Last November I got to go to the Off the Map Revolution Conference. It was a great time and I can't wait to go back to Seattle again (time and finances permitting) for this year's Off the Map Live Conference: Hear, Listen, Connect. With speakers like Brian McLaren, Diana Butler-Bass, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, and Todd Hunter among others, it should be a good time. I'm also especially looking forward to reconnecting with some of the friends I made out in Seattle the last time (whom I list at the post linked above).
This is from the website about the conference:
Hear·Listen·ConnectWhat would happen if we practiced dialog instead of debate?
What if we defended relational space as passionately as we protect our beliefs?
Take a few days off from your opinions and fears. Check your certainty at the door and join a group of fellow travelers as together we travel to new places in our spiritual thought life.
At Hear·Listen·Connect it's OK to be honest, share your own questions/concerns and have genuine relationship with people who are different than you.
Here are some questions we will explore together at Hear·Listen·Connect:
Where's the line between acceptance and endorsement and does that even matter?
Is it possible to have an agenda-free relationship and if so, is that OK?
How do you have conversations with people whose viewpoints disturb you?
What do you do when "they" move into your cultural space or you enter theirs?
You should all come too! :)
Labels: conferences
At 7/09/2007 12:57:00 AM, 
Steven Carr
'What would happen if we practiced dialog instead of debate?'
Easy. Atheists would then point out where you are going wrong.
'How do you have conversations with people whose viewpoints disturb you?'
It is very difficult as such people will tend to cut off all dialogue with you.
All you can do is forgive them, be very, very patient, and explain that the door to dialogue is always open.
Glad to hear you're coming out, Mike! Let's try to carve out some time to chat. I'd love to hear how things are going this year for you and Julie and the crew.