Is Institutional Religion An Out-Moded Technology? Apple 7 on 15th Sept…

Apple, the series of events I’ve been organising with some others, is back for another three dates. The idea behind Apple is simple: to get theology to engage with technology and social process. We’ve covered diverse ground such as social networks, the Large Hadron Collider, grey ecology, Heidegger and gadgetry.

With this new series – more details to follow on the Apple blog – we’re going to be expanding a little and look at the wider idea of technologies as organisational tools. To kick this off, on 15th Sept I’m going to be debating institutional Christianity with Jonny Baker and Ian Mobsby (and others – tbc). This has sprung out of the big discussion that kicked off when I posited the question: ‘has what has emerged retreated?’ My concern is that the emerging church has slightly run for cover under the wing of the institutions recently – which have started offering new ways into ordination etc.

Jonny responded with a critique of the TAZ concept I put forward in Other, so I’ve asked him to come and discuss these issues with myself and Ian Mobsby – who’s ordained and leads the Moot emerging community, as well as advocating a New Monastic approach.

Given the recent scandals which have surrounded the Catholic church, and the continuing debates about schism in the Anglican communion, I think this is a very important debate which demands careful thought. Are institutions actually giving cover to practices which would be more immediately dealt with and condemned in the context of local community, or are they repositories of knowledge, protecting our faith from dilution? Moreover, is it possible to be both ‘at the centre and the edge?’

This should be a fascinating evening, with the usual good beer and food that our venue, The Betsey Trotwood, provide. Do your best to make it if you can!

Details:

7:30pm, 15th Sept

The Betsey Trotwood, 56 Farringdon Road