1. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Welcome to Ohio-Meadville District Assembly Keynote Theme Moving Beyond the Box: Making the Missional Shift Your Host Rev. Dr. David Neal Owen-O’Quill

2. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Missional Thinking in the Progressive Church Why Mission?

3. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Missional Thinking in the Progressive Church Why Mission? Different analysis – theology, church size, growth, diversity, outreach, etc… Mission is a comprehensive lens and it is a positive response to critiques and challenges.

4. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Secular Modern Churched

5. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Secular Modern ChurchedUn-Churched

6. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Secular Modern ChurchedUn-Churched

7. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Secular Modern Churched Post-Modern Un-Churched

8. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Secular Modern Churched Post-Secular Post-Modern Un-Churched

9. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Secular Modern Churched Post-Secular Post-Modern Un-Churched The Box

10. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Secular Modern Churched

11. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Post-Secular Post-Modern Un-Churched

12. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Secular Modern Churched Post-Secular Post-Modern Un-Churched The Box

13. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com *Section C-2.1. Principles. We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

14. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com *Section C-2.1. Principles. We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

15. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com *Section C-2.1. Principles. We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant covenant to affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

16. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com -Exodus 2:23-25 During that long period, The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. Out of their oppressoin their cry for help rose up to God. God heard their groaning remembered the covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and took notice of their suffering.

17. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Unwrapping it All the church, the faith, and the culture the church: the community, movement, and/or institution (ecclesia, called to a purpose) the faith: the theological interpretation and spiritual commitments of a particular religion (U–U) the culture: the mindset, arts, values, entertainment, sufferings, motivations, and interests of a particular social group

18. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Possibilities Culture + Faith – Church = parachurch groups, service organization, schools, artists (no church) Faith + Church – Culture = traditionalism, fundamentalism (struggle with lack of relevance) Church + Culture – Faith = ritualism, social club (struggle with lack of transformation)

19. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Faith + Culture + Church = Mission Mission is weaving together the spiritual commitments with the cultural commitments of the group you are trying to reach. Mission is a lens to analyze the host of issues that we struggle with in making an impact. What commitments are “key”?

20. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Core Spiritual Commitments Core Cultural Commitments

21. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Spiritual Commitments Cultural Commitments Core Mission

22. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Mission is: What: Building a bridge between our faith and people we seek to reach. Who: Mission is toward the culture not toward the church. Why: Mission is about reaching and impacting the culture. How: By doing whatever it takes.

23. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Stages of Mission 0 1 2 3 4 5 Relationship Toward Emerging Culture None To WithAt ForAs Sanctuary Mission

24. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com Critical Questions How does your church use culture to connect people with the faith? How would you describe the culture of your church? How would you describe the culture you are trying to reach? What are your core spiritual commitments?

25. Rev. Dr. David Owen-O'Quill I www.outwardsteps.com I therevd4@gmail.comwww.outwardsteps.com The church which opens up heaven is that, and that only, in which the spirit of heaven dwells. The church where worship rises to God's ear is that, and that only, where the soul ascends. No matter whether it be gathered in cathedral or barn; whether it sit in silence or send up a hymn; whether the minister speak from carefully prepared notes, or from immediate, fervent, irrepressible suggestion. -William Ellery Channing Benediction