Meet-Ups, for professional faith leaders (lay and ordained) in regions across the country, create communities of progressive faith leaders who gather for support, action, reflection and prayer.  In several communities The Beatitudes Society Meet-Ups exist to offer an informal, regular forum of companionship, leisure, and strategic thinking for progressive Christian leaders. Moreover, it connects progressive Christians in the local context to a growing network of Christians with similar commitments across the country. Connecting to this network will facilitate the sharing of best practices, liturgical and issue-based resources, and develop an organic relationship between progressive Christian seminarians, pastors, activists and professionals.

Meet-Ups of The Beatitudes Society provide the community that sustains the hard work of social change through reflective and prayerful gatherings.  These gatherings can provide a safe place to practice progressive Christianity, to share concerns, to have conversation about current events and issues, and to synthesize formative experiences with theological understanding and ministry.  Reflection in community can help clarify views, learn new perspectives, and provide opportunity to receive positive feedback from others.

Some activities that groups might consider:
•    Beatitudes-themed worship services led by Meet-Up members
•    Greening local congregations with eco-friendly initiatives
•    Bring a topic to a meeting to spark great conversation
•    Bringing speakers to meetings.  For example: Leaders of local organizations such as a free trade coffee representative, activists working to stop human trafficking in your community or nationally recognized progressive Christian authors.
•    Movie screenings and discussions:  Inconvenient Truth, SiCKO, Crossing Arizona, etc. or movies paired to a specific beatitude.
•    Exploring our small group study: A Progressive Christian Vision for Our Time.  This small group process includes theological and biblical exploration as well as reflection on the social, cultural and political issues of the day, and the contemplative spiritual practices that under gird faithful witness.
•    Book discussions that center around progressive Christian theology and practice or examine a popular work of fiction along side progressive Christian thought and action
•    Monthly fellowship and conversation gatherings such as Theology on Tap
•    Social Networking Seminar for Faith Leaders

Big Events
Occasionally, Meet-Ups might want to plan a larger-scale event as it fits into your vision and mission in your community.  For example:  The Beatitudes Society Campus Chapter at Methodist Theological School in Ohio organized a fabulous event called “Liberation!” which centered on their chapter’s focus of ending modern slavery.  They had participants from both campus and community attend a one-day conference with invited speakers, food, and fellowship.  It was a great success and exemplified their chapter’s focus beautifully.

This same chapter is now organizing an event led by our Circuit Rider, Kimberly - Social Networking Seminar for Progressive Faith Leaders. In this workshop participants will explore how tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Ning can extend the boundaries of traditional ministry, encourage learning, sharing and discussion and open another door into your local church. In the time together participants also explore how social media is transforming the discussion of theology and ministry in the church. It’s a simple, fun, clear and relevant look at social networking tools for communities of faith.

To find out more about starting a Beatitudes Society Meet-Up in your community email me - kimberly@BeatitudesSociety.org and let’s get started!