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Brian McLaren in Glasgow

Posted by Andy Carlisle on 15 Dec 2008

Ruth and I were invited to hear Brian McLaren speak at Queen’s Park Baptist, now led by Iain Macaulay (the Macaulays send their love to all at Heaton). Wikipedia describes Brian as a prominent, controversial voice in the emerging church movement...

He was recognised as one of Time magazine's "25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America" and is the founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland. Brian’s visit was arranged by the Evangelical Alliance and was a stimulating, interesting and thought provoking experience. He described his journey as a pastor of a church in America and how he grappled with the questions of faith and doubt that led him to radically rethink how he interacted with the Bible and with those who had no faith.

He is a deep thinker and humble with it. He has been influenced by Tom Wright’s writings and described how uncomfortable his leadership became when the church he pastored welcomed in the poor and marginalised. Many in his church found the experience challenged them to the core. His style of communicating leads you to believe he is in a dialogue rather than being an expert, dishing out truth. He encourages us as Christians to be those who listen to those we disagree with and be lifelong learners. If you get a chance to hear him or read some of his books, you may not like all you hear - but you will be challenged. If you want to read a bit more about his views have a look at this article.

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