into the mystic

171 Responses to “WELCOME IMN 2006”

Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Welcome to an IMN online chat for the 2006 cohort.
Be sure to introduce yourselves. Also refresh your page regularly so that new comments appear. I’ll be back at Noon Pacific Standard Time.



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

Hello….I look forward to our conversation. Has anyone read “God is here” Steve Case? I’m selecting my next read….anything that anyone is amped up about?



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

hello…hey brandon, haven’t heard of that book. i’ve recently completed “the alchemist” and enjoyed very much. in fact, my church will have a book club starting feb 8th based on it. pick up a copy, i think you’d enjoy it.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

Eric in Sacramento here.

The alchemist…new one for me. Not heard of “god is here” either…two more for my list



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Hi everyone. Looking forward to the conversation. What’s The Alchemist about, Octavio? I’ve heard of it but no idea what it is.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

I’ve been listeing to len Sweet’s Soul Tsunami..good stuff..



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

Hey Sam, have you started grojund work for you Vox cafe…or do I have you mixed up with someone else…just wondering about connecting to here how’s it going…?



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

Octavio….good to hear from you man…



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

Hi, I just got here am I late?

I look forward to seeing everyone in person.



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Eric, we do have some thoughts for a Vox Cafe/Pub in the future, but probably not until we’re a bit more established with Mosaic Sheffield. A collegue from work has said they’ll do any corporate finance work for free though if we need it!

Dean is definitely planning towards one though.



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

sam…
great little work of fiction about moving towards your dream or goal. i recommended this book to four friends…they all enjoyed it as well. the bbok club idea was an other way for followers and normal folks to get together and hang out.



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

As usual I am a little confused, I have never used this app. What happens next?



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

I’ll keep an eye out for that and maybe add it to my birthday list.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

i’ve been playing with the book club idea too…movies too. the coffee house on my “walk” has a great system, so i’m working at showing movies we cna then discuss and lead into…



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

Hi Rachel here, also in Sheffield, sitting right next to Sam! Hope everyone is having a good day (we’ve had most of ours!)



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

just hang and refesh howard and be ready to type ast (short and sweet is the best)



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

howard, I’ve not done this before either. I’ll just keep tyoing and see what happens….



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

Alex, How are you and when will you have another mtg?



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

hey guys, Dean was just telling me about his “proto” Vox cafe last Sunday–150 people showed. he’s is stoked.



Comment by Shannon

# January 31, 2006,

Hello everyone i am looking forward to the conversation.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

150 amazing! is that in 1000 oaks…ca?



Comment by Rick

# January 31, 2006,

Hey guys, Rick from Albuquerque here. I’m not sitting by Sam. Do you guys have any food?



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

glad to see you’re all here. a couple of things i’m really excited about. First, Brian Russell who’s a friend of mine and a prof of biblical studies at Asbury Seminary has offered to join us for a one hour online chat. His topic would be a missiological hermeneutic of the OT.

Interested?



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

That’s fantastic about Dean’s vox “proto”. God’s obviously doing major things in Thousand oaks.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

rick, just finished my latte’, but theres a little oam left…



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Hi Rick…just had pizza and chips and got some nice cookies we’re working our way through!



Comment by Rick

# January 31, 2006,

Hey guys, I just got a phone call and have to run and help somebody. Have a great conversation!



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

alex, very!



Comment by David

# January 31, 2006,

Hello to all!



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

No idea what a missiological hermeneutic is but I’m up for chatting about it!?



Comment by Shannon

# January 31, 2006,

Alex that sounds good to me! Octavio man i miss talkling to you. I hope you are doing well.



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

would you please tell us dean’s ‘proto’ vox event…



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

OK sam’s just explained it!



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

would we be able to add to the online discussion with some forums or something for more q&a?



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Secondly, I’m looking forward to seeing all of you in los angeles in may. How many of you have read The Celtic Way of Evangelism, The Barbarian Way, and The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church?

These are three texts with which you need to be familiar before you come to la.



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

gIVE ME CLARITY, IS THE VOX JUST VIRTUAL OR A PHYSICAL PLACE TOO?



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

alex, brian’s online class sounds great.



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

shannon,

hello man. good to ’see’ you again.



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Definitely up for a conversation with Brian.



Comment by Shannon

# January 31, 2006,

I have just read the Barbarian Way. I have heard of the other to but have not read them yet.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

ok, i got more to add to my reading list…only read TBW



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

I’ve read the Barbarian Way, just started the spontaneous expansion of the church, but not read The Celtic way of evangelism



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

I haven’t read the first or third but my Christian-book library of a husband will help me out!



