Next Politics and Faith Shindig - proposed scope and agenda
aims for me are threefold. Few notes on each are below.
- objectives: allow those interested in faith-politics to engage in a discussion group, offering a clear argument for why this important, some tips on how to engage, and then pick a topic on which ti offer a clear outline of arguments at the outset but get increasingly into detail as we move on.
- target: middle to low-end thinkers. Definitely for amateurs not pros. Mix to be retained at 50/50 of advanced-amatuer-thinkers&doers like Al, Steve, Matt, and beginner-amateur-thinkers&doers like Tom, of a Phil Yeo kind of individual.
- invitees: previous attendees + perhaps one more advanced and a couple more beginners.
PLESE CONFIRM AVAILABILITY FOR WEEK BEGINNING 5th JULY
Proposed outline for session
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1. make it easier for people to understand why to become engaged. - 35%
[advanced-amatuer-thinkers-doers - write and circulate short paper 2 weeks prior to event for reading, present paper on day followed by discussion.]
prep by ... Al
this is the why.
people seem to be uneasy that there is so little engagement - the level of passivity etc, but are feeling a bit vulnerable themselves if asked to offer a coherent argument as to why it is important to engage
To serve these people, it seems to me we should focus less on involving high brow commentators (change of plan from my previous correspondance), and keep with the articulate thinkers we already have, but allow other would-be amateur interested parties to join. Would suggest that they get some prep materials 3 to 4 weeks prior to the day so they can decide whether to attend and spend a bit of time reading up.
For this section, it might also mean that people like you, Steve, and Matt find yourselves giving more than taking in this part of the session - probably answering questions, offering explanation etc.
2. understand how to become engaged. - 15 %
[advanced-amatuer-thinkers&doers - present short document on day followed by discussion.]
prep by ... Matt
this is the how.
might be a very practical and possibly quite short section, on different ways and levels to become involved in straddling the all to distinctly separate worlds of faith, politics, governance etc.
people can see either the grand plans of out-of-reach politicians and commentators and think it is far beyond them, or see the crusty activist on the ground and consider them dangerous territory. Neither is probably an accurate assessment, and it is helpful to spend a little time to look at what these means of engagement involve and others open to us.
3. address a specific topic - 50%
[advanced-amatuer-thinkers&doers - write short paper or select existing paper and offer analysis, sharing 2 weeks prior to event for reading, present paper on day followed by discussion.]
prep by ... ?
this is the what.
the same kind of ground we covered last time, but perhaps outlining some of the key themes and terms at the outset to make it easy to follow? Some wider pre-reading might also be helpful.
people, if following previous 2 steps, could be very engaged at this point! As long as we start out with some simple statements of what God has to say about an issue in biblical references, give examples through church history, quotes from commentators past and present, then I think people can have a eureka moment here - and see that what we often think is simply inherited but often not taught at all by God. As discussion develops, I think newbies will be happy to follow and try and engage, and for the more advanced thinkers to cut loose a bit.
To see the implications of what wonderfully revolutionary things Jesus said and taught, again finding it is only by walking by faith in God that we can honour him since, were we to follow Jesus, we would far more frequently offend both the world and the institutional church and really rely on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit rather than our own strength. To see God's agenda in the forefront against the backdrop of our current world.
Thanks,
/Tom
