The One Project--San Diego

[Gregory Matthews]

Well, The One Project--San Diego has come and  gone.  I was there and I will report here on it and open this thread up for comments.  However, I do not have time right now to do that.  So, the  thread will remain closed until  I can take the time to write my initial report and then I will open it up for comments.

 

As you comment, I will ask you  to tell us whether or not you  were  there, or if you are making comments based upon 2nd hand information.

 

I hope to open this thread up tomorrow, February 13, 2015.

 

I will share one story that is tangentially related to my reason for wanting to know if you attended or if you rely on 2nd hand information.

 

Chris Oberg was one of the speakers.  People, to include those who attended the San Diego Gathering had questions about Chris Oberg:

1)  How was/is Chris related to the Presbyterian church.

2)  How was/is Chris related to the authorship of books such as "Faith and Doubt"

 

The questions were such that Chris Oberg needed to begin the talk by addressing them.

 

I would not be surprised to see questions about Chris Oberg raised in this thread and I will want to know if any person who raises such questions in CA actually attended and personally heard the response that Chris Oberg made.

 

Over 1,000 people attended the two day Gathering of The One Project in San Diego.

 

Once 1,000 people had registered, people were told that the maximum had been reached and that the hotel could not accommodate any more and they could not attend.  But, some came anyway and they were allowed to attend.

 

The central theme of the conference was focused on the words of Christ as found in Matthew, chapters 5, 6 & 7. 

 

Those who came divided themselves into about 100 groups of 10 people each.  The two day Gathering was divided into eight (8) sessions.  Each Session began with a short worship which, for the first seven (7) sessions was followed by either two or three speakers.  Each speaker was preceded by a reading of a Biblical passage from the chapters listed above.  Then the speakers spoke on the meaning and application of that passage to the lives of us today.  These sessions then ended with a group discussion of how  the members had been stimulated in the understanding and application of the Biblical passages to their lives. 

 

The 8th session was a bit different.  It was  a Communion service with individual prayers that God would bless in the lives of the members of the group.

 

This is a brief statement as to what The One Project, San Diego was all about.  I was there.

 

The discussion is now open.

[Tom Wetmore]

I was not there, so anything I would be able to say would be second hand. I do have a question. We're any of the sessions taped, and if so will those video's be made available at some point?

I do look forward to more reports.

[Gregory Matthews]

Taped messages:  I think that I know the answer.   But, I will refrain from answering until I have a more definitive response.

 

NOTE:  I do not object to people who did not attend  posting comments.  I simply would like to know if they were there.

[Gregory Matthews]

I now have the answer:  A tape of the TOP Gathering will be placed online in 6 - 8 weeks.

 

The rest is my response which is simply my thinking:

 

TOP San Diego was professionally taped with both stationary and mobile professional video cameras.  That was needed both for the production of a later tape as well as for  projection on the multiple large screens that were needed for audience viewing and for inclusion of the groups in the final tape.  With multiple cameras involved, time is needed to splice together the multiple feeds into one coherent tape.

 

The above is just me and my thinking.

 

The bottom line, the video taping was Hollywood level quality.  The video equipment and cameral personal were professional.

 

Now for those who would ask why SDAs were not used:  Why do you assume that SDAs were not used? 

[JoeMo]

I'm excited to hear and see what happened in San Diego!  I wasn't there; but from what I have seen and heard on CA ond on TOP website, it looks like TOP is one of the greatest grass-roots SDA movements in a long time.  I have been enjoying the daily devotionals from TOP so much that I have even emailed some of the contributors.  I'm excited about the August 1:1 here in the Denver Metro area.

[Gregory Matthews]

For the August brief Gathering in Boulder, see that thread in this section.

[Bill Cork]

I was there.  I saw Gregory Matthews.  :-)  I was a table facilitator, with a good bunch of folks.  Jesus was preached.  People conversed.  It had the feel of a high tech camp-meeting, and I bumped into lots of folks I knew, some I hadn't seen in 30+ years.

Gregory, I confess I am a little confused. The statements you make about Chris Oberg (Pastor of the La Sierra University Church) seem to be talking about John Ortberg (Pastor of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, and author of a book called, "Faith and Doubt").

I say it had the feel of camp-meeting, and I mean this two ways.  It was a family reunion, and it was an "in-house" meeting.  The presenters were primarily from Adventist institutions located in Adventist enclaves (Loma Linda, Silver Spring, La Sierra, Berrien Springs, Walla Walla, Angwin, etc.).  An exception was Michaela Lawrence Jeffery, campus minister at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  But as such, the issues discussed seemed to be addressed to those carrying Adventist institutional baggage.  

