ROOTS Vision Statement
“Creating space to inspire spiritual renewal, effective mission, a prophetic voice and pioneering spirit”
At the close of ROOTS 2008 it was announced that following fourteen consecutive events ROOTS would take a break in 2009. The event had grown from a few hundred people gathering in Cefn Lea, Mid-Wales, to a few thousand enjoying a diverse programme held across various venues in Southport. The tremendous impact upon the territory was hard to measure yet there was no doubt that ROOTS delegates had been inspired and equipped for spiritual renewal and mission. The 2008 theme ‘Going Public’ turned the focus outward, inspiring ROOTS delegates to return home and impact their communities.
There were some practical reasons to take a break. The original home of ROOTS in the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre was undergoing a major extension and refurbishment. Princes Park, where the iconic ROOTS Big Top was pitched each year had been ear marked for new commercial development. However logistics were not the deciding factor. In 2007 the Territorial Commander had given permission to undertake a ROOTS Review to assess the fruit of the event and inform future thinking. It was clear from the review that time was needed to develop new and diverse initiatives to equip grass roots Salvationists for the different contexts in which they lived. It was decided to break and give time to prayerfully consider the future.
The vision for the future of ROOTS is to create spaces to inspire spiritual renewal, effective mission, a prophetic voice and a pioneering spirit. The concept of ‘spaces’ is key to the future ideas for the ROOTS family.
Many people have said that ROOTS is more than a conference. While the yearly gathering is so central it is clear that ROOTS needs to grow beyond one event in Southport to fulfil its vision.
With this in mind a fantastic group of people are beginning to meet and plan four key ROOTS spaces:
ROOTS Conference, the popular yearly gathering in Southport.
ROOTS Equip, looking specifically at how the ROOTS Conference can provide seminars and training initiatives of value to the wider work of the Salvation Army and it’s members.
ROOTS Engage, a future initiative to build on the amazing ROOTS heritage of engaging with the wider community in effective witness, public life and social justice.
ROOTS Emergent, as yet an undefined space to equip and inspire key workers involved in emerging models of mission and expressions of church.
Click here to see who is on each of these planning groups
Watch out for future announcements as these ideas develop into exciting new spaces.
Click here to find out what’s going on at ROOTS Conference 2010
ROOTS International
ROOTS UK is part of the ROOTS International Partnership, including other ROOTS Events and partner projects around the globe.
Visit www.rootsonline.org our international web page with links to the other events and projects.