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

alex,
read the first two and completing the spontaneous expansion of the church. experierenced quite a level of cognitive dissoance as you know, but i am glad you recommend the book.



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

I have read The B-Way, the others haven’t heard of…
i’m on it…



Comment by Conrad

# January 31, 2006,

Hi everybone…a little late getting to a computer…I’ve read Barbarian Way, started Celtic EV a while back but need to re-read…haven’t read Spontaneous expansion



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

i’ve just asked dean to tell you about it. here he comes.



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in person and getting the chance to have conversations face to face - how exciting!



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

We could eat too!



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

I HAVE SEEN THE B WAY DVD SET AND NEED THE CLIFF NOTES ON THE OTHER TWO. aNY ONE CARE TO SUMERIZE CELTIC AND SPON?



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

rachel, speaking from last year, that was the neatest part…we knew so much about each other, and then to come together f2f…was exciting!



Comment by Shannon

# January 31, 2006,

Alex do you have the exact dates for the trip in May.



Comment by Eric Devine

# January 31, 2006,

Hey everybody, eriq here from Silver City, NM.



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Brandon, great question. It’s both. We’re riding the wave of migration from the concrete world of face to face relationships into cyber space. Adding that dimension of cyber relationships and networking. Then pushing it back down into the f2f world of concrete spatial relationships through Voxtropolis Hot Spots.



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Voxtropolis Hot Spots are a way for church planters to beging their work among the unchurched.



Comment by Dave in Ca.

# January 31, 2006,

Hi all! I’m Dave from Calif. and am glad to be aboard. I’ve read TBW, but haven’t touched the others as of yet.



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

So are Voxtropolis hot spots like starbucks, borders, etc? or actual Business call Vox?



Comment by Shannon

# January 31, 2006,

Is the Celtic Way to Evangelism by George HunterIII?



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

dave what part of CA?



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

Dave where in Cali? I am in San D



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Howard, they are short reads and you would bebefit by reading them and immersing yourselves in the content.



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

side comment…could this communicating not be more effective on Im…where we could have one group conversation, and people could spawn side pop-up conversations…..



Comment by Conrad

# January 31, 2006,

Alex….how can we learn more about the business and start-up aspects of the Vox Hot Spots?



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Hey Everyone,

Good to see you all. Now for an update:

Yes, we through a serious God-party this last Sunday evening. We invited two local music artists—Jason Sharp and Band, and DJ Flood—to play at a Café environment that we created for a single night. Our spiritual community was there and ready to do nothing more and nothing less than engage in friendship those who came for the performances.

It was awesome to behold.



Comment by Dave in Ca.

# January 31, 2006,

Palmdale. High desert about 45 miles from L.A.
How about you?



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

howard.
i’ll give it a shot…
CWE: learning that the vip of your church is the one is ins’t there
SEC: learning to have a higher regard for the spirit and scripture to work in the lives of the people you pastor.



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

I agree, I am in full time ministry and seminary till August



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

dean where dod you do it…



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

This reading will get you started and prepared for the 7 Day immersion.

The Barbarian Way — Erwin McManus
Celtic Way –George Hunter
The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church - Roland Allen



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

Dean, your evening sounds awesome and I’m sure it’ll inspire others to be creative in that way. I’m inspired



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

Octavio, thanks bro, I promise to read every thin you guys suggest when I am done with Seminary



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Additional Reading…

the posts on my blog on “leadership” and “church planting,” “voxtropolis,” and “search for the mystic” (this will derail some of you, but you want to be stretched right?)



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

just wondering abou the venue, did you rent a club or VFW hall or something?



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

stretched…is a good way to put it…



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Thanks Rachel. The truly beautiful thing was that because we hosted an event for the city at large, these musicians were responsible and motivated to do their own promotion.

As a result, over 100 unchurched came streaming through our door.



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Eric, we leased a banquet room that is attached to a building located on the “main” strip of Thousand Oaks.



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Conrad and Brandon, yes they are businesses that I have started and am now beginning to franchise. You can read the essential ideas on my posts about Voxtropolis here on my blog.

Dean is moving from heading the design of cyber Vox to helping me by working more directly with the concrete Voxtropolis hot spots.



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

That’s what it’s all about! Fantastic. Using the musicians is a good idea and a great way to chat to people. People know what to do at something like that..



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Actually, it’s the Masonic Lodge ( oooooooo ) .



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

Thank…you I now understand…so is it a Bar, restaraunt, coffee shop, or all?



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Shhhh…you shouldn’t have said that Dean!!



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

amazing…



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

Ok…so are we talking about interpreting the OT?



