Discipleship Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Pl., Cordova, TN 38016901/276-4572; education@cumberland.org; www.cumberland.org/bceVol. 6, No. 2 Fall 2008

Have you felt as if there is something going on inthe church, that the ground is shifting? It is not yourimagination according to Phyllis Tickle, renownedauthor and speaker. We are in the midst of a refor-mation. Tickle believes that roughly every 500 yearsthere is a major shift in Judaism/Christianity. For ex-ample, the Protestant Reformation was 500 yearsago; approximately 500years before that wasthe Great Schism be-tween the Western andEastern churches.Mark Dyer, an Anglicanbishop known for his witas well as his wisdom,explains it this way, “Ev-ery 500 years thechurch feels compelledto have a giant rum-mage sale.”

What things are oc-curring right now? Youhave probably heard that in Western Europe hardlyanyone attends church. Does this mean that Chris-tianity is dying there? Absolutely not, states Tickle.Simply put, a new thing is happening in the faith lifethere. Many people are attending house churches.The United States normally lags 20 years behind whatis happening in Christianity elsewhere. Changes hap-pen first in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Contrary to popular belief, people are still Chris-

tian in the United Kingdom. However, the way peopleare forming Christian community has changed froma formal church setting to worshiping in small groups.Tickle spoke of the Fresh Expressions movement inthe UK. This movement is sponsored by the Churchof England and the Methodist Church. Their websiteasserts that, “It aims to help Christians of any de-

n o m i n a t i o nthink about ways ofstarting and growingfresh expressions ofchurch in their area. Afresh expression is aform of church for ourchanging culture, es-tablished primarily forthe benefit of peoplewho are not yet mem-bers of any church.”

The current reforma-tion is being called theEmergent Church. In

the next 25 years, more than 60% of Americans willbe in an emerging church. Currently, most denomi-nations fall into one of four categories: liturgical, char-ismatic, evangelistic, and social justice. (While de-nominations fall into a certain category, they oftenhave some characteristics of the other categories.)In an emerging church, all of these areas merge to-gether. In other words, charismatic churches will be-come more liturgical, evangelistic, and focused on

Preparing for the Future:The Emergent Church is Coming!

© istockphoto.com

social justice. We as Cumberland Presbyterians area liturgical church. If Tickle’s theory holds true, we willbecome more evangelical, charismatic, and focusedon social justice.

During the Protestant Reformation, people wereso insistent on change that they even broke all thestained-glass windows in the St. Giles Church inEdinburgh. They “threw the baby out with thebathwater.” This Emerging Reformation is embrac-ing the different streams of Christianity. We have theadvantage of knowing that we are going through agreat change, though it is still unsettling and difficult.

George Barna, founder of The Barna Group, amarket research firm specializing in studying the re-ligious beliefs and behavior of Americans, and theintersection of faith and culture supports this premise.In his newsletter dated January 7, 2008, he asserted,“Growing numbers of Christians in America are em-bracing a charismatic or Pentecostal point of view.Our latest study shows that more than 80 millionadults can be classified as charismatics.”

Nanette Sawyer,pastor of Wicker ParkGrace Church in Chi-cago, has opined that,“Very staid congrega-tions will be losingpeople to housechurches or emergingchurches.” GeorgeBarna forecasts that by2010 20 million Ameri-cans will have theirwhole spiritual experi-ence on the internet.

Tickle states that9%-13% of churcheswill actively resist the changes of this Emerging Ref-ormation. Many books and web pages are alreadyquestioning the emerging church movement. How-ever, such groups will keep us from moving tooquickly, according to Tickle.

The worst thing we can do is to deny the exist-ence of this movement. It exists whether we believeit or not. People are leaving mainstream churches indroves. How can churches remain relevant duringtimes of such change?

Be open to the older traditions of the church.Contemplative prayer, fasting, the gifts of the Holy Spirit,as well as other practices have been so long lost to the

Protestant church that they seem like new ideas.Emerging churches, for instance, are returning to

the practice of honoring the sabbath, which is muchmore than worshiping and resting on Sunday. It is atime to experience joy in our relationship with Godand to us focus on what is truly of consequence inour lives. Honoring the sabbath helps us to invokethe mystery of God within our beings.

