Breakouts

Conciliation and true community are God Dreams.

Breakout Sessions 1 and 2 | Mark Charles | Sanctuary

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You might need some time to process and ask questions after you get your socks knocked off in the opening plenary. Don't worry, you'll have a whole hour to ask Mark Charles questions, as well as hear additional thoughts on the work he has laid out in his book Unsettling Truths. Feel free to also engage in conversation around points of his presentation you may disagree with, just do so graciously.

Christian Community Development is a God Dream.

Breakout Session 1 |Rodney, Jodi, & Micah Matthews | Vincent House

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In many ways, Together is rooted in the philosophy of Christian Community Development (CCD), which is about equipping Christ-followers to be ambassadors of Jesus in their own neighborhoods and communities. Based on Jesus’ ministry model of relocation, redistribution, and reconciliation, CCD is a model that has led to profound change and transformation in the most difficult places. This interactive breakout will grow your understanding of CCD, as well as your ability to practice it in solidarity with those who are suffering around you.

Healthy police-community relations is a God Dream.

Breakout Session 1 | Dr. Brant Lee | Parlor

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Black Lives Matter. Blue Lives matter. Don't shoot! Just obey the police, it's the law! In light of the obvious cases of police brutality and divergent perspectives of policing, individual responsibility, and the sanctity of life, we hope to offer both facts and hope for the hopeless. This breakout will discuss police-community relations and approaches to pursuing shalom. 

Returning citizens are God Dreams.

Breakout Session 1 | Donovan Harris & Shaunte Metcalf | Vincent House

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This breakout will discuss what the dreams of God look like concerning re-entry. How do we come alongside folk who are incarcerated? How do we support them when they get out? How do we address the root issues that lead to incarceration, particularly for people of color and the poor? Let's figure it out because families and lives are depending on it.

Government and Politics are God Dreams.

Breakout Session 1 | Christy Staats & Cortney Porter | Compass Coffee Conference Room

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Government and politics are seen as divisive and “secular.” But, what if engaging the political arena was actually a way not only to bring about tremendous good in the world, but to unify the church and her neighbors across apparent boundaries? This breakout will expose you to folk who know a thing or two about politics and civic engagement. They are living examples of how the church can be salt in light in a divided world.

The next generation is a God Dream.

Breakout Session 1 | Danielle Marshall & Ron Kent | Vincent House

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This breakout will discuss the importance of investing in our next generation of leaders. Whether you're an emerging leader yourself or someone who raises them up, this breakout is for you. If we want to see our communities change, we need leaders who will bring fresh ideas and energy -- leaders who will be the change.

Businesses are God Dreams.

Breakout Session 1 | Vincent House

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This is a networking session for current and aspiring business owners, leaders, and advocates. Connect, conspire, and dream about ways that businesses can be an engine of good in our cities.

Where you choose to live is a God Dream.

Breakout Session 2 | The Roe's and The Blakely's | Vincent House

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Relocation is one of the big "R's" of Christian Community Development (CCD). Another key tenet of CCD is indigenous leadership -- compelling leaders from neighborhoods to remain or return to their neighborhoods to see God's dream come to fruition. Come sit at the feet of leaders who have been living out the dreams of God in their neighborhood for years through relocation, remaining, and returning. They’ll share stories of success and of failure to encourage and inspire you as you dream with God about loving our neighborhoods.

Unity is a God Dream.

Breakout Sessions 2 | DeNica Bishop | Vincent House

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Be honest, you know you think the "other side" of the political aisle is not as Christian as you. But, can't we (Christians) all just get along? Let's keep trying -- together.

God's dream is not eurocentric and it never imposes itself.

Breakout Session 2 | Bryson Davis & James Talbert | Vincent House

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The church is the dream of God because it has many voices. Yet, colonization has had a pervasive chokehold on our faith by centering one theological perspective as the only, true perspective. Furthermore, this perspective tends to be White, male, and European. Are we following the way of Jesus, or of German and Swiss theologians? Has the Jesus path been paved over by our political affiliations and forgotten? This breakout will embrace Brueggemann's prophetic imagination to expose our loyalties and examine approaches to decolonize our faith.

God Dreams for the LGBTQ+ community too.

Breakout Sessions 2 | Mary O'Connor, Roodie Chapman, & Merisa Salazar | Vincent House

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The church is divided over issues related to the LGBTQ+ community. There are real and legitimate concerns on both sides of the aisle. Together honors the various traditions and doctrinal stances around gender and sexuality, but is committed to making space for any and everyone to attend and feel welcome. Furthermore, we welcome folk from diverse perspectives to come together and ask hard questions, learn hard truths, and have civil conversations. Let's be honest, this traditionally doesn't happen in our homogenous local church gatherings. We trust that God is big enough to hold us together across our differences. We trust in love (God). Will you? This breakout is a space for the LGBTQ+ community and others to share and hear stories, as well as a space for everyone who attends to learn different perspectives and realize that we can disagree and still be united (John 17).

 

NOTE: This breakout is hosted by a panel of Christian folk with a range of doctrinal perspectives and includes a moderator. Together does not endorse any particular doctrinal view of the presenters, but does endorse love and unity.

Nonviolence is a God Dream.

Breakout Sessions 2 | Dr. Jacci Stuckey | Parlor

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The last two years have seen a spike in violence. What should the Christian response be? Well, while we understand that there are different responses to violence -- many of which are respectable -- we are inviting folk into the nonviolent approach. This breakout will be an informational session on the historical roots of nonviolence in the Jesus tradition.

How to fund God Dreams.

Breakout Sessions 2 | IMMIX | Vincent House

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No margin, no mission. In other words, if you don't have the funds, as well as the strategic plan to acquire them, then your God Dream will remain a really good idea and nothing more. This collaborative breakout will equip you with some tools and resources to move you closer to the kind of God Dreams that demand dollars.