So many things to talk about—so little time! I’ve been thinking of all the conversations going on around me—and in my own head sometimes. There are countless books to read, news to scan, websites and blogs to visit, podcasts to download and listen to, videos to watch… Information overload!
With all of it, my tendency is to feel overwhelmed and burdened down—to have a mind that is cluttered and unfocused. How do I decide what is really important? Which conversations to engage?
Sometimes, I just need to unwind—catch a movie with my wife, watch some sports on TV, check out my fantasy baseball team, shoot some baskets with my daughters.
I like talking about lots of things…
But as I think about the conversations that really interest me right now—three of them rise to the surface. They continue to draw me in…
A Conversation about Church
What does it look like for a group of people to form around Jesus—to live as a vibrant community with Jesus as the head?
What does it mean to be Christ’s church? What are the essential DNA, the understandings and practices of the church of Christ? In what ways is this being lived out in the real world around me? What difference is it making in the lives of Christians and the world around these Christians? What are the stories—what does this look like?
A Conversation about Mission
What does it look like to follow Jesus on mission?
What is Jesus doing in our world? In what ways can we join Jesus in his mission? In what ways can we incarnate Christ and engage real people around us with the gospel of Christ? How is that going? What are stories of people on mission?
I’m especially interested in mission among and to those who are “unreached” and even “unreachable” by normal Christian churches (traditional approaches). I’m especially interested in those who are separated by too much cultural distance to have a meaningful encounter with Christ and the gospel in typical, traditional churches. I wonder how many people are interested in Jesus–but not able to have a meaningful encounter with him in existing churches.
Of course, I’m interested in this conversation regarding mission in Mexico—reaching those who are unreached in my region. I’m also interested in this conversation regarding mission among unreached people in the U.S.
A Conversation about Jesus and Following Him
What does it look like to follow Jesus and be transformed by him?
Who is Jesus and what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? For sometime I’ve been especially intrigued with Jesus’ words: “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21). I’m interested in practicing this individually and with others. I’m interested in the questions: “What are we hearing from God?” and “In what ways are we responding?” I’m impressed with how conversations around these questions are usually vibrant and transformational.
These three conversations have my sustained attention lately. I’m especially interested—especially listening.
Posted by chaddsch 
