Maybe the better question is, "What?s old at EMNR?"
Last year we reported that the EMNR headquarters were moving (at least on an
interim basis) from Birmingham, Alabama to California. Well somewhere along the
way we missed the turn and ended up back in Birmingham, so you can still reach
us here at:
402 Office Park Drive
Birmingham, AL 35223
(205) 871-2858
We also reported that Bob Waldrep had stepped down as the Executive Director to
devote more time to leading the Alabama chapter of Watchman
Fellowship. Well, it
seems the Watchman staff missed their EMNR duties so much that throughout this
?transition? period they have continued to handle all of our administrative
needs. We figure some folks just don?t have enough to do to stay busy.
We reported that Bob's departure was an orderly, amicable change. It turns out it was so amicable that we couldn?t get rid of him.
Initially the Board of EMNR appointed John Morehead as the interim executive
director. Well, it turns out John truly had more to do in his own ministry than
he and his staff could accomplish and needed to resume his primary place of
service at EMNR, as being a member of the EMNR board.
Though his own thriving ministry placed some limitations on his abilities to do
all he had hoped as interim director, John was able to focus much needed
attention to promoting the cause of EMNR. Even as a Board member, giving EMNR a
more visible presence had been one of John?s priorities and because of his
efforts we hope to have some exciting announcements about EMNR in the very near
future.
So, perhaps the old adage is true:
?The more things change, the more they stay the same?.
Representatives of the Evangelical Missiological Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, the Society for the Study of Alternative Religions and Evangelical Ministries to New Religions met in Nashville to discuss the challenge of new religious movements to world evangelism, and to lay a foundation for future dialogue and cooperation.
The meeting was well attended and those in "counter-cult" ministry were pleased to see such a large number of missiologists in attendance. The participants agreed that continued dialogue is needed that will facilitate an interdisciplinary approach to an evangelical response to new religious movements.
The participants also agreed that individuals interested in this mission field should consider membership in each of the organizations, including EMS, ETS, SSAR and EMNR. Individuals who would like contact information for these organizations to request membership applications can contact me privately.
A highlight of the ETS conference was the presentation of a paper by noted missiologist, Dr. David Hesselgrave. The paper was titled "New and Alternative Religious Movements--Some Perspectives of Missiologist." Those interested in receiving a copy are encouraged to contact Dr. Hesselgrave.
The participants of this important meeting agreed to continue dialogue through an e-mail forum, and to work more closely by attendance at various conferences, and through the submission of articles to various publications. A major goal would be a national consultation of theologians, missiologists, academics and the "counter-cult" community discussing the missiological challenge of new religious movements.
If anyone has further questions about this meeting, and how you can get involved in this interdisciplinary approach, please contact John Morehead privately.
Here?s one change that really did take place. We told you we were going to
remove our logo from the site so we could ?beautify? it. Well, it?s back
online and we think it fits well. You cans see it on our homepage.
Thanks to Brad Blan in Watchman?s Alabama office for helping us out with this
and the website redesign that we are going through. Hope you will like the
changes.
In case you haven?t noticed, we also have information on the 2001 Conference in New Orleans posted on the site. If you?ve never visited the South this would be a great opportunity to give it a try. We have indoor plumbing now and Wal-Marts are plentiful (what more can you ask for?).
And, if you haven?t been to New Orleans (or even if you have for that matter) you are really in for a treat, especially if you like to eat (and who doesn?t?). And taking the cuisine into consideration, we have structured the 2001 Conference so your Friday and Saturday evenings are free.
So come on and have some lagniappe! (If you don?t speak Cajun, send us an email and we?ll tell you what it means.)
Finally, there is a new article posted on the site entitled, New and Alternative Religious Movements - Some Perspectives of a Missiologist by David J. Hesselgrave.
We are pleased to announce the additions Steve Rost and Dr. Craig Hazen as new members of the EMNR Board. We are sure you join us in welcoming this marvelous addition to our efforts. For more information about these gentlemen and our other board members, visit our Board Page.
At the last meeting the Board also granted a year sabbatical from their EMNR duties to Paul Carden and Dr. Wayne House. We appreciate the efforts that these men, and the rest of our Board members, put forth on behalf of EMNR.