By Becky Garrison

In the fall of 2010, I set off to tour the United States talking up Jesus Died for This? while researching a book exploring Episcopal ministries who are reaching those not reached by traditional churches. These recent pilgrimages have allowed me to witness an explosion of global grassroots communities exploring what it means to be the church in the twenty-first century. My initial observations indicate there is a strong desire to move away from the attractional model of church that’s looking for the next big thing—“If we build something cool, they will come”—in order to go deeper, much deeper.

When I visited these communities, I noticed how these communities appeared to be diverse than what one found in more traditional mainline and progressive evangelical/emergent communities. In fact, about half of these communities were led by women, with a number of them led by women of color. Also, LGBT people could be found in all levels of leadership.

Come join me for an online webinar on January 17 at 8pm as we explore what we can learn from these communities’ stories that can be applied to other faith-based gatherings that seek to walk the walk in terms of radical inclusivity.

“Ancient Future Disciples: Meeting Jesus in Mission Shaped Ministries”

Online Webinar
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
08:00 – 09:00pm EST
Event Price: $14.99

Religious satirist, author, Washington Post and Guardian Newspaper blogger and commentator Becky Garrison shares from her new book Ancient Future Disciples: Meeting Jesus in Mission Shaped Ministries. Where most books focus on the pioneers who founded these congregations, Garrison shifts to focus on the people on the ground: what drew them to the community, why they come back and how they understand themselves to be “church.” In the process, she reveals wisdom around evangelism, Christian formation and discipleship that every congregation can use to flourish in this postmodern age.

To sign up for this online webinar, click here. For more information contact Gregg Carlson.

Excerpts from Ancient Future Disciples can be found at Killing the Buddha and the Burnside Writers Collective.

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Image Flickr enricozara