Continue to tell the stories of our faith. Thereare about two generations of people who have notheard the Bible stories with which many of us grewup. Do not assume that because people are involvedin church that they know these stories. They may havecome seeking a connection with God, but be bibli-cally illiterate.

Be prepared to help people on their spiritualjourney. People are hungering to know more aboutthe mystery of God. They are searching for spiritualmeaning in their lives. They desire to hear the story ofGod without doctrine. People are not being drawn to

churches because ofprograms, accordingto Tickle. Plain andsimple—they desirethe good news of JesusChrist and the indwell-ing of the Holy Spirit.

The good news isthat the church willnever cease to exist.During such times, thechurch will regroupand spread Christian-ity to people who havenever before heardthe gospel.

God is doing a new thing in the church. It will hap-pen whether or not we are prepared for it. We cannotturn back the tide. Let us be open to where the HolySpirit is leading the Cumberland PresbyterianChurch.

If you want to read more about the emergentchurch, look for Phyllis Tickle’s new book, The GreatEmergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why,which will be available in October.

Written by Sherry Ladd, Christian education consultant and pastorof Swan and Santa Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Churches.

© Eliza Snow

Risking Ourselves TotallyRisking Ourselves TotallyRisking Ourselves TotallyRisking Ourselves TotallyRisking Ourselves TotallyDiscovering New Ways to Do Sunday School

Make your plans now to attend the Christian Education Conference on November 4-7, 2008, at St.Columba Conference Center, Memphis, TN. This bi-annual conference will offer workshops, seminars, key-note presentations by MTS professor Virginia Lee. There will also be the opportunity to fellowship andnetwork with Cumberland Presbyterians who share some of the same issues and concerns as you.

Everyone is welcome to attend, but pastors, elders, members of Christian education agencies inpresbyteries and congregations, Sunday school teachers and leaders, etc. are particularly encouraged toparticipate.

Visit www.cumberland.org/bce to access registration information, or call the Discipleship Ministry Team(901-276-4572, ext. 202) or Cumberland Presbyterian Church in American (256-536-7481). The deadlinefor accepting registrations is October 17, 2008.

The 2007 General Assembly adopted Evange-lism as a 5-year priority for the church. The Disciple-ship and Missions Ministry Teams are working jointlyto help congregations claim the call to be “witnessesin Judea and Samaria and the ends of the earth.”

For just $25 each you can send teachers, pas-tors, elders, outreach ministry team members, andothers. Leaders can select the specific track that re-lates to their particular role. The miniversity will be-gin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 1:00 p.m.

Track IFor elders, pastors, and planners of outreach

ministry to:• Explore the meaning of evangelism;• Discover the role of the church in a ministry ofliving and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christas Lord;• Identify and practice ways in which the church canfulfill its call to do evangelism in its cultural context;and,• Affirm God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to empower usfor the calling to be evangelists.

Track IIFor teachers, directors of Christian education,

youth ministers, and other Christian education lead-ers to:• Explore the meaning of evangelism;

Alabama: Birmingham—Mar. 7; Scottsboro—Feb. 28

Arkansas: Russellville—Feb. 21; Hot Springs—Mar. 7

Florida: Valrico—Feb. 28

Indiana: Chandler—Mar. 7

Kentucky: Bowling Green—Feb. 21; Paducah—Mar. 14

Mississippi: Columbus—Feb. 21

Missouri: Springfield—Feb. 28

New Mexico: Albuquerque—Mar. 7

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City—Feb. 28

Tennessee: Brentwood—Feb. 28; Chattanooga—Feb. 21; McKenzie—Feb. 21; Memphis—Mar. 14;Powell—Mar. 14; Winchester—Mar. 14

Texas: Marshall—Mar. 7; Odessa—Feb. 21; Austin—Mar. 14; Burleson—Mar. 7

Evangelism Miniversity: Coming to a Church Near YOU in 2009!• Discover the role of the teacher in living and shar-ing the good news;• Identify a variety of ways in which teachers/lead-ers can fulfill their call to do evangelism in Chris-tian education settings; and,• Affirm God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to empower usfor the calling to be evangelists.

Here’s What’s Working for . . .

What’s Working for YOUR Church?Tell us about the positive things happening in your church. Send your ideas to Cindy Martin, 8207 Traditional

Pl., Cordova, TN 38016 or by e-mail to chm@cumberland.org. We’d love to hear from you!

