INDIANAPOLIS – Employing models of discourse proven to help large groups hear all voices, more than 6,000 Disciples gathered in Indianapolis July 29 to Aug. 2, for the General Assembly will share in a meaningful conversation of the whole as the church looks to its future.
The Wholeness Café takes place at the Assembly 2-5 p.m., July 30 at the Indiana Convention Center. Thousands of Disciples will sit in clusters of five to engage in face-to-face conversation designed to harvest the wisdom of the entire Assembly around the newly stated identity statement:
"We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us."
Participants in the discussions will pick a topic stemming from one of five questions selected by a survey of Disciples, move to a room for conversation around the question, then "harvest" what they learn in ways that can make the conversation visible to the whole community. Here’s a preview of topics:
Make disciples. What is alive in the Disciples story that compels us? How do we share that Good News as an invitation to participate and live in this "movement for wholeness?" (Speaker, Sharon Watkins). Exhibit Hall F-G.
Practice hospitality. What kind of Table does Jesus host, and what is expected of the guests? When has our congregation demonstrated its best Table manners? What have we learned from moments when access to the Table is limited? (Speaker, Nadine Burton). Sagamore Ballroom, Room 1-2.
Do justice. What are the key social justice challenges in our communities that require Disciples’ awareness, courage and action? How are Disciples making a difference on those issues? What else can we do? (Speaker, Preston Adams). Sagamore Ballroom, Room 3.
Build partnerships for mission. How do we share what we have and love each other enough to live God’s mission together? What has our journey together so far taught Disciples about how to sustain each other in God’s mission? What do we already know about doing full-on mission? (Speaker, Rebecca Hale). Sagamore Ballroom, Room 4.
Let the children come. What do children and youth know about faithfulness that we all need to learn? What do they want to learn about God? What is the church we dream of for these children and youth? (Speakers, Disciples youth Blaine Kuss and Alexandra Warfield, Disciples youth – and their grandparents). Sagmore Ballroom, Room 5, 6, and 7.
"Disciples voices matter in this conversation. They will be heard," said Watkins, general minister and president. "As we harvest what we learn from the conversation, their observations and those of their fellow Disciples will become part of the collective wisdom that will shape our work as a ‘Movement for Wholeness in a Fragmented World.’ "
Learn more about the Wholeness Café.
