Thanks so much for reading this month‘s news from The Initiative, a community committed to “walking in deeper friendship with Jesus and his followers, so that the love of Christ might exceed all divisions.” We do this primarily through prayer, sharing of our lives, and proactive work for greater unity.
This month, I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship: its gifts, expectations and challenges. We’re also introducing two new ways to connect with The Initiative on a regular basis. And the talks from the ASM conference are now on YouTube.
Friendship is a gift. But how much have we examined our experiences and expectations around the place of friendships in our lives? Or the way in which it grows love that’s greater than division?
New Ways to Connect
Starting this month, we’re introducing two new ways for folks to connect with The Initiative remotely on a regular basis.
One of those regular connections is an opportunity to pray together. “Praying daily for a radical increase of love in the whole body of Christ” is the first of three practices we use to live out our way of missional ecumenism. So once a month we’re going to start gathering on Zoom to pray – for a radical increase of love, and for other needs and intentions related to Jesus’ own prayer that all his followers would be one.
The first of these prayer times will be next Wednesday (August 13) from 8:00 until 9:00pm Eastern time, using this link. We’ll follow various forms of prayer to help us pray together. And you don’t need any experience in a particular style of prayer to pray with us. We’d love to have you join us!
If you would like to add them to your calendar, we’ll also be gathering to pray on the following Wednesdays, all at 8:00pm Eastern and all on the same Zoom channel:
- September 17
- October 15
- November 19
- December 17
The second way that we’ll be connecting monthly is through guided conversations together about something connected to our way and our practices. This is a great opportunity to deepen our friendships and share our wisdom and experiences with one another by exploring places where Christ’s love and the differences and divisions of the church intersect.
The first of these conversations will be Wednesday, September 11th from 8:00 until 9:30pm Eastern time using the same Zoom link. Our first conversation will be focused around a few questions about friendship: In our covenant, we commit to walking in deeper friendship with all of the followers of Jesus. But what are the limits of those friendships? And what expectations do we have for them? I believe those are some good places of tension that can form us in love as we talk about them together. So please consider joining us in a couple weeks!
Similarly, if you would like to add future conversations to your calendar, I’ve blocked off these Wednesdays, all at 8:00pm Eastern and (again) all on the same Zoom channel.
- October 1
- November 5
- December 3
The other conversation topics haven’t been set yet, so feel free to suggest some!
Resource of the Month: American Society of Missiology Videos
As I shared in the June update, there were some great keynote talks at the ASM conference at the end of that month. Those talks are now on their YouTube channel. Of course, I’d highly recommend our founder John Armstrong’s talk linked below:
But you should also take a listen to two other outstanding and challenging keynotes from the conference:
- Dr. William Gregory, president of the ASM – Reclaiming Christian Unity in the Theology of Mission
- Bishop Emilio Alvarez, Primate of the Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches – Recovering an Ortho-Missio: Reimagining Unity and Mission in an Age of World Christianity
As you transition from the summer into new things – a new academic year, a new season of work or life, a new place or routine, or perhaps just the new week or month – may each of you be graced with new friends (and old ones too!) and may you know and share the deep of love of the One who doesn’t call you a servant, but a friend (John 15).
Thanks as always for your attention, prayers, financial partnership – and especially your friendship.
Yours in Christ’s Love,
Scott Brill
Executive Director
