wfn.org | ABCUSA: "God's New Thing" Is Focus of "Can You See It?" Conference

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (8/28/02)--Nearly 600 American Baptists from
43 states gathered at National Ministries' "Can You See It?" conference in
Colorado Springs Aug. 11-14 to search for God's "new thing."  

The conference was supported by NEW LIFE 2010 and hosted by the American
Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains.

Under a theme based on Isaiah 43:19--"I am about to do a new thing...do you
not perceive it?"-- the conference catalyzed a group of people who believe
that God is not yet done with the church or the world.   Attendees met to
hear challenging words from plenary speakers and to share stories of change
and new directions in their churches.

"This conference was really about focusing on God's 'new thing,'" said Dr.
Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, executive director of National Ministries.
"It was about taking a look at where we are as a denomination and asking,
'In what new ways is God beginning to act?' and 'What's required of us in
times of change-as individuals, regions and a national body?'"
	
Plenary speakers told about changes they are seeing and also underscored the
importance of Christians responding positively to change. Some used terms
like "postmodernism" and "second Reformation" to summarize large-scale
changes happening in church and culture.  God's "new thing" really is many
different "things," they noted, emphasizing the importance of the sharing of
each person's perspective.

"There is an inherent tension between holding on and letting go," said
keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems, professor of biblical studies
at Vanderbilt University. "On one level we want to celebrate new beginnings,
but we also want to hang on to what's familiar.  Learning to deal with
endings is as important as preparing for beginnings.  We need to reach the
place where we can pray, 'Thy will-in spite of me-be done.' "

The Rev. Dr. Kirk Jones, professor at Andover Newton Theological School,
recited a list of the "new things" in Scripture-new covenant, new wine-and
then declared, "God's got a newness obsession."  He called becoming
"changing, changeful people" a "sacred challenge" that lies before
Christians.

Dr. Tony Campolo, well-known educator, sociologist, speaker and author,
agreed.  Referring to Matthew 13:52, he made the point that the kingdom of
heaven includes both old and new. "If we don't make room for the new stuff,
we're in trouble," he said.

Speaking of Jesus' healing of the blind man in Mark 8, the Rev. Yamina
Apolinaris, former executive minister of the Iglesias Bautistas de Puerto
Rico (Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico), said, "Too often we lose our sight,
not overnight, but little by little. We need a transforming touch from the
One who doesn't get tired of giving new possibilities, who once again is
willing to touch and heal and forgive."

Other plenary speakers included the Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray, former
American Baptist Churches USA president and a faculty member and campus
minister at Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee; Ms. Karen Simons, senior
church consultant with Union Baptist Association, Houston; the Rev. A. Roy
Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA; and
Wright-Riggins.

A selection of 19 workshop ranged from "Soul Searching the Millennial
Generation" led by the Rev. Dr. Dave Overholt to "How to Mobilize Church
Volunteers," a session concerned with implementing every-member ministries
led by Dr. Marlene Wilson.

The conference offered a strong emphasis on worship.  On two mornings those
attending could choose from six styles of worship: praise, gospel,
traditional, taizi, charismatic and labyrinth.  Attendees also  could find
inspiration from art exhibits or walk the prayer labyrinth laid out on the
floor of the hotel's atrium.

Music for plenary sessions was led by a praise team who had gathered from
different geographic locations.   The final session concluded with a concert
by well-known Christian musician Ken Medema.

As the conference neared its end the emphasis shifted from questioning -
"Can You See It?" - to affirmation.  "We do hope that people left with the
affirmation 'I can see it!'" said Wright-Riggins.  "And we pray they have
been stretched in large and small ways and that this experience will help
them serve in new areas."

The Rev. Asbury Jones, executive director of Nehemiah Urban Ministries in
Sacramento, said, "I came to Colorado Springs because it seemed like a great
opportunity to network with other people in terms of economic development
and practical hands-on ministry. I work with an urban ministry that
dispatches college students across the country to work with inner-city kids
and the homeless and lots of other programs."

Wright-Riggins noted that many who attended, like Jones, were clergy and lay
leaders who are in a position to become change agents in their places of
ministry.  "They'll be able to go back and implement what they've learned in
their churches and ministries," he said.  "I believe this conference will
bear fruit for years to come."

To see conference highlights visit www.can-u-see-it.org.  Audiocasettes of
plenary presentations and workshop sessions at $3 each may be ordered by
calling 1-800-ABC-3USA/x2464.

02ABN128

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (610)768-2077; fax:
(610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org; richard.schramm@abc-usa.org