 

I think (as I said to you) this would be improved by including speakers who are not rooted in Adventist institutions, who are ministering in the wider world, who are conversant with the questions and issues that face the tens of millions of people who have never heard of Seventh-day Adventists.  There needs to be more to the Adventist mission in the world than the presented options of ADRA and sheltering the homeless.

That said, the focus of most of the speakers was on unpacking the Sermon on the Mount.  They wrestled with the words of Jesus.  Too often I think Protestants slide past Jesus' words, in order to theologize about him, placing, I think, more emphasis on Pauline and Johannine theological formulations than on the simple teachings of Jesus. 

All the speakers were excellent. But I think the speakers who gave witness to their own struggles in life were the most powerful.  I heard a number of people say they felt Michaela to be the best speaker for this reason.

Some folks on another website tried to pit TOP against GYC.  I don't think that's necessary. Dwight Nelson has spoken at both.  A lot of folks attend both kinds of events.  I've been to one of each.  TOP seems to be focused on a somewhat disillusioned Adventist institutional crowd that needs to hear Jesus preached simply, while GYC started as a primarily an offshoot of the Michigan Conference's public campus ministry. These are young people who are not burned out on Adventism, who live in a world that doesn't center on Adventism, and they are eager for good Adventist preaching and solid teaching with an apologetic emphasis.  I'd rather see both events happen on a smaller scale, on a regional basis, with more cross-fertilization of speakers.   

That's my two cents. :-)

[Gregory Matthews]

Bill said:

 

 

Gregory, I confess I am a little confused. The statements you make about Chris Oberg (Pastor of the La Sierra University Church) seem to be talking about John Ortberg (Pastor of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, and author of a book called, "Faith and Doubt").

 

Do your recall the comments that Chris Oberg made at the beginning of her talk?  She was clear in that people were confusing her with John Ortberg.   I found that quite funny and wondered if anyone would do that on the Internet.  So, I phrased my comment in a manner not to give my point away.  However, your point has been recognized by others.

 

As to some of the other comments that you made:  I have pointed out to the people in charge of TOP--San Diego that the various speakers were not consistent in some aspects of their presentations.  I believe that they recognized this also.  I have made some suggestions on some basic issues.  I believe that the TOP Board will consider the suggestions that have been made by myself and by others.   I am not being specific here as I believe that such conversations should be with the few rather than in public. 

 

The TOP Board believes in setting objectives, planning, evaluating the extent to which the plan accomplished the objectives and making needed changes.  IOW, every Gathering is a learning experience. 

[Bill Cork]

I guess I was distracted during the opening of her talk and did not catch that. :-)

[JoeMo]

Bill said:

"I think (as I said to you) this would be improved by including speakers who are not rooted in Adventist institutions, who are ministering in the wider world, who are conversant with the questions and issues that face the tens of millions of people who have never heard of Seventh-day Adventists. There needs to be more to the Adventist mission in the world than the presented options of ADRA and sheltering the homeless."

 

I wasn't there; but I am excited to go to the Boulder gathering in August.  I like what Bill said.  I think that all Christians (not just SDA's) could benefit from meaningful, positive dialogue with those from other CHRISTIAN denominations.  I charismatic preacher (of which there are several excellent ones in the Denver area) or a Catholic priest would be acceptable to me (maybe not to others).  An objective sermon/seminar on what the Emergent Church is or is NOT would be a great topic.  I'm OK with messages not consistently preaching doctrinal carbon copies of of each other.  I'm also OK with people preaching outside of the traditional SDA envelope - we may learn something!  We need to take the attitude of "What does The Book say?  What does the Spirit say?" rather than "You're wrong - let me show you ..."

 

I probably shouldn't be saying this kind of stuff, since  I've never been to a gathering.  Who am I to  make these kind of statements?

 
 

[Gregory Matthews]

Here is one report of TOP--San Diego:

 

http://atoday.org/one-project-christ-centered-unity-unexplained-questions-criticism.html

[Gail]

I am currently reading Dave Fiedler's book, Tremble. In it he alleges Emergent church influence, naming Leonard Sweet and his support for mystical breathing practises and lectio divina. The concern of the author of this book is that the belief of God being in the state of an essence which is present in everything, even you and me (in a different sense than Christ dwelling in the heart of a believer).

Can you tell me if this element comes up in the One Project? Have you seen it- proponents of contemplative prayer and the accompanying meditation practices? I have heard much, read much but have not personally met or spoken with someone actually involved regarding the topic.

Another interesting point the book brings out is that the main developers of the One Project are graduates from George Fox University, which is named after the Quaker founder. There are theological differences with Adventists there...

Am interested in gaining info from people involved- much appreciated!

