GlocalNet

Between now and next Thursday night - I’ll be writing some about our Global Faith Forum, what you can expect, what you can learn, building relationships - all of that.  If you have something you’d like me to write about - questions or tips or help - anything - if you send a comment, I’ll do it.  If it’s private just make sure I have your email address if you don’t want it on the blog.  For most of you, something like this is really new.  No shame in not knowing. 

We’re working on Kosher/Halal food, treats, etc - so it looks like everyone is going to be eating holy!  But trust me, you still get fat on that Holy Food - I know from first hand experience.  I’ve had a lot of people ask me what to wear.  Wear what you want, just be modest.  When I travel the world and I’m with diplomats and world leaders - I wear suits, and my boots sometimes (the Lucheses!). 
Shaking hands OK?  With men - yes.  With women - it depends - smile and introduce yourself - if they extend their hand, you can shake it - if they don’t, then don’t.  The key with the woman is you don’t initiate it.  You will hear people say “Salaam Alaikum”  and other people respond “Alaikum Salaam”  That means “peace be upon you” and the other person says “and peace upon you.”  You can say that to Muslims and they like it.  Shalom is the greeting Jews give one another, you do that as well.  But don’t get up tight - hello is just fine. 

When you come into the main worship center for the plenary times - and even in the breakouts - do your best to sit with people of different faiths.  It’s going to be a younger crowd with more Christians than Jews, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Atheist.  Ask questions!  How do you ask questions?  I generally start by, “Help me understand . . . . why is that?”  or “I’ve been under the impression that in your faith . . . . is that true?”  DO NOT be accusatory in your questioning or condescending.  When they ask you questions, make your answers simple and clear -if you give a long talk, you will lose them.  Imam Zia is really good at clear, simple, short answers - of coarse he has longer answers!  Mix small talk finding out about the person you’re talking to with other questions - you don’t want to interview someone - you want to have a conversation.  Introduce them to other people you know.  If you do something “culturally inappropriate” most people are forgiving - trust me I’m from Texas and we struggle there!!!  I’ve learned first hand!!! 

Kevin Hendricks of Church Marketing Sucks - what a name - just did an interview with Eboo Patel who will be coming to the Global Faith Forum.  http://cmsucks.us/6s  It’s on Muslims in America - you have to read it.  There are going to be some other blogs that people have told me they are doing, I’ll try to draw attention to them when they do. 

I’m excited and pumped about how this is all coming together.  There has been no budget, it’s all been emails, blogs, word of mouth - and we have several hundred that have already registered.  Some of the workshops are almost full - so if you’re waiting to register and you are want that “special workshop” you’d better get it now, it may be gone and we are limiting the amount of people in each workshop.  When the room is full it’s full!

I can’t wait for you to meet some of my friends.  To you it may be a “global faith forum” - to me - it’s gathering with some of my really good friends.  You all know the Christian guys speaking:  Os Guinness, Ray Bakke, Vance Pittman, Ed Stetzer, Mark Galli, Al Weiss, Ricky Paris, JD Greear, etc.  You’re going to love Eboo, Prince Turqi, Ambassador Phung, John Esposito (everyone of all religions pray that he will let me baptize him!), Suhail, Shamil - and a host of others. 

No manuals, no models, no fill in the blanks, no top 3 points, no superstars, no organization network to sign to be in -  -  -  -  -  -  just hundreds of us getting to know each other, starting a conversation, talking about our faith, learning to let the best of our faith serve each other, learning from each other. 

BTW - if you are a teenager Saturday lunch Ambassador Phung will be meeting with 100 youth giving an address, and encouraging them to visit Vietnam.  We have 2 youth trips scheduled this next year.  If you are a youth you can contact northwoodchurch.org the youth ministry and you can go.