Future Directions Task Force Discernment Guide: 2014 Assembly

“If we don’t know deeply why we have the faith within us, how can we have a serious dialogue with others” theologian Douglas Hall once asked. And, it might be added, nothing is so serious as when winds of change about us shake familiar reference points on how to tell the story in the church, and live the story in the world. That’s when one asks the kinds of core questions shaping the work of The Future Directions Task Force:

• What is God’s Spirit calling us to in the 21st Century?
• What are the best ways (programs, structures, strategies) for the church to thrive and grow?

Readers not familiar with the work of the Future Directions Task Force are encouraged to review two brief documents in preparation: Interim Report I released October 11, 2013 and a 2013 news story on the work of the FDTF.

During Assembly 2014 we invite participants to help the Task Force discern responses to a number of important issues arising from our work to date in two plenary sessions and two workshops. A brief summary of each is included in this document.