I really like this way of exploration, a bottom-up issue based way of exploring a whole host of issues, thoughts and wisdom out of praxis. I was challenged and encouraged by what was discussed. The only danger with this process – is that those who are charismatic in character tend to dominate, and there is a real danger in the emerging church – that there is a lot of talking – but how much doing. But on balance, I got a lot out of the one day – before the main weekend, which I did not attend as I needed a break. The day in Belfast was held in a mission church on a road dividing a unionist and catholic community – the murals on the walls were all about paramilitaries. As Jonny Baker opened in a time of reflective worship – a sectarian funeral walked by outside with a piper – which fused extremely well with what Jonny was doing in worship – it was one of those profound and moving moments where two different worlds hit head on – revealing a God of grace.

Spiritual community – some at the gathering felt that to call anything church was to render it to being a power discourse and one of institutionalisation, why not just live with a spiritual community?. That when we think of church – we think of the metaphor of the body – but neglect the idea of the bride of Christ. Therefore we tend to loose the focus on relationships, of shared spirituality, these get watered down into hierarchy, power, and institutionalisation. There is some truth in this, but I hold tightly to the idea of ekklesia as an alternative community, originally a playful construct of a community that includes those who are traditionally excluded – the poor, slaves, women, children – all had a voice – the imperfect visible church reflecting the kingdom of God. Rightly, a postmodern theological understanding of church is primarily about church as community – reflecting the nature of God as trinity.

Franciscan & Dominican models – One of the most fascinating talks – were by two Christian community workers aiming at reconciliation. One of these talked about the need to balance radicalness with accountability. One talked about contemporary forms of church reflecting the premodern models of St Francis and Dominic. These modelled radical communities who struggled with trad church, who desired to do something new, but at the same time, maintained accountability to the traditional church. In this way, they were able to balance radicalness with accountability. He talked of the essential nature of the church in diversity but reflecting its one-ness if it is going to be sustainable. For me, there were many resonances with what Moot is trying to do by drawing on new monasticism in the way it has a rhythm of life, exploring a yearly aspiration service with the Bishop, and seeking to balance worship, mission and community.

Ikon – I have really enjoyed hanging out with the Ikon crew and attending a Sunday gathering at their new home in the Black Box in Belfast and also an art gallery in the waterfront. They are a very radical group, and I have enjoyed getting to know Cazi, Cary more in particular – knowing Pete & Padraig well already. What has fascinated me is about how they are exploring what they are doing. Those who know me well, know my fascination with the way that God makes church out of anything we tend to do if it has some longevity. Many of us have started doing new forms of worship with no ambition to make church, but as services became established communities became embedded and before you knew it – you were doing mission as well – or God was challenging you to engage with elements of worship, mission and community (which together makes church) when no one was thinking this way. Groups that don’t face up to this ‘IS’ tend not to survive. For me – it is a given – that God will make church whether you start with worship, mission or community whether you like it or not, or it will, on the whole, not survive. It seems to me that Ikon has started with radical and creative mission through its monthly Sunday gatherings of people who are and are not Christian. It is contextual and pretty unique in the way it does mission – and it is not even thought of as mission – but for me it profoundly is. It now has a developing community, exploring how it builds intentional community – and also forms of worship – as Padraig explores doing something using a taize style. I think once you accept that God seeks to build a Christian spiritual community out of what you are doing, then it is easier on you!! I really enjoy Ikon, and the freedom and honesty there is in what they do. Its a shame the pond seperates us, as I would love to hang out here more.

Hanging Out - Our dear Brother Mark McCleary has put me up for over a week - he is a star. I am off this evening to the North Coast with Aaron to check 0ut things up there and to catch up with Si Johnston, before returning...... I am not rushing back!!