Transient People's Church

The Hub continues to produce some interesting conversations, and I have even begun to invite a couple of 'regulars' to go for a coffee afterwards. But my reflection this week has really been on the transient nature of the Hub. Yes we are having conversations with people, but its not the same people who are in every week to establish a 'group'. Last week we gave out little stones and the leaflet talked about symbolically placing the stone in a place that was hard. This really seemed to connect with people, and some moving stories emerged. I had just walked in the shop and a lady was paying at the counter as I started to set up - still with my coat on. I gave her a leaflet and a stone, she read it and burst into tears. 'This is just what I need today' she said. She didn't go to church, and the conversation didn't even include God, and yet I found myself praying with her. She is not that local, and no one has seen her since, but that connection, and conversation - were hugely significant. My husband had a similar experience in the homeless project, and would love to carry on supporting a young lad who has run away from home and refused to go with the Barnado's people who are part of our team. As I have reflected and prayed for the lady and the boy since, I wonder how they are doing, and whether the situations they described have got any better. The question arose in my mind - do I want to see them again for my benefit or theirs?

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We long to carry on the support and finish the story. But perhaps the more we 'do church' in a transient setting, the less likely it will be that we embark on a longer term ministry. That is hard. Most of our church conditioning has taught us to look for outcomes - bums on seats and spiritual development. The temptation is to only go for the things that may provide such tangable results. I remember grappling with this very issue on the online assignment, where our group was discovering what church in a shopping centre might look like. If emerging church is about forming a group and allowing something to emerge, is this kind of encounter what we should be looking for? But I am also left thinking if I had not been there, would the lady have had the opportunity, on the very day things had all blown up for her, to talk. I believe in that moment God had placed me where she was, and if I never see her again, I have to trust that I was a small part of her journey toward God and other people have played other parts. A Salvation Army songwriter Joy Webb once wrote;

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'We pass as ships in the night, my world in orbit of theirs,

But for just one moment of time, I could be the answer to their prayers.'

Emerging church is not neat and tidy church. Perhaps we just need to hand over control of outcomes alittle more often to the One who can truly see the bigger picture!

Exciting times

Everybody seems to be having such a good time with their projects its encouraging to read. Have been reading 'Why we're not emergent' (Deyoung & Klunk) and basically they take 257 pages almost saying if its fun its not church! They accuse the emerging church of being lazy on doctrine and weak on tough issues. I think they highlight the dangers of watering down the Gospel but they fail to see the starting point of emerging church is community, not the Gospel. I think its all about context and agenda. If the agenda is purely to perpetuate the church, then the context will be very different from an agenda that starts with connecting with people, and creating true fellowship where Christ is central. The two are not a million miles apart in Christian thinking, but in terms of method the gap widens considerably. If there is room for spirituality to emerge, then surely we need to trust that doctrine and ethics can emerge too.

My own project was quite exciting last week, not least because I wasn't there but it happened anyway! The charity shop manager so wanted the Hub to continue, she offered to do it herself. The focal point was music and people were encouraged to listen music that lifted them. She chose some really good tracks to play during the hour, including 'Footprints in the sand', 'I hope you dance' and 'Wind beneath my wings'. I was thrilled that she had grasped the concept that inspiring music can be 'spiritual' even if it was not written with God in mind, and was able to tap into the sort of music that would be appreciated by a group of predominantly older ladies. This week everyone is to be given a small stone to symbolically place in a situation that is hard, as a reminder there are people who care.

When is church church?

Thanks for the comment. Interestingly, the same thoughts were in my mind. Is it right to do something that resembles church right from the beginning, or should we not have this element until the time is right. Then how do you know when the time is right, and how do you introduce something 'religious' without people thinking they have been conned into something? A happy medium seemed to me to be a 'focal point' that has no religious jargon but makes people think. For some it will make spiritual connections, for others it will not and that is okay. The focal point purposely did not mention God or church specifically, but encouraged people to think outside of their own little world to their community and the world beyond. I have read much on invading secular space that leads me to believe it is largely Christians who maintain the divide between the spiritual and the secular. My hope is that people will find themselves in a 'spiritual space' and an encounter with God without actually realising how they got there!

Welcome to the Hub

In view of previous discussion, it was decided the coffee evening was too much of 'an event' and not enough of 'an incarnational expression.' The simplest way to make the shift was to change the time so we could engage with people who were already there shopping and chatting. Yesterday we launched 'the hub' - (a little more upbeat, alittle less twee than a coffee evening) over lunchtime and had some really positive conversations. Our advertising reads thus:

Welcome to ‘The Hub’

Hub means centre, or meeting place. In the middle of the week, take a little time to chat, reflect, and share with others.

Fun – quizzes and extra bargains

Conversation – talk about issues that affect you. ‘Listening ear’ if you need to talk somewhere quiet.

Focal point – with ideas that might just help you change the world a little.

The focus point is actually a prayer station, which yesterday very gently encouraged people to Thank - say thanks for all they have but often take for granted, to Take - some goodies to eat, and to Think about those for who may be hungry today. The shop was very busy but Alec, friend Laura and I spoke to every person who came into the shop between 12.30-2pm and struck up significant conversations with some. A few people recognised what we were trying to do resembled 'church' and the conversation was able to go in a spiritual direction. A few picked up on the focal point and starting talking about what they were doing to try to help/transform their local community. Most thought it was a really good idea and would try to create a little more time to do the quiz another time. What was missing was coffee! We haven't quite worked out the health and safety aspects of this, but it could be possible if we gave out hot drinks with lids on. Next week we will throw in some Christian music to mix with the 'easy listening' already piped into the shop, and it may be appropriate later to introduce a prayer book. All in all it was much nearer the focus I had invisaged at the start, and has potential to 'emerge' into whatever God wants it to be!

Incarnational living?

Thank God for encouraging husbands!

Alec read yesterday's blog entry and suggested I was selling myself short. He reminded me that the emerging ministries in our church had been along time coming, and was often a long and painful journey for those involved. He reminded me too that I did have a passion for those people in the shop to meet Jesus and maybe I just needed to start by getting to know them better. My own 'soapbox' that has characterised my ministry for the past 15 years came back to haunt me through his words! And that particular soapbox is? - That we should get to know people's real needs rather than working on perceived ones. When working with other agencies I am always banging on about identifying what people actually need rather than providing programmes that fit a criteria set by someone who thinks they know what they need (if that makes sense). This is no different. I have identified what I think these ladies need, but do not know them well enough to establish what they themselves want. Working with the group's agenda rather than the church's has marked both the success and the struggle of the groups I mentioned - success being measured in transformed lives. My new challenge is therefore to get to know them better, rather than trying to get them together in a group. One person I do know is the manager, (my lapsed Christian from a previous entry) who wants the project to work because this way of doing church could be beneficial to her.

Similar musings

Having played catchup on everyone else's blogs, I realise much of my reflection and thinking is similar to yours. Like Claire I want to get away from planning events and create something that is alot less formal with alot more ownership. And thinking about what constitutes 'church' is really what this is all about. As I look around me it seems other people in my church are doing emerging church alot better than me. What sets them apart is their passion and ownership for what they are doing. The homