do.
As you go into a three-day weekend, I hope you will have some time to rest and recreate. Sunday is Trinity Sunday, a day when we consider what it means to worship a “triune God” who lives and reigns and guides us as our creator, redeemer and sustainer. We will use this occasion to make an important, perhaps overdue change in one aspect of what we do in worship. Come and find out.
Finally, the Bilingual Preschool had a wonderful open house for parents yesterday and the kids had their first day at school at Caldwell today. I’ve attached a photo to give you a flavor of the day.
Peace to you all.
John