The Union City CPC, Union City, TN, has a spe-cial prayer time on Tuesday nights. A few people gatherin the chapel to pray for one another and for others.They treat prayer requests with the greatest degree ofconfidentiality. These people pray expectantly and faith-fully, believing that God can and will answer their prayers.This group of people functions as a small group. Thepastor says that if the group were to become larger,they would form other groups so that the blessing ofspiritual intimacy could be maintained.

The youth of White Oak Pond CPC, Lebanon,MO, are participating in the Amazing Bible Race,which is an 18-month trek through the Bible, dividedinto 12 legs of 6 weeks each. Five days a week, theyouth read 2-4 chapters from the Bible and take adaily quiz on-line, where they earn points for theirteam. There is a weekly challenge, with the chanceof earning additional points. An occasional “fast for-ward” gives a learning opportunity through an activityor service. The two teams at White Oak Pond arecompeting with 667 other teams around the world.At the end of this 12-leg race, the publisher will awardprizes to the winning team(s). For more information,visit www.amazingbiblerace.com.

As part of their recognition of Christian Educa-tion Season, the Brenthaven CPC, Brentwood,TN, hosted a book fair. Many people purchasedbooks to donate to the church library, but books werealso available for personal use or for gifts. The pro-ceeds from the sale of the books were used to fundthe church’s library.

Faith CPC, Bartlett, TN, participates in the Mem-phis Interfaith Hospitality Network (MIHN). Twice eachyear the church houses families (for one week) whoare temporarily homeless and who are without jobs.The church tries to make the rooms, meals, etc. ashome-like as possible. The church is responsible forthree meals a day, offering a cold breakfast, sacklunch, and a hot meal at night. The church provides

hosts/hostesses for meals, and two persons stayovernight with the families while they are living at thechurch. The MIHN agency, which screens the persons sentto the church, provides cots, pillows and transportation.A maximum of fourteen persons may stay at eachchurch. Showers are available at the church and thechurch is responsible for providing towels and sheets. During the day the children attend schools or arein day care at the church where the MIHN offices arelocated. The parents receive assistance in securingjobs and finding housing they can afford.

The families do not stay the entire week if theyfind a job and housing while there. We feel this is avaluable ministry that our church can provide the com-munity. It requires a number of people in the churchwho are willing to contribute their time, prepare meals,do laundry, and other tasks that may be needed dur-ing the week.

Silverdale CPC, Chattanooga, TN, hosts aFamily Game Night on the 4th Sunday of each month,dismissing evening worship. The church budget helpsto offset the cost of the meal (which volunteers pre-pare). After the meal everyone spends about an hourplaying different games. Forty to fifty people partici-pate in this intergenerational time of fellowship.

Beersheba CPC, Columbus, MS, sponsoreda drive-in movie night for the children of the congre-gation. Children were invited to ride their bicycles,power vehicles, or electric scooters to the fellowshiphall where they watched a movie and enjoyed refresh-ments.

The Donelson CPC, Nashville, TN, offered aclass for youth who were wanting to explore their faith.They met on Sunday nights and used Journey of Faithfor their study resource. After their study time, thegroup enjoyed a fellowship outing of some type. Theclass was so well received that they are now offeringit for adults.

Opening Doors to Discipleship is a series of three courses in the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition to helpteachers and leaders equip themselves to be faithful teachers and leaders. Once you register with this site, youwill have access to all three courses.

The three courses are:

• Course A: Teaching Skills• Course B: Bible Background• Course C: Presbyterian/Reformed Faith (to be released Fall, 2008)

Each course has 12 sessions that should, ideally, be done with a Learning Group from your own congregation.

The courses address questions like these:

• How can I tell a story and use activities in such a gripping way that my students long to be disciples ofChrist?

• How can I communicate the broad sweep of biblical stories so that learners yearn to enter them?• How can I speak with passion and enthusiasm about the particular “flavor” of Christianity which we

identify as Presbyterian/Reformed?

Being DisciplesJesus said to a group of followers, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know thetruth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31b-32)

For those of us who try our best to be disciples—followers—of Jesus, is that not what we long for?

We want to know what is true and how to live truthfully.

