Emergent Convention Post - well sort of

I spent some time tonight looking through blogs of the emergent convention. It has inspired me to stay up far too late and write my first reflection on the event.

I am struck by a few things:
I am struck by how many people had expectations that could not be fulfilled at a convention, primarily because of the convention nature of conventions– I have understood conventions as a particular animal. They tend to be more of a trade show than a worship event. I recognize that these conventions are not churches where we gather for worship. Conventions are pastor learning/training/ introduction events.
Conventions are more of a “welcome to the conversation event” than a place to develop deep friendships.

I am struck by how wonderfully gracious some people can be in their appreciation of the amount of volunteer effort that goes into the event. This tends to come more through email and personal conversation than through blogs – I wonder if there is something to that observation? Is it possible that there is a culture of some Emergent bloggers forming where posting dissatisfaction is expected. I am not at all saying they should not post their frustration, but it seems to be a lack of the kind of appreciation that people share in person and through email than on blogs. But maybe I need to read more posts.

I am personally excited about the changes in next years event. Even before Nashville we (the convention is run by a mostly volunteer group who bust their butts for months in an act of service for the event, by the way) had decided to do away with the structure of the convention. No more “main sessions”. We decided that the “Summer Camp” model doesn’t fit the Emergent conversation very well – with the content and a simulated worship experience mixed with some up-front fun.

We are planning for the convention attendees to divided in four “learning communities” that will rotate through four conversations led by a theologian and practitioner – Bible, Truth, Humanity and Missional Church. These groups will be hosted by two conversation facilitators.

Instead of a main sessions, with trade show like worship examples, each evening will have a few worship options that are much more integrated , organic and authentic to its own experience.

There will still be seminars and sustainable life forums (which by the way I have not read many bloggers comment on – there were sustainable life forums on eating, finances, yoga and the like).

Even with all these changes these events are still large, come one come all, events and the kind of friendship and connection so many of us are looking for is not possible in the convention setting. Conventions serve their purposes, but intimacy is not it.

October 18-21 Emergent hosts a gathering in New Mexico that is all about friendship, connection and wholeness.
So for those who are ready for the next step in Emergent life, come to the mountains of New Mexico. The cost is cheap, the crowed is small and the event is all yours the making.

Strangely I am not sure that is what some people really want. I have a feeling that more people will want the big thing, with all its convention promise. Even though they know it comes with built in disappointment.

All of that being said, for me it is such a thrill to be with my friends and to work with all the wonderful people who attend and make-up the group who put on the convention.
I know it seems contradictory, but camping does not mock the homeless – no matter what you might read.

Comments

[Doug Trouten]

One thing I've learned from years with a group that puts on conventions is -- to paraphrase Lincoln -- you can't please all the people all the time. Even Paul, who became all things to all people, realized that he would only win some.

My group's most recent convention (and btw, thanks for being part of it, Doug) included a performance by a local music group that drew the first standing ovation and demand for an encore in my organization's history. But the first convention evaluation I read gave that group a 3 out of 5. Go figure.

I think you're right on when you note that some things can happen in a convention setting, and some things can't. It's almost impossible to pound in a nail with a screwdriver, but that doesn't mean it's a bad tool. Figure out what a convention is good for, and spend your time doing that.

[Andrew Jones is taller than Doug]

hey shorty,
you were the man behind New Edge 1998, Sante Fe, which i see as a forerunner to many of these events. you be the granddaddy of emergent gathering hosts.
interesting to talk about what people say they want and what they actually will put their butt on a plane and attend.
i'm sure you will figure it out. count on my support.
thanks for this big and provocative blog post.

[AdrieneB]

went to the SD emergent convention and I really enjoyed it - especially some of the 'seminars'. I really like the idea of several groups that stick together and cycle through 4 (or more) topics. could one of the topics be "Kingdom" or something along those lines - maybe thats pretty close to 'missional community'. . . Didnt have time or energy to do 'sustainable life' forums - and I also really enjoyed being in Brian MacL's group.
Hope my husband and I can make it to NewMexico - that was great, different, but very very good.
thanks to you Doug and to all the rest who put this stuff together.

