What was an Aussie (pronounced ah-zzz-ee) doing in Seattle, the home of Starbucks, Seattle’s Best and Pura Vida Coffee? I attended the Off The Map Evangelism Conference that featured key Speakers - Todd Hunter, Brian McLaren & Jim Henderson.

The blurb from the website said the purpose was,

The two-day event (May 18 & 19) was jam-packed, with the ideas flying thick and fast. It is the first event I have ever had homework to do before I attended. We were given a 4 Question survey and were encouraged to ask a non-Christian, pre-Christian, unbeliever or lost person these questions.

The responses of these questions would (and did) help us to understand the Christian climate we now find ourselves ministering in. The incentives to fill in the questions were giveaways of free coffee & Amazon vouchers and a PDA. The second piece of homework was to watch a video called the Big Kahuna with Danny Devito, Kevin Spacey & Bob the Baptist. It was very interesting viewing and also helped prime me for the event.

Brian McLaren gave some very clear insight into the people we perceive as lost and afterwards I came away thinking that it was I who had lost the way. Brian clearly showed that many people are spiritually searching but often hit a wall of defense when searching questions are asked. He gave a brilliant example of an email conversation of a woman who was searching but every time she tried to talk to her boyfriend about God they ended in an argument. Over a period of months you could see through the conversation how she was changing and finally coming to faith, not because of intellectual reasoning but it was through Brian’s listening ear.

The shift he also talked about was, moving back to the idea of belonging before believing. Inviting people who do not know Jesus into our communities and journeying with them to faith rather that sitting at the gate and allowing only those who have mad a “decision” to belong.

Todd Hunter had to perform a miracle and explain postmodernism in 20 minutes. Yes there is a God! He did a great job at opening up our minds to some of the key issues that we face today. He also later had opportunity to share the differences between Church Planting - Now & Then. The biggest difference, he said was how he has changed. His view of the Church today is vastly different from 20 years ago.

Five of the key points Todd explained were, firstly, how currently the church is told to exploit modern consumerism by giving many choices. Secondly, how numbers drive us. Third our leadership structures are Military and corporate models. Fourthly, we need to review our understanding of the nature of the church. Lastly, what is the nature of salvation? Does today’s model of Church life line up with the spirit and data of the New Testament? The answer came back with a clear, no. Todd talked about rediscovering what it means to be a missional community.

There were a number of opportunities to discuss the issues raised over the two days, though very briefly and the sessions were also broken up by some brief video footage that helped highlight societies shift in postmodernism.

The other speakers such as Jim Henderson, Don Hudson, Spencer Burke, Jerry Haselmayer & others helped to challenge our thinking and share ideas they had found helpful as they wrestled with, what God had been saying to them.

The most interesting session I felt was the Live Interview with Three ‘Lost’ People. Three people were invited to share their views of the church and why they didn’t buy the Christian package. Each person had a different answer but they all were saying the same thing, they had not felt accepted. That session, I think may have impacted people the most, yet ironically I did not need to travel to Seattle to hear from people I perceive as lost. I have people who are not part of the Christian community living as close as the house next door, but have never thought to ask how they perceived the Church (some more homework).

One of the best aspects of this event and others like it is the ability to connect with people of like minds who are journeying in a similar direction. They can become life long friends. I had opportunity to do just that and I am looking forward to sharing the journey with them.

PS. I met the guys from Pura Vida Coffee and they are doing great things with Coffee (my favorite drink) and using the profits to minister to children & families in Costa Rica. Look them up if you get a chance at www.puravidacoffee.com.