This is a late greenbelt post!
On the programme this year at Greenbelt was Matt Redman. This was very surprising and at the same time unsurprising as GB positions itself in the ‘broad’ camp someone like Matt ticks the conservative evangelical and charismatic boxes. As it happens it tick many peoples boxes.
There were about 3500-4500 people at the mainstage for Matt’s worship gig. And as I was processing this phenomenon, [whilst not worshiping!], I wondered whether I was surrounded by fellow graduates? Those older teens and young adults who we with Soul Survivor in the early days of the early 1990’s and who frankly are now too old even for Momentum. But who also have diversified in there spirituality and prefer a place like Greenbelt than New Wine, the perhaps more natural grassing ground for SS graduates?
emerging church, evangelicalism, greenbelt
It has been a while since Greenbelt and I have been meaning to record a few thoughts that came during that weekend.
My first thought was after Shane Claiborne who spoke about Big Beasts and Little Prophets. What struck both Kate and I about his mix of anecdotes and challenges was that part of been Christian is to be ‘peculiar’ in the eyes of those around you. Sharing extra-ordinary hostility and demonstrating an unmatchable degree of grace in everyday ordinary situations where the people we meet are at their point of need. This calls for a very hands-on approach to life let alone ministry.
Our second thought came after listening to Jim Wallis in conversation with Stephen Timms MP. Jim talked about meeting congress[people] and the three types you meet. First those who follow through their convictions, then those who follow their convictions when they are in line with public opinion and then those who form their convictions by following public opinion. Jim said that all three are walking around with their finger in the air trying to discern what’s on the current wind and where it might be going. Change the wind and all three types will be affected. I have to confess that this is something that excites me. Not that the hands-on life of hospitality and grace doesn’t. Far from it and we have some stories of extraordinary things happening through such hands-on life. But changing the wind…
greenbelt