[lillylewin]

i liked the event too! it was a place to see all my friends and connect! my annual "fix"...just didn't have time with the pagitts!
anyway..i am really thankful for all you do...marko, doug, thom, jeanie, laci, etc...to make emergent events happen! i would love to create a sacred space worship opportunity or prayer experience for the next ec! and you know i am always up for atmosphere architecture! have rv will decorate! ha!
have a good weekend!
lil

[Chris McElwee]

Oh! Someone already posted on the above comment.

http://www.e-church.com/Blog-detail.asp?EntryID=599&BloggerID=1

[Chris McElwee]

Doug you should seriously consider this model for YS.

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/bloggerCon/II/newbies

[shawn]

the week started for me when i went to a tv studio and watched Doug, Dan Kimbell, and Gary Morgan get interviewed. Doug, when that guy called in a asked you your thoughts on the Gospel, i thought you nailed it, and i was shocked by his response. i seem to be getting alot of the same response from my friends as well.

the beauty of the Nashville Emergent format is that it opens up the conversation to those who are just getting into these ideas. but like many have said, it doesn't reflect the experiential/conversational aspect of what's truely going on in the community of God and the emerging church.

Gareth makes a great point that as our communities grow, we're going to need to figure out how to have experiential worship gatherings with larger groups. i was talking with Mike, the worship leader at Jacob's Well, and he was saying that they're getting bigger all of the time. i hope that happens for all of our communities, and how are we going to address that? i guess it depends on the local body, but ideas are always good.

thanks for all of your hard work, guys and gals.

[marko]

BTW, the only feedback i'd had on the event 'til this afternoon was anecdotal (verbals and emails) and reading all the blogs. but today i started reading through all the evaluations. holy cow -- people actually liked the event and were pushed and stretched and encouraged and validated! yee-ha!

[marko]

ooh -- how 'bout we scrap the n'ville event next year and just hang out at Jack's BBQ (maybe we can invite Josh McDowell or John Maxwell or Rick Warren to join us!). or not.

actually, i posted an idea-in-process in the comment section of jen's blog (http://www.jenlemen.com/), in the May 26 post. let me know what you think...

mark oestreicher
@ the evil corporate giant YS

[Eric]

Ahh, why can't we go back to the good-ole-days of the young leaders network? You know, when no one knew who brian mclaren was, and there were some young guys with names like doug pagitt, andrew jones, chris seay, and mark driscoll visioning the future of the church with some help from the Sines. Oh yeah, and it only cost 50 buck to attended.

[Chris McElwee]

Yes! I am glad you are doing away with the summer campiness of the convention. The new format will be much better.

[Jon M]

I went to EC Nashville and had a great experience. The mains sucked. I used those times mostly to go work out or read or have conversations. The couple I did go to, I ended up reading or writing during large portions of it. You had the unfortunate experience of having me in your cohort, for that I am sorry, you had to suffer through doing that cohort thing. The new format is awesome and will provide many great opportunities for learning and dialogue and questioning. Any chance we could not have David Crowder and the gang there? Any chance SP's band, or Jacob's Well band, or Vintage Faith's could be the "worship leaders?" Just a thought. I love David Crowder and all, but could go a little more grassroots for Emergent.

[gareth]

Its great to see you guys trying ti rething stuff. I think that getting away from the 'main session' approach should hopefully liberate some extra space to do some creative stuff in the worship, its very difficult to find stuff that works with 700 people that is different from what they band did this time, it can also reinforce the idea that the direction worship needs to take it in a lrage format like this (although I know this is not intended). Hopefully a few different things will fund peoples imagination, and allow people to see what is possible in smaller congregations.

hopefully Jonny and I will be able to join you guys again next year.

on a different not I have just flicked though the book you wrote on Solomons porch - it sounds like a really imaginative and creative space. Would be great next time I am over in the US to hang out with you guys.

thanks for trying to rethink things and take risks rather than sit back and do the same old - thete is definately something of the kingdom in risky thinking in communal gathering :-)

[Tim Bednar]

I offer this to provoke some thought, even though I was unable to attend either EC meetings.

