a l i v e & a w a k e

1.    Church for people who aren’t into church

This statement has been the slogan since day one of The Meeting House community back in 1986. There are 2 different types of ‘church’s’ in this statement: the church people aren’t into, and the church we are truly called to be (my take).            

I’ll start with the Church that people aren’t into. What comes to mind? It is what the church is regrettably mostly known for: religious, money taking, self preserving, guilt and shame, prejudice, dogmatic, angry, punishment, a building, a bible.   The list goes on but you can fill in your own impression. It is not all bad of course, but it means crossing many social and sub cultural barriers before you can get the ‘goods’. You belong and prove yourself worthy of those goods once you look like, talk like, pay like, and think like the group of people of this particular expression.  

At best this people group will try to attract others into their sub culture by promising the good news. It will have many programs and events for people to dedicate themselves to and the upkeep of the places and programs in essence will need the new people they are trying to attract.

 

The other ‘church’ term is maybe not as understood but much more powerful. It is a group of people who are given the name church because of the person of Christ. IT is a relational term first that involves an inward process of transformation. That transformation speaks of the growing attributes of God revealing Himself in and through the people.  Attributes like peace, love, forgiveness, joy and generosity that are shown in real tangible ways to people who are suffering, alone, financially struggling, abused and poor. It is a people not restricted to space, events or time slots in a week but are called to be active in every moment, place and situation. The people called church are sent into the world and the only ‘attractional’ thing about them is Christ in them (not relying on buildings, events and catchy methods).

 

So what can that look like? Ideally at the Meeting House we believe the power of a group of people who support and cultivate the fullness of Christ in each other will change their city –we call it Home Church. We have talked again and again about what it means to have Home Church and the intentional community relationships there to be an entry point into our community at large. Nice ideal, however how do you start? I have seen people enter Home Churches in Brampton who knew nothing about the Meeting House, Bruxy or our services yet they knew people who knew them, supported them and did life together as neighbours. When the neighbours saw Christ working they asked more questions and wanted to check out what was going on. They had an easier time going to someone’s home with their friend to learn more about what compels them.

Getting close to people and intentionally building relationships was the first practice.

I find new thoughts can come when we take a look at our beginnings. It is true for an individual as much as it is for us as community.

Feedback?