Anglican-Lutheran meeting coaxes Christians out of churches

Beyond the Fortress, the 2012 biennial worship conference of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, will take place June 29 to July 2 in Winnipeg.

As its title suggests, this year’s meeting aims to draw attendees out from behind the walls of their churches to engage a changing world and develop new ideas of church.

According to conference organizers, Christians have built secure fortresses around themselves in order to preserve their traditions. “But what happens when we go beyond our fortress?” they ask. What happens when Christians leave their secure retreats and move out into the community to witness their faith to all who will listen?

Featured speakers include Douglas Cowling, an author and musician with a special interest in liturgy, and Craig Van Gelder, a professor of congregational mission at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. In addition to plenary sessions and panel discussion, the conference will offer seminars and group workshops.

For more information, go to www.nationalworshipconference.org/