Paddle Always
Welcome to the journey.
This site is dedicated to exploring the uncharted waters of faith in our postmodern world. Our hope is that this be an open forum to explore, to question and to learn. Though open to all aspects of the dialogue, we are also hoping to engage the concepts from a Canadian perspective.
In the history of Canada, few people better represented the adventurous, pioneering spirit than the voyaguers, the courier des bois. These brave explorers and fur traders traveled deep into the unknown wilderness, characterized by their insatiable curiousity and resilience. With uncommonly good relations with the First Nations (native peoples) and their familiarity with the regions thus far unmapped, they were indispensable as guides, translators and advisers.
In the same way, exploring faith in the postmodern world will require of us the same standard- we must be brave, curious, willing to face the dangers and risks inherent in this exploration. We must be characterized as people who can act as guides, translators and advisers to those coming after us. We must be known for our ability to relate to the "natives" of the land, not as theological colonizers, but as servants and friends.
The patron saint of Canada, St. Jean de Brébeuf was martyred, along with many other early missionaries in Canada's history. In training the priests under his care, he once said:
This journey is worth making. We need to be real about the risks and dangers, but also confident about the richness of what we are certain to discover. I look forward to where this will lead us.
Jamie Arpin-Ricci
author of "Looking Forward"
This site is dedicated to exploring the uncharted waters of faith in our postmodern world. Our hope is that this be an open forum to explore, to question and to learn. Though open to all aspects of the dialogue, we are also hoping to engage the concepts from a Canadian perspective.
In the history of Canada, few people better represented the adventurous, pioneering spirit than the voyaguers, the courier des bois. These brave explorers and fur traders traveled deep into the unknown wilderness, characterized by their insatiable curiousity and resilience. With uncommonly good relations with the First Nations (native peoples) and their familiarity with the regions thus far unmapped, they were indispensable as guides, translators and advisers.
In the same way, exploring faith in the postmodern world will require of us the same standard- we must be brave, curious, willing to face the dangers and risks inherent in this exploration. We must be characterized as people who can act as guides, translators and advisers to those coming after us. We must be known for our ability to relate to the "natives" of the land, not as theological colonizers, but as servants and friends.
The patron saint of Canada, St. Jean de Brébeuf was martyred, along with many other early missionaries in Canada's history. In training the priests under his care, he once said:
"Do not begin to paddle unless you intend always to paddle."
This journey is worth making. We need to be real about the risks and dangers, but also confident about the richness of what we are certain to discover. I look forward to where this will lead us.
Jamie Arpin-Ricci
author of "Looking Forward"
"We are embarked."
(Comment this)
I am part of a young church community (FaithWorks) in Winnipeg. I love what is happening, and while many of our problems and questions are as old as creation the old answers seem less and less adequate every day. Years of seminary and pastoral ministry have been valuable but have not exactly prepared me for the challenges I live with daily.
Recently I have been wrestling with the engagement of Christianity with other faiths particularly the dominant religion of good old Canadian what-ever-ism. The certainty in my heart regarding Jesus is undaunted, but I need conversation partners to wrestle with how to communicate a generous Christianity with post-Christian materialists. Following Jesus and sharing Jesus with people of other faiths seems much easier than communicating with people whose only God is their stomach, and because they appear to be so self satisfied, they seem to have few spiritual longings.
This is a bit of a impromptu response to your posting
What books have you been reading? Most recently I have been reading McLarens the last word and the word after that and Marilynne Robinsons Gilead and Beyond Words by Frederick Buechner and John Stackhouses can god be trusted
Thanks for beginning the conversation
Brother John (Comment this)
We are in the process of establishing a monastic community in downtown Calgary. Over the past 4 years I have been in relationship with friends over in UK/Europe called 24-7 Prayer. I have learned much from my peers out there and much of what we are walking out here in Calgary reflects the ancient historical roots in Europe (Celtic monasticism, Iona Community, Fransicans, and even the Desert Fathers of Egypt.)
Having spent some time in Europe hanging with the leaders of the post-christian emerging church I find that Canada much more reflects the post-Christian culture of Europe than the Church-centred culture in the US. For way too long we have mirrored our neighbours to the south of us (even the emerging church movement) it is time to chart our own journey in Canada and be open to what is spiritually happening at a global level that transcends regional culture.
The beauty of this voyage we are on is that there are many creative ways that spirituality will manifest in the post modern world. I am anticipating some pretty interesting dialogue and new expressions to evolve as we trek in our own cities sharing the fruit with one another as we abide with Jesus... (Comment this)
Thanks for going out for coffee with Wendy & I last year. We really appreciated your friendship and encouragement.
We're in B.C. now, as Mission Builders at the YWAM base here, until our CDTS next spring. Thought you'd like to hear how that part of our journey has turned out!
Paddling with you. (Comment this)