Through various conversations and reading, we have been able to dream about what we want our gathering to look like and the things we want to strive for in our community. Frank Viola, in his book, Reimagining Church, puts it beautifully.
We desire to be a people of:
- interdependence instead of independence
- wholeness instead of fragmentation
- participation instead of spectatorship
- connectedness instead of isolation
- solidarity instead of individualism
- spontaneity instead of institutionalization
- relationship instead of programs
- servitude instead of dominance
- enrichment instead of insecurity
- freedom instead of bondage
- community instead of corporation
- bonding instead of detachment
We pray, moving forward, that these things characterize our family and those we gather with more and more. Our hope is that we start to look so radically different from our world and from the current church culture that we help to strip away those things that hinder the souls around us who question Christianity, or have been wounded by the church, in order that more may know the wondrous love of Jesus.
I feel I must take this moment to make a quick disclaimer as we move forward in pursuing gatherings this way. We have so many friends and family that are a part of "institutional" church families and are doing effective ministry, led by the Spirit. They seek the Lord daily for direction and love those around them who don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are in no way saying that everyone must abandon the places where they are plugged in and in community to do it "our" way. Just as our friends are led by God to be where they are, so we are being led by God to form a place where not only those who would never step foot through a 'traditional' church door will feel safe to ask questions, seek answers, and simply come to know God without all the other additives that sometimes come along with 'church,' but also for those like us who find that there are things we want to address about the current way the church relates to those both inside and outside its walls.
We are in no way exalting an "us vs. them" mentality, but a missional mindset that works hand in hand with all believers from every background, because it is for His glory that any of us are here to begin with. I hope this helps alleviate any feelings that we may be "dogging" the church as we try to convey our heart and vision in future posts :-) Love you all and thank you for your prayers!
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Good clarifications. I like the list of polarities. But more than anything, I like the disclaimer at the end.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed important for everyone to stay humble in each individual approach to living out our faith. And one of the biggest messages that's (often subconsciously) communicated by "House Church People" is that everyone else is some corporate tool or something. Even though I would say that I sympathize greatly with the ideals of the house church movement, I hesitate to brand myself as a "house church person" because of these imbalances that often crop up in these circles.
So all that to say: I'm glad to see that you guys recognize this tension, and I exhort you to continue in this vein of humility as you move forward in faith to what God has called you to do and be!
I agree with Eric above. Thanks for the clarification.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless your efforts as you seek to be another part of His diverse body to reach those He so desperately loves.