[Gregory Matthews]

_{Gail asked:}

 

 

 

Can you tell me if this element comes up in the One Project? Have you seen it- proponents of contemplative prayer and the accompanying meditation practices? I have heard much, read much but have not personally met or spoken with someone actually involved regarding the topic.

 

_{I did not see any of the above at San Diego.}

 

_{I will respond later to the George Fox University issue.}

[LifeHiscost]

Can you tell me if this element comes up in the One Project? Have you seen it- proponents of contemplative prayer and the accompanying meditation practices? I have heard much, read much but have not personally met or spoken with someone actually involved regarding the topic.

 There are theological differences with Adventists there...

 

I'm wondering if the reason some haven't experienced it is because the enemy of souls knows they are too close to the Word and would not be easy to be given over to the deceit involved? No desire to point fingers, it just seems to be reasonable considering this advice by the Holy Spirit.

 

11whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord....2 Peter

 

9But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.…Jude 1

 

God is Love!  Jesus saves!    

[JoeMo]

"mystical breathing practises and lectio divina."

 

​IMO, there are extremes in every movement.  I have been a practitioner of what some would call contemplative prayer for several years; where I quiet my mind and body; and envision Jesus and I just hanging out.  Sometimes it's in old Israel; and sometimes its around town where I live.  Sometimes we just hang out for a while; but often we have quite animated conversations.  Usually it s an "instant download" that takes me a while to unwind.

 

The point I am making is that the focus of the true contemplative prayer or meditation meditation is Jesus; not "nothing" or the "divine ether" that pervades the universe.  Almost everyone I know that practices Christian contemplative prayer (mostly non SDAs) does it this way.  Those who want to practice mystical transcendental meditation can go be Moonies or something; but Christian mediation involves focus on God or His Word; and then verifying any "downloads" you may receive in God's Word.

 

Do a word study on the words "meditate" and "meditation" in the Bible.  You will find meditation practiced by God's holy ones throughout scripture.  They provide the example of how to enter into contemplative prayer.

[Gail]

Complete with mantra? I find that a bit of a stretch.

Thanks, Gregory; so appreciate it

[Gregory Matthews]

Life, I am not totally certain as to what you said.  I suppose that a reasonable statement would be that you believe that I am so close to the Word t hat the Enemy of Souls knew that I would not be deceived.   O.K.

 

In any case, that which Gail asked about, simply was not there.

 

A better approach would be to look at the various speakers and who they were.  Don't focus on the one non-SDA who spoke.   Focus on the well known SDA speakers.  Do you suggest that they all would participate in what Gail asked about.

 

O.K.  Are  you aware of the General Conference, and other SDA leasers who were present at San Diego TOP?  I can tell you that they were there.   They can give testimony as to what went on.

 

Well, you can speculate, all that you desire, as to what might have gone on.  But, more than 1,000 people attended.   Well known SDA speakers (and one non-SDA) spoke.  SDA leaders on multiple levels attended, to include Conference leadership from the Conference where I attend.  They all know what went on.  Were you there?  As I understand it, you were not.  If you were, I was wrong and will ask you to tell us what you personally observed.

 

NOTE:  We had people there in San Diego from the General Conference, the North American Division, one or more Union Conferences and more than one local Conference..

 

NOTE:  I will respond later to the George Fox issue.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

lots of SDAs have attended George Fox University... in fact, a local SDA counseling facility provides internships for a number of GFU's psychology/counseling students 

 

George Fox is a highly respected school...

[Gregory Matthews]

I have moved this post, and a preceding one on George Fox University # 1 to the TOP General thread.

[Gregory Matthews]

I have moved this post to the TOP General thread.

[Gail]

I have moved Gail's post to the TOP General thread.

[Gregory Matthews]

I have moved this post to the TOP General thread.

[aka]

Sorry for being so late to this discussion I just started reading today.

 

I'm going to hit that "follow this topic" button at the top to keep up with developments.

 

JoeM wrote "but Christian mediation involves focus on God or His Word; and then verifying any "downloads" you may receive in God's Word. Do a word study on the words "meditate" and "meditation" in the Bible.  You will find meditation practiced by God's holy ones throughout scripture." 

 

Well said.

 

If we have church members around us who have never meditated on Jesus and his activities on earth and in heaven, or never focused on Jesus living out the plan  of salvation for us fallen sinners, then we hardly can have fellowship in unity with the spiritual body of Christ.

 

I can't imagine any one of us here wishes to be supporters of the Vatican, supporters of the RCC erroneous doctrines, and especially having aims of being supporters of Jesuit's agenda. When we are against other dogma or doctrines we need to know why from Scripture's empirical evidence.