A Missional Opportunity
Several years ago, when I first came across the Emergent conversation (though it was not called Emergent then), I was excited by the what I saw as the promising possibility for the future of faith and missions. As I attempted to engage the budding dialogue I found it extreme difficult. I continued to press in, but soon realized the core of the difficulty: being part of a (so called) “para-church” organization, I was kindly told that this was a discussion for pastors & churches. I was frustrated, but settled from exploring from a distance.
Much has happened since, with many relational and organizational doors opening for involvement (namely the support of Resonate.ca and many other local emergent voyageurs), but there still remains an unfortunate distance for those of us outside of the “traditional church” groups. It has, however, challenged me to explore what place groups such as ours has in this emergent journey. Throughout this process, my conviction that we have an essential and unique role to play has only strengthened.
While the larger issue of the non-congregational expressions of the Church in the emergent journey is an important one to discuss (perhaps a future post here), I want to explore one specific aspect. For those of you who are unaware, my wife & I are the founding Co-Directors of Youth With A Mission Urban Ministries Winnipeg (YWAM UMW) a “missional community committed to purposefully and passionately training, involving and serving people in our pursuit of Christ-likeness, both locally & globally”. Our homes & ministries are located in the inner city neighbourhood of Winnipeg’s West End, our emphasis guided by the realities of communities- justice, racism, development, community, etc.
Our DTS begins every January in the heart of Winnipeg’s West End community. The mission house, a notorious, now-restored gang house, is the hub for the 3 month lecture & local praxis phase. In the context of intentional community, students and staff engage in spiritual formation including: lecture, group discussion, local outreach/volunteering, etc.
What makes this DTS unique is its emphasis. Situated in the center of a deeply wounded (though beautiful) neighbourhood, participants are challenged to explore and engage in a faith that cannot ignore the realities of injustice- poverty, racism, unchecked materialism. They are given the chance to experiment in responding with a fuller expression of the Gospel.
Students & staff are all required to live in the neighbourhood, having a wonderful mix of neighbour. Within a block of the house several distinct cultural groups have settled, including First Nations, Eritrean, Ethopian, Vietnamese, etc. Additionally, while never at risk, the realities of poverty are present on the block as well- prostitutes, dealers, neo-Nazis, etc. Students take their meals at the local Ellice Cafe, a restaurant created by local church, New Life Ministries, allowing them to build relationships with the people in the community.
The final two months are spent on an international outreach where student begin to develop a richer, global worldview. Again, exploring and experimenting in evangelism that may seem “untraditional”, our teams are able to work alongside seasoned missionaries and Christians by preaching the Gospel in deed, as well as word. Our last team spent their outreach rebuilding the tsunami devastated island of Phi Phi in southern Thailand.
While we truly believe in our intentionally emergent emphasis in this school, we have struggled to communicate this to our (generally) Evangelical applicants. Our desire is to see passionate and purposeful young Christians leave our program with a deeper, truer relationship with God and others, ready to serve in their local churches and communities. However, we have found it challenging to get the word out to the right people.
I would ask that you prayerfully consider if you would be able to help us get the word out. Our next school begins on January 9th, 2006, and we would still like to see more applicants in the near future. To get to know who we are, what the DTS is about, check out the following links:
Note: With all the legitimate discussion about the dangers of marketing in the context of our faith, I have been hesitant to post on this topic. However, with consideration, I feel strongly that my motivation is out of sincere belief in the program and that it speaks to the heart of the emergent journey.
