Approximately 600 Presbyterians have gathered in Atlanta this week for the 2016 National Gathering of NEXT church.
Meeting Monday through Wednesday (Feb. 22-24, 2016) at the First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, the gathering is focusing on “Faith at the Crossroads,” and includes worship services, keynote speakers, workshops and fellowship.
On Tuesday morning, the Rev. Lori Raible of Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian in Charlotte, N.C. and the Rev. Andrew Foster Connors of Brown Memorial Park Ave Presbyterian in Baltimore, Md., both leaders in the organization gave an update on NEXT.
“When we started the gathering our goal was not to create space to make sure we all agree,” said Raible, “but through a variety of diverse speakers and conversations our perceptions are challenged about the work of the church and our positions in that work and ultimately, who God is.”
NEXT was founded on the conviction that “we believe that God is active in the world and we are called to be a part of that action,” said Connors. “If the church is going to be a part of what God is doing in the world then we have to pay attention to how we are all in relationship with each other, because the church is — in essence — God’s people in relationship with a purpose.”
The conference participants were told that NEXT is more than a national gathering: “We are about more than talking.”
Realizing that “we need to do what we say at NEXT Church,” Raible said that the leadership team set a “new diversity benchmark with a goal of being 50 percent non-white by 2017.” Currently, NEXT has a racial diversity of 30 percent.
Last year, they said, NEXT partnered with other organizations to host a retreat at Montreat Conference Center for 150 newly ordained people, partnered with the Board of Pensions to host a second web site specifically geared toward the newly ordained in the church, held five regional gatherings and just completed a national listening campaign, hearing from nearly 500 leaders in the country through 50 small gatherings.
In other news, the organization has received a grant to explore the question “How do we measure the faithfulness and success of ministry in both traditional and experimental settings?”
A fund-raising pitch was also given.
“Last year we raised $118,000 which covered an amazing director, a creative part time specialist, a dynamic young adult volunteer, an awesome web site, a Beyonce soundtrack and a case of Miller Lite,” they said
The money came from 30 congregations and 50 individuals. “We need your support. We need to be able to continue not only the national gathering, but the great work of revitalizing our relationships with the conviction of God is at work among us. Plus you all know how expensive Miller Lite is.”
“As long as our denomination is in transition we know that there will be work for us to do,” said Raible,” and we just need some help doing it. We need you to invest.”
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I always get a good chuckle when elements of the denominational new Left gather. With each one trying to out-hip, out-cool, out-radical, out-outrage the other. I am sure if they gave the Sanders campaign a heads-up, they could pander to that crowd as well, Opps, he does have his issues relating to black people, never mind.
Since about 1975 the UPC/PCUSA has lost an average of around 140-145 people a day, 24/7/365. So in the 3 or 4 days of the Next gathering, about 600 less PCUSA types will be around to care or listen to this nonsense. Saw that Heath was there as well, so Gradye is on terminal leave, using up his vacation days?
From other web postings the folks there are seeming to have a good time. Plenty of opportunity to demonize police and public safety. Hear from the latest musings of known atheists, and generally pray for the matches to burn down the house. Well, sorry to break the news the house is already on fire. See what happens when you play with matches. I think one and all can feel the “burn”.
Enjoy the great decline and collapse. Might as well have free pizza and beer.
I often wonder if we can, or ever will, get past our preoccupation with the color of a person’s skin or their gender and become the people of God? You see and hear it everywhere. Too, people use it as either a chip on their shoulder or a baseball bat with which to gain leverage. The color and gender preoccupation is everywhere – especially in the media.
With the PCUSA losing membership because of apostasy, sin and wickedness,the Pcusa is turning to the JV team,to make up for the loss which will not work, never has, never will. With over 50 million babies slaughtered, what makes anyone think God will continually bless this nation when the church is silent to protect the unborn. This nation will pay the price at the right time in God’s timing.
Instead of making racial quotas their goal, wouldn’t it be something if NEXT’s actual purpose was to share Jesus Christ with the lost (Beyonce soundtrack optional – or not at all)?
600 members. 30% non white = 200.
To achieve their goal of 50% non-white, the easiest way is to throw out 200 whites. Then they will have 400 members, with 200 non-whites. 50% achieved! and a statistical triumph.
Seriously – declarations like that are inherently prejudicial. Will NEXT only seek non-white members? Will they turn away whites? Are whites not worthy of their ministry?
Please – stop looking at the world through race-colored lenses.
**I often wonder if we can, or ever will, get past our preoccupation with the color.**
Using the race card to stir up things, meaning, diversion works since those using the race card are the bigots, the narrow minded, the paranoid using satanic tactics blaming others for their mess, and in the end, the same will be in
the lake of fire. Rev. chapters 20 and 21. To those race baiters, have a nice eternity.
NEXT Church and other similar organizations like it in the Presbyterian Church (USA) have had so much success getting the denomination to grow with white members, that they want to apply the same techniques to get the denomination to grow even more with non-white members.
Peter, you see it as dying, we see it as rebirth and resurrection. May the Lord be with you and us and all!
Why are the two NEXT leaders pictured in the story white? Shouldn’t one of them be non-white? That seems consistent with the quota being set.
OK, so if I buy into the current narrative provided by Next. The way the to rebirth and Resurrection is a path built upon victimization narratives, class and race grievance, and a policy platform line by line from 19th century socialist dialectics.
May God bless you in the way forward, and until we all get to that worker’s paradise, I like lite cream with my latte.
The way to rebirth and resurrection is in Christ, how we respond to that gift of grace may be different from one to another, as we go forward. Again, the Lord be with you in your life, and ministry – and may you find peace.
Now THERE is an important and essential goal for a church to sit around rumninating about!….. (that is sarcasm for those who might be clueless)
Racial-ethnic diversity is a good thing … but setting a numeric goal/quota seems, well, Pharisaical. Better to concentrate on the Gospel.
What gets measured gets done, Let’s live the gospel and not just talk it.
You perhaps have a very strange idea of what living the “Gospel” is. It is not measuring….or goals…or similar world based (I believe) preoccupations,
Maybe, but same goes for you – you may have a strange view of living the gospel from my perspective. Maybe you can be classified as “too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good” from my perspective? Also, you are very quick to jump on anyone who does not conform to your particular world view – are you not?
No…I would say that is exactly what you seem to be doing….
The world looks at color. The world tells us to look at color. The PCUSA now tells us that color is a prerequisite for proper worship. What color is Christianity? I want to go to heaven but need to make sure I’m looking through the right lens because I’m colorblind. Appreciate any help.