We want freedom from worry, stress, guilt, hatred, guns on the street, war.

We want this for ourselves. We want it for the people we teach, for family members and friends we love. Wewant this freedom for the world.

Site sponsorshipOpening Doors to Discipleship: Teacher Training Online is sponsored by five denominations in North America:

* The Cumberland Presbyterian Church * The Moravian Church in America * Presbyterian Church (USA) * The Presbyterian Church in Canada * The Reformed Church in America

There is no cost for members of these five denominations to use this program.Instructions:

Opening Doors to Discipleshipopeningdoorstodiscipleship.com

Instructions:Go to openingdoorstodiscipleship.com; access the home page. Click on Login.Enter the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Login Number 14549. Follow theinstructions and begin the session!

Souperbowl of Caring is a national movement of con-gregations, schools, community organizations and com-passionate individuals caring for others on Super Bowlweekend. Souper Bowl of Caring equips and mobilizesyouth to positively impact their communities by collect-ing money or food on or near Super Bowl weekend. 100%of the collections are donated directly to the charity ofeach group’s choice.

Souperbowl of Caring believes:• The idea for the Souper Bowl of Caring is a gift

from God• Young people have the ability to serve and should

be given opportunities to lead their communities in help-ing others

• Every dollar collected through the Souper Bowl ofCaring should be donated directly to a charity selectedby each participating group

• People of all backgrounds and beliefs can worktogether

• Hunger and poverty have a negative impact on in-dividuals and the communities in which they live, yetthere is joy in serving and giving to those in need

• The excitement and energy surrounding the SuperBowl can be used to engage young people in servicewhile producing lasting hope for all people

Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer:“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game,help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl ofsoup to eat” is inspiring a youth-led movement to helphungry and hurting people around the world.

This prayer, delivered by Brad Smith, then a semi-

nary intern serving at Spring Valley Presbyterian Churchin Columbia, SC, gave birth to an idea. Why not useSuper Bowl weekend, a time when people come togetherfor football and fun, to also unify the nation for a highergood: collecting dollars and canned food for the needy?Youth could collect donations at their schools andchurches in soup pots, and then send every dollar di-rectly to a local charity of their choice.

The senior high youth of Spring Valley Presbyterianliked the idea so much they decided to invite other areachurches to join the team. Twenty-two Columbiachurches participated that first year, reporting their re-sults so a total could be determined, and then sendingall $5,700 they had raised to area non-profits.

That was 1990. Since then, ordinary young peoplehave generated an extraordinary $41 million for soupkitchens, food banks and other charities in communi-ties across the country. In addition, hundreds of thou-sands of youth have experienced for themselves the joyand satisfaction of giving and serving, inspiring peopleof all ages to follow their generous example.

Youth SundayMark your calendar now! The General Assembly has designated February 15 as a time for congrega-

tions to celebrate young people as a part of the church’s ministry and to experience their leadership andwitness. Often youth provide leadership for worship, Sunday school, and music. Planning materials as wellas suggestions for scripture, music, and drama will be included in the youth ministry packet, which will bemailed this fall.

Souper Bowl Sunday

© Tim McCaig

© istockphoto.com

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organiza-tion dedicated to working with children, families, and theircommunities worldwide to reach their full potential bytackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivatedby our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves along-side the poor and oppressed as a demonstration ofGod’s unconditional love for all people. World Visionserves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity,or gender.

World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine puts hands and feetto teens’ desire to live a life of Christian compassion. Itwill unite youth group members like never before. Andthe impact will last long after the Famine event is over. Itcan be the spark that fires up a person for a lifetime ofreaching out to neighbors in need.

How does the Famine work? It’s really quite simple.First of all, the materials you need are provided, free ofcharge, by World Vision. Call World Vision, 30 Hour Fam-ine at 1-800-7-FAMINE to sign up your youth group orconnect at www.30hourfamine.org. Before the “FamineDate” youth group members raise money through do-nors and sponsors to help the millions of starving andhurting children in some of the world’s poorest coun-tries, offering them a hope they could not otherwise have.The groups then go 30 hours without food, so that theycan have a real taste of what hunger is like. During thistime they engage in different activities, from communityservice projects to volunteer work to study, dependingon how each group plans their own event.

