Perhaps the only thing more challenging than growing a young adult ministry may be growing a young adult ministry in secular England… Yet college chaplain, author and theologian Maggi Dawn has done just that.A musician by background, liturgist at heart, and writer of growing renown, Maggi tells us how she found and engineered growth with a college chaplaincy in one of the most challenging environments around.
Full disclosure: I’ve known Maggi for more than 15 years (seminary friends). Her creativity and intellect has put her on the cutting edge in many areas of theology, which means when she talks/writes/blogs/tweets I listen.
Synopsis
Maggi’s passion for drawing people toward a deeper contemplation of God is unsurpassed. Just take a look at her popular blog, that reaches thousands of people every week. Her latest book, Accidental Pilgrim, is a first person vehicle for her theologizing – and just may become her most popular. As you’ll see in this interview, her thoughtful, laid back approach to God and the work of the Gospel is as refreshing as it is inspiring.
Maggi’s passion for drawing people toward a deeper contemplation of God is unsurpassed. Just take a look at her popular blog, that reaches thousands of people every week. Her latest book, Accidental Pilgrim, is a first person vehicle for her theologizing – and just may become her most popular. As you’ll see in this interview, her thoughtful, laid back approach to God and the work of the Gospel is as refreshing as it is inspiring.
Here are my notes from the interview:
Ministry by Accident
Maggi talks about the importance of embracing the freedom to experiment in her ministry with young adults and how it paid off in the creation of The Ambient Mass. Much of the Holy Spirit’s work is unpredictable (at best) though discoverable as we try new things.
Start with Your Gifts
Maggi found success at her chaplaincies when she learned to do three things: truly listen to people and respect what they have to say; share the power – even when it means putting up with the mistakes; and being authentic in all that she did.
Edit the Words
Maggi’s general criticism for much of the Church’s liturgy is its wordiness. Can we find a way to cut down on the words, make room for silence, and strike the balance between making worship accessible yet challenging?
About Maggi Dawn:
Maggi Dawn is chaplain and fellow of theology at Robinson College at the University of Cambridge (UK). In addition to her recent book, Accidental Pilgrim which will be available in the U.S. in paper, she’s written The Writing on the Wall, Giving it Up, and Beginnings and Endings (and What Happens in Between).
Books Maggi Recommnds:
Anything by Thomas Brackett – Especially his blog.
Anything by Jonny Baker – Especially his blog.
Sponsors I Mentioned:
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