21st Century Disciples proved to be a superb day conference. Bishop Graham Cray spoke for almost four hours in total, giving us an incarnational model of mission that chimed with much of the way I've been thinking of late. His biblical contextualization helped provide a framework for us to be disciples in Scotland in the here and now. Jesus is both Saviour and Lord, but he is a Lord unlike others. He is not one amongst many: He is The Lord. Bishop Graham contrasted and compared the world of the 1st century and our world. Consumerism, fame, money and power were all issues then too. Part of our discipleship is to work within that framework, but to subvert the systems which seek to shape us. I think it left me with a renewed confidence that the Gospel is effective - it works! Too many of (even in church leadership) have lost such confidence. The whole thing was a powerful call to witness and mission which left me with a feeling that we might need to offer this course to the whole congregation. It was such a good platform for what will happen as we take part in the Gibson Street Festival tomorrow.
I asked Bishop Graham my burning question of the day: ' What are you listening to at the moment?' He was delighted to be asked this, because he is an aficianado of all things 'rock'. The National and Arcade Fire featured heavily, as did a gig to see Neil Young play in a field. I could barely contain my excitement - a bishop who likes the same music I do. I don't even have friends who like the same music I do! He becomes my second favourite bishop. At the end of the conference, as he departed, he made a point of telling me, 'I forgot to mention The Hold Steady'. He rawks!
lol! Dare one ask who your number one favourite bishop is (Surely not ++Jensen?!)? ++Desmond Tutu looked very funky boogieing about in a football top at the World Cup!
Recently discovered The Hold Stead - essentially a Springsteen tribute act, but 'Hurricane J' is superb. New Arcade Fire album in August! (Incidently, I saw Neil Young in concert when I was still in school, so surely qualify as an honorary Dad Rock dinosaur ;-))
Posted by: ryan | 19 June 2010 at 10:07 PM
who's your first favourite bishop?
Posted by: lynn | 19 June 2010 at 11:09 PM
++Akinola?
Posted by: ryan | 20 June 2010 at 10:10 AM