What does it take to help a hungry child? Only$30 a month, just $1 a day, will help feed and care for achild. You can start by asking twelve people they knowto donate $30. That’s one person for each month of theyear. When you’ve done that, you will have raised $360,enough money to help feed and provide necessary careto a child for a whole year.

Presbyterian Youth TrienniumJuly 20 - 25, 2010Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN

Every three years the Presbyterian Church (USA), Cumberland Presbyterian Church, andCumberland Presbyterian Church in America from all over the world will converge on the campus ofPurdue University for 5 days of incredible fun, awesome worship, great small groups and unforgettablefriendships at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium.

The 2010 Triennium will be held July 20-25 on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette,IN. Triennium is for young people who will be ages 15-19 by July 20, 2010. Adult advisors must be 21years of age by this date.

Send names and addresses of persons interested in receiving registration information to: 2010PYT, 8207 Traditional Pl., Cordova, TN 38016. For additional information go towww.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org.

Every year, thousands of groups in more than 21countries - over 1 million teens - unite with one goal inmind: to help children living in some of the most deplor-able conditions on earth.

Countless lives will be impacted and saved. So jointhe hundreds of thousands of US teens who are alreadydoing something. This can be the single most effectiveevent you’re a part of all year to make a difference inpeoples’ lives. And this means both in your community,and around the globe. Shake things up, and join the win-nable war to save kid’s lives.

Change Your World

© Nina Matyszczak

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMemphis, TNPermit No. 513

This publication is made possible byOur United Outreach.

Events/Announcements

Christian Education SeasonAugust 31-September 28, 2008

Senior Adult SundaySeptember 14, 2008

Christian Education ConferenceNovember 4-7, 2008

MiniversitiesFebruary 21-March 14, 2009

Visit our websitewww.cumberland.org/bce forupdates!

Discipleship Ministry Team8207 Traditional PlaceCordova, TN 38106

Taylor Made Ministry offers a variety of scripts forreligious holiday plays. Most scripts are $8.00 or $12.00.(One flat fee for the play and you can use it multiple times.)There are no user or performance fees. Plays are imme-diately downloaded, and copying of scripts is permitted.The website is located at www.taylormadeministry.com.

Afire with God: Becoming Spirited Stewards, byBetsy Schwarzentraub. Stewardship is a dirty word inmost churches. Pastors preach about it knowing theymust while members sit uncomfortably through the "it's-that-time-again" sermons. This book urges congrega-tions to become stewards-in-action in all God has en-trusted to us. Members go beyond thinking in terms ofdollars contributed to see stewardship as becoming liv-ing examples of the gospel. Discipleship Resources,$13.00. ISBN: 978-0-88177-520-4.

In My Heart I Carry a Star: Stories for Advent, byDerek Maul. This devotional-story almanac will help you tounderstand and appreciate the possibilities Christmas of-fers. Its stories reveal the light to be found in the season'sswirl of festivities, stresses, memories and difficult reali-ties. Upper Room, $14.00. ISBN: 978-0-8358-9966-6.

Simply Wait: Cultivating Stillness in the Seasonof Advent, by Pamela Hawkins. What if it really wasn'tthat hard to find more peace, more quiet, more room inyour heart for the Christ child to be born? Hawkins willguide you through the hustle and bustle of Advent, andyou'll come out centered, rested and spiritually renewed.This resource is ideal for individual or small group study;a guide for groups is included. Upper Room Books,$12.00. ISBN: 978-0-8358-9917-8.

The Next Reformation: Why Evangelicals MustEmbrace Postmodernity, by Carl Raschke. This bookcomes from an evangelical perspective, but it is a superbanalysis of what is currently happening, just as it is a use-ful engagement of the emerging new body of Christianity.Baker Academic, $22.00. ISBN: 978-0-8010-2751-2.

Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Com-munity in Postmodern Cultures, by Eddie Gibbs andRyan K. Bolger. Those who want a field guide to theemergent movement will find this resource invaluable.It gives a precise presentation of how main-line churchesare planting churches within the emergent movement.Baker Academic, $19.99. ISBN: 978-0-8010-2715-4.

Order books from your home town book store, an online distributor such as Amazon.com,or directly from the publisher. Prices are subject to change without notice.

These resources are not available from the Discipleship Ministry Team.

Resources