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

Dean, what did you do to “promote” Vox or Mosaic…? Or was it more of an incognito kind of thing??



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

We also announced that we were going to host a Café however often we put enough local performance talent together and that we’d love to hear from them if they were an artist or knew artists that would be interested.

Before the night was over, we had several new local artists wanting to perform in our Café.



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Brandon, it is a hot spot — wireless internet hot spot, performance venue, cultural and art hot spot –where Chai, Boba or coffee may be served. morover, church plants may rent space for their meetings from the church planter/owner of the Vox Hot spot.



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Eric,

Nothing but word of mouth this time around. But next time, we’re going to begin the groundswell of anticipation for the soon-coming, PERMANENT, Vox Café.



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

I’m going to start a list of local artists to get involved with us. I’d love that. I hope they would too.. Anyone else done anything like that? Or completely different?!



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

I like it…when’s the next date…I want to come!



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

That is so what I’m trying to make happen….I love knowing that I now have a resource….of those doing it….all my lost friends are at Bars, not church. We have to create environments like that, that become the place to hang and talk about stuff that matters…



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

I know Sam. Every time we use this place our people play an ongoing game of “find the hidden pentagrams.”



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

Brandon, what is great about Vox (what I get fired up about) is that the f2f can go cyber and back again with others following…then relationships begin to naturally connect and develop



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

Dean, that sounds like a relationship building game!



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

we’ve set aside some time during the 7Day Immersion to work through a few strategies like a Voxtropolis Hot Spot, a “music video” shoot with “barely above water productions,” or becoming a “city chef” that you can implement on your fields.



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Your spot on, Eric…I think that’s what makes Vox unique



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

Is anyone thought of social blogging or at these cafe’s having format for people to post an audible thought, via a platform…and start conversations…



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

In Sheffield we have a huge lack of places to hang out in the evenings apart from pubs, bars and clubs. All the coffee shops shut at 7. This is making me feel even more like there’s a gap we could eventually fill…



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

been working the video shoot angle a bit with some music/video friends and people look at me like deer in a head light, then slowly this little smile forms and then they start giggling…ever see that…?



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Our Vox philosophy is simple … if our culture doesn’t have a “marketplace of ideas” (areopagus) from which to continually provide an environment to connect Christ followers to those that need Him, then we’re going to build one.



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

OK, Let’s Recap:

1] Read the read books we’ve mentioned for the 7 Day.

2] Stay alert for an online chat with Brian Russell.

3] Make sure your familiar with the blog posts from my blog that I mentioned. [Reading the comments can help too].



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

rachel, we have plenty of hang spots, but not necessarily where folks come for “community” we have the opportunity to develop THAT and people will be DRAWN to that



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

how does thursday of next week work for you to meet with Brian Russell?



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

It’s not that the bar, pubs, etc that Rachel mentions are something we’re avoiding, it’s just that in the evening they become very much all about drinking and the social element goes out the window…there aren’t many environments for people in an evening to just hang out in a chilled atmosphere without going out for a drive to an traditional countryside english pub.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

for me depends on time…but if I miss it i’ll be reading comments for sure.



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

by the way, how many of you are setting up Voxtropolis blogs?



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

I’ve started a group of 20 somethings. We gather the last Sunday of the month for CAFFIENATED. We throw up a short film or a rant, then we converse..We host it at local hang-outs and houses…..Its worked well, one thing that has been cool has been to have people right tough questions in a box. The anonomys nature of the BOX allows people to dig deep and not feel stupid…



Comment by Conrad

# January 31, 2006,

Thursday’s good…..same time?



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

If it’s at a similar time, I should be able to join the conversation.



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Eric, exactly. Bars are for drinking, clubs are for, well, you know, but a Café environment builds something different. We call it “Culture Pub.”



Comment by Conrad

# January 31, 2006,

Alex, I’ve never blogged before, but have been tempted to start on several occasions….Vox is really tempting me to jump in.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

cool ideas brandon, gonna copy some of that…ok?



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

I won’t be available - I’m playing with some guys in a worship band that night but Sam can tell me all about it and I’ll read everything afterwards.



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

alex,
next week thursday works.



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

My VOX is up…



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

You should, Conrad…you really should! (Apparently there’s an AMAZING support team as well should you need it!!)



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

its not mine eric….abundance its ours



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

conrad, alex et al are the reason i’ve started (since last march)…i’ve slowly worked into it and am now getting friends and family to begin as well…



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

I’ve got a vox blog. It’s taken a while to get used to but Sam is very helpful to have around! I’ll be checking out all of your blogs and future blogs



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

has anyone thought about how “Tagging” can be applied in a social sense as well. For instance at the VOX (physical) you could post amoungst different corners a message board, and groups could TAG what they are talking about so people walking in the door could jump right in….does this make sense



Comment by Eriq Devine

# January 31, 2006,

Thursday works for me. However, I do not think I will have time to get the book and have it read by then.



