October 1-2 / Eighth Letter

The book of Revelation contains seven letters addressed to 1st century congregations struggling to find their identity.  Nearly two thousand years later we are asking some of the world’s leading thinkers, people you’ve never heard of and, well…you: what is your message for the Church in North America?

You’ve got 15 minutes to communicate your most pressing message to the Church. What will you say?  We invite you to submit your own message to the Church in North America and we’ll select the top submissions to also present their letter.  For more information about the submission process click here.

Join these folks who will be presenting their letter to the church…

Shane Claiborne
Andy Crouch
Len Sweet
Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove
[You]
Ron Sider
Wendy Gritter
Tim ChalliesSarah Lance
Makoto Fujimura
Jason Hildebrand

Website: Click here for more information
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Phone: 416.994.8960

Eighth Letter

In the New Testament there’s a book called Revelation that is mostly known for odd language, vivid imagery and providing much of the fodder of the Left Behind series.  A lesser-known fact about Revelation is that it contains seven letters to the early churches in their various specific contexts.  For example, the author John sends a letter to the ‘church in Philadelphia’, the ‘church in Laodecia’ and five others.  Depending on the unfolding narrative of the church, the letters contain everything from an encouraging ‘good job’ to a firm warning to ‘get your act together’.

I’m part of a group that thinks the church is amazing and flawed, beautiful yet scarred.  We plan and plot to accomplish anything that will challenge the church to really consider who and what Jesus is asking her to be here, today.

And so, about a year ago we had an idea for an event centered around the question, what would the author of Revelation say to the church in North America? Of course, since John has since passed on, we asked ourselves what would various other artists, visionaries and prophets say if they had one message for the church?  Thus, Eighth Letter was born.

On October 1-2, 2010 in Toronto, we’ve arranged for some of the world’s leading and unknown theologians, church thinkers, poets and prophets to present their most pressing message to the church and to do so in less than 15 minutes.  We’ve invited folks to present their spoken word message, their song, their choral piece and their art alongside of various more conventional presentations.  Confirmed presenters include Shane Claiborne, Andy Crouch, Makoto Fujimura, Wendy Gritter, Aileen VanGinkel, Ron Sider, Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove, Tim Challies and others.

We have also taken an open source approach to the event as we’re receiving letters from anyone who has a message for the Church.  The authors of the chosen submissions will be invited to present at the event alongside those already confirmed. If you have a message for the church please visit eighthletter.com and submit your letter for possible inclusion in this project.

The event will be held at St. Paul’s Bloor St. Anglican Church, arguably one of the most architecturally and liturgically significant spaces in North America.  The event will run from 7:30-10pm on October 1 and 8:30am – 5pm on October 2.  Registration is $100 before September 15 or $150 at the door and available at eighthletter.com.  There is a group rate available for 3 or more.