Renovaré Conference
is coming to Indianapolis
September 14-15, 2007
Welcome to a Balanced Spiritual Life!
Renovaré (from the Latin "to make new") is a Christian church renewal organization founded by Quaker theologian Richard J. Foster in 1988. Its purpose is to provide training and support to people in their spiritual growth. It encourages the use of meditation, prayer, Bible reading, and other disciplines and exercises — both in groups and as individuals. There are twenty-six Christian denominations involved in this September 14-15, 2007 event. Over 1000 participants are expected to join this ecumenical celebration.
Sponsored by a grant from the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, the Lilly Endowment and twenty-six (26) Christian churches in the metropolitan area, RENOVARE offers a process of discipleship using time-honored Christian spiritual disciplines from Scripture and the shared tradition of the churches of Jesus Christ.
RENOVARÉ articulates a balanced vision of life and faith and seeks to give a practical strategy for spiritual growth.
The goal is to build discipleship and community within the Christian churches and to foster faith and understanding among the people of God. In the great words of the Apostle Paul, "attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God; to come to maturity, to the measure of the stature of the fullness Christ.”
Time-honored Means of God’s Grace
...focuses upon intimacy with God and depth of spirituality. This spiritual dimension addresses the longing for a deeper, more vital Christian experience.
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God (Ps. 42:1-2b).
...focuses upon personal moral transformation and the power to develop "holy habits." This spiritual dimension addresses the erosion of moral fiber in personal and social life.
Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Tim. 4:7b-8).
...focuses upon the charisms of the Spirit and worship. This spiritual dimension addresses the yearning for the immediacy of God's presence among his people.
Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts (Eph. 5:18b-19).
...focuses upon justice and shalom in all human relationships and social structures. This spiritual dimension addresses the gospel imperative for equity and compassion among all peoples.
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream (Amos 5:24).
...focuses upon the proclamation of the evangel, the good news of the gospel. This spiritual dimension addresses the need for people to see the good news lived and hear the good news proclaimed.
"I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-27).
...focuses upon making present and visible the realm of the invisible spirit. This spiritual dimension addresses the crying need to experience God as truly manifest and notoriously active in daily life.
We have this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7).
OUR PRAYER FOR RENOVARE IN INDIANAPOLIS
BY GOD’S GRACE, WE WILL GATHER AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST AND ASSIST ONE ANOTHER IN STRENGTHENING FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST WHILE BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF DISCIPLES AND REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.
By God's grace, we will set aside time regularly for prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading and will seek to practice the presence of God.
By God's grace, we will strive mightily against sin and will do deeds of love and mercy
By God's grace, we will welcome the Holy Spirit, exercising the gifts and nurturing the fruit while living in the joy and power of the Spirit.
By God's grace, we will endeavor to serve others everywhere we can and will work for justice in all human relationships and social structures.
By God's grace, we will share my faith with others as God leads and study the Scriptures regularly.
By God's grace, we will joyfully seek to show forth the presence of God in all that we say, in all that we do, in all that we are.
AMEN
RENOVARÉ can help you on your journey of faith by providing a balanced vision and a practical strategy for the formation of Christ-like character, with the ultimate goal of learning more and more to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and your neighbor as yourself.
If this direction for living your life sounds appealing please feel free to use the RENOVARÉ web page as a resource for ideas, inspiration, and future directions at http://www.renovare.org/
The RENOVARE Conference will be held:
September 14-15, 2007
First Church of the Nazarene
9401 E 21st Street
Indianapolis, IN