Welcome to the internet conversation of the Gospel and Our Culture Network (GOCN). The GOCN is a network of Christian scholars, pastors, and church leaders who attempt to look at North American culture from the perspective of the Christian gospel. The Network has formed out of an awareness that the role of the church, and of Christianity in general, is changing dramatically in North American culture. Old paradigms are breaking down, and we need to explore fresh visions for what it means to be the church, and what it means to bear witness in our rapidly changing situation. For details on publications and activities, reference the website at www.gocn.org.

This discussion list is intended to address the concerns which have been raised in the GOCN as a whole. Questions, comments, thoughts, and proposals are welcome in all areas related to understanding the impact of the gospel on North American culture, and the role of the church in living in that intersection between gospel and culture. The list is intended to be broadly ecumenical in scope and inclusive of a wide range of people, but it is also intended to maintain a focused point of discussion on the GOCN themes and therefore is a moderated discussion.

These are the kinds of themes on which comment is especially invited:

1) What does it mean to be the church in our culture? What forms and practices best empower the church to bear witness in North America?

2) What is the significance of the gospel in our culture? What are the theological challenges we face in our changing context?

3) How should we look at our culture from the perspective of the gospel? What are appropriate Christian analyses of modernity, post-modernity, pluralism and the other forces which are sweeping through our culture?