So we will be meeting at O’kanes (back part of McMenamins) at 7:00pm tonight for our monthly catch up and conversation. Should be a really good conversation as there is lots going on with each of us and it’ll be good to be able to support each other in all this.
The question for the evening (thanks to Bob) is the following:
Phyllis Tickle’s new book, The Great Emergence, raises the question of where authority lies in the new emerging transition we are now in.
The protestant Reformation set Scripture as the final authority, and that has been the case for the last few hundred years.
(remember before that it was the Pope, not scripture, that had the final authority on earth for ALL Christians.)
So, the topic I would like to tee up is: where does authority lie if we are open to interpreting the scripture in a post modern perspective,
and thus may have many differing understandings of just what Scripture is telling us?
(for example, the role of women as teaching Pastors in the church. Some think this is natural and how Jesus lived it, and some think that The Bible says it is not ok.)
Hope to see you there,
Nate
About Nate
Currently, Nate is living in Bend, OR, working as the co-founder for VillageWorks (celebrating abundance | creative connectivity) and the singular Bend|OR advocate of BridgeWorks (an educational 501[c]3). He is connecting and holding space for an emerging community of people, young and old, who are seeking to grow into more sustainable and mature relationships… with self, community and God. The vision on his heart is one of giving people experience of village culture and practice.
Nate can be found connecting people through at The Hub, VillageWorks’ Central Oregon community connection center (www.rockthevillage.com) and making oven pancakes for the biggest regular “village” breakfast in Bend every Saturday morning at 9:30.
Nate went to Bethel College in St Paul, MN (’03), got his BA in Youth Ministry, completed his Masters in Divinity at Bethel Seminary (’06) with an emphasis in Spiritual Formation, and is currently pursuing a certificate in Spiritual Formation at George Fox Seminary in Portland. His hope is to continue to pursue community spiritual formation within the framework of the neighborhood conversation and cross-cultural dialog.
Nate has been connecting people into more authentic community in Bend | OR since June ’07. Since day one of his arrival, Nate has been gifted with the chance to listen and learn about the culture and people of Central Oregon. Because of his passion for conversation and community, he has fallen in love with the people of this wonderful city and is committed to the growth of more intentional and transformational community.
Nate’s particular areas of interest are:
* conversational transformation
* spiritual formation
* relational mentoring and counseling
* small group strengthening
* men’s work (spiritual, emotional, and relational)
* “Village Knowledge” of homecraft, live food, etc
* Intergenerational community
* New visions of the gifts we offer to the community
* teaching for the 21st century, and more.
At this time Nate has not written any books, but hopes to some day have enough material to put into some type of publication. At this point, he is dedicated to building relationships in Bend, Central Oregon, and across the United States to connect people to what is happening in an emerging and evolving paradigm and with those who are seeking to follow God and live more authentically in the transforming presence of the divine.
