Trinity Mount Barker

My invitation to World Vision’s “An evening with Brian McLaren” arrived in the post today. The nicely recycled-looking brochure didn’t do anything to alleviate my surprise at the partnership between this organisation (of which I happen to be a former employee) and McLaren, the “speaker, thinker and activist.”  I think I was at least expecting some acknowledgment of his position on the fringe of Christian orthodoxy, but none was made.

It is helpful to hear from people from outside our own “stable.”   We appreciate it when people are well-read and able to see past our own cultural blind-spots.  And as someone preparing to plant a church and seeking to engage the community around me with the gospel of Jesus, the opportunity to hear from one of the leaders of the Emerging/Emergent Movement definitely has some appeal.   As a pastor though, I believe there are good reasons for me to politely decline the invitation.  It’s my privilege to spend my time with people who wrestle daily with all sorts of issues, including many which are staple fare in McLaren’s writing and speaking.

For the sake of these people and because of the following issues, I have to say to World Vision, “Thanks for the invitation, but I respectfully decline.”

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