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Conrad, just click on the “Get a Vox Blog” on the top right of my blog. that will take you to another blog. Click on “Join Vox Now.” After that it is self explanatory. Let me know when you’ve got it set up.



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

conrad,
blog…great tool to expand your influence in your community.



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

We have to read the whole of the OT before Thursday?!



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

cool idea brandon, have you seen this in play…or the boards could post topics and blog address and then folks log on and interact…



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

Are we gonna talk about all of the crazy OT sex…seriously…its out of control.



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Is that a problem Sam?



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Of course not…I normally read through the OT once a week.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

you uk’ers are SO spiritual



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

Eric, I’m talking about a real table in a cafe and what ever the topic of discussion is tagged on a display screen on the wall above that table….so people just but in….if it says “Love” (open discussion)



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

It takes you a whole week?



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

got ya, i like it



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Rachel, what do you play?



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

The viola and piano and sing (not all at the same time!) Next week it’s the Viola…



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Yeah, I know. I’m slacking. Pray for me.



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Uh, Eric, I believe the proper term is H.M.S. (Her Majesty’s Sam)



Comment by Eriq Devine

# January 31, 2006,

My bad, I was thinking we needed to read the Celtic Way –George Hunter by Thurs.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

excuse please (head low)



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

I’m also going to line Eric Bryant to lead us in a one hour online chat on the Leadership Matrix.

Dave Auda will also return to lead us in a one hour online debrief on his small groups class.

How’s that sound?



Comment by Jon Olson

# January 31, 2006,

I can make next Thursday. Today got messed up with one of my denominational execs coming into town. I still need to read Spon.



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Rachel is a GREAT lead worshipper…you should make her work a bit when we’re over!!



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

dean, i’d like to connect sometime is there a time/day better for you, than not



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

Those both sound great Alex



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

alex,
that sounds great…looking forward to what eric has to say.



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

Sounds great, Alex. The regular cotact with each other and course leaders is definitely helpful.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

sounds great!



Comment by Conrad

# January 31, 2006,

Those classes sound great….I’d love to build on what Dave talked about with small groups and dive into some leadership issues around that topic.



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

Any time Eric. We’re only a short drive away from each other. Give me a ring 805-405-9828.



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

Alex, I think the general concensus is “sounds great!” :)



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

just tell me when and where…im’ in….



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

I just emailed Brian to set up our one hour online chat for Thursday of next week an Noon Pacific Standard time.



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

I play drums who wants to jam in LA?



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

thanks dean, will do



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

anyone in the Midwest (cincinnati)



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

How do i turn off the function where I get an email each time someone posts?



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

Howard, rock, jazz, latin?



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

I can hum out of tune if that’s any use, Howard?



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

Howard, jamming sounds fun! I can’t bring my piano - a bit too big for hand luggage!



Comment by Alex

# January 31, 2006,

The hour is up. Have a great week. See you next week or sooner in the blogosphere.



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

i have two spoons



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

Don’t be deceived, Sam has a perfectly good guitar!



Comment by Brandon Faris

# January 31, 2006,

yeah…later



Comment by Howard

# January 31, 2006,

4×4 rock and a little jazzy blues



Comment by Eric

# January 31, 2006,

see you all, howard, uncheck the little box under the text box



Comment by shaman

# January 31, 2006,

I gotta go everyone. Great talking to you and see you next week.



Comment by Sam.

# January 31, 2006,

See you all soon.



Comment by Rachel

# January 31, 2006,

See you guys later. We’re gonna watch CSI now….then go to sleep!



Comment by octavio

# January 31, 2006,

bye everyone…



Comment by Russell

# January 31, 2006,

Oh guys,
I must have fully missed the convo; I thought I had the time difference figured but it seems I haave missed you all. Am definitely excited about stuff next thurs, will have to figure out the time properly!
Seems like you’re all well



Comment by The Bishop

# February 1, 2006,

Well, busy day yesterday, so I missed the “ipo.” But, The Bishop here. My name is Jason, and I am a cultural missionary/church planter in West Texas.
Peace,
J



Comment by James Petticrew

# February 3, 2006,

hi alex! i ma missing california and it is cold an wet in kentucky pleae leave a message on my blog, thanks
mairi
xxx



Comment by Brandon Faris

# February 3, 2006,

Mairi,

Where are you from in Kentucky?

Brandon Faris