I think you can be inspired by the BloggerCon format as designed by Dave Winer. I blog about it here:

BloggerCon: The Unconference As An Example of the Participatory Church And Glimpse The Future Pastor

http://www.e-church.com/Blog-detail.asp?EntryID=599&BloggerID=1

[rob lewin]

Doug,
Great insights. I'll help anyway necessary to see that next year can be what you've described. My EC experience was great, but with these changes it will be even better. looks like Lilly and I better leave Oct 18th open.
rob

[Todd]

Sometimes dignifying comments with a response only serves to fan the flame. We're on a journey and most admittedly don't yet know what it all will look like. You are both leading and traveling as are others who share the burden of planning and dreaming. Not all are comfortable with their seat on the train but all are glad to be on the train. Forgive us when we speak as though we know the final destination for given the same occasion to lead we too would find the adventure less certain than we think. Re-imagining represents a thematic image in your book and in Mark Scandrette's wonderfully poetic descriptions at last years EC. Keepp this edge and it will continue to suck us into the vortex of "reformation" rather than spin us a way where we simply refashion the facade. Listen beyond the negative tomes to the longings and as you have done recommend places and ways to live out those in more positive and sacred spaces - like New Mexico. Help us all get beyond the angst and its accompanying angry tone and on to celebrating the freshness of "this new thing" God is doing.

[Geoff Holsclaw]

With all the talk about Emergent being a friendship I'm surprised that some many still treat Emergent like a convenient store. They coming hoping to find what they want, when they want and complain when its not there (i.e. the Convention is not what I expected). Well freindships shouldn't have expectation- they just are.

so doug, I'm personally grateful for all that you all are doing.

[will]

Good observation on the private thoughts vs. public blogs. There is an attitude at work in blogs that can be dangerous as we seek to develop community. It can become "uncool" to be happy in your blog, and that is unfortunate. This year's EC in Nashville left me anxious for next year's meeting in Nashville.

[Mike]

Doug - I don't know what to say... except thanks for all the work, keep doing it, keep changing it.

Thanks.

[Jay V]

Doug, I hope that my posts didn't seem negative and without support for all you did. We all know that y'all worked you #$$'s off at this thing, and I would argue that it met a need even in the midst of those expressed frustrations. Was it everything that it could be? Is anything, other than God?

You are right in noticing that few bloggers wrote on, or probably attended the sustainable life forums. As a local I frankly was too worn out and had too many responsibilities getting kids to school to participate.

I'm can't really speak to what other folks were looking for in regard to the EC. I knew going in(as a repeat offender) that this wasn't a space for intimacy, although I had many good conversations and made new friendships. What spoke to me the most were the workshops, especially yours (and this is not an #$$ kissing comment). You pushed my thinking and now I have to figure out what to do with it. You worked to the best of your ability to make your sessions narrative dialogical, and it was appreciated.

Y'all are heading in a good direction. It's an unknown direction fraught with much uncertainty and as with all experiments, some danger. But I think y'all are moving in the right direction and I look forward to seeing what's ahead.

I too would like to connect with my inner hippy and go to Glorieta (I wanted to last year as well). It's a lousy month in the life of most "traditional" churches like mine, and getting folks to keep the kids is a hassle. But Kay and I hope that we might be able to discern a way to pull it off.

Take care and get some rest.

[Laura]

I went to the San Diego convention. The thing I found most useful was the personality cohort, where we just hung out and yapped. I learned more there than in the big meetings (mind you, I mostly liked the big meetings--especially the dancers, the drummers, and the cowboy rapper). The new changes sound great. Even though it's a convention (with all that entails), anything that can increase the "community space" ratio is good.

[Laura]

I went to the San Diego convention. The thing I found most useful was the personality cohort, where we just hung out and yapped. I learned more there than in the big meetings (mind you, I mostly liked the big meetings--especially the dancers, the drummers, and the cowboy rapper). The new changes sound great. Even though it's a convention (with all that entails), anything that can increase the "community space" ratio is good.

[Naomi]

Thank you for ALL your hard work. I too am happy for the friendships I've made in this thing we call emergent. While I hope the different opinions can be heard, I am very sad about the negative blogs I have read about the event. I know how hard you guys work to put these conventions on and I appreciate your friendship, leadership, and conversation...even though my niece thinks you're a big scary guy ;-)

[ChadF]

Doug, I am excited for the new approach towards the "convention" gathering. It sounds like a healthy approach to common growth with one another - or at least a good attempt toward this. I too have been a bit weary re: the negativity in general coming out of "emerging" type bloggers...albeit helpful in some cases, there seems to be a tendancy towards the negative, deconstruction in spite of seeing the positive, reconstruction as well.

By the way, my new "day job" is working for a camp. www.springhillcamps.com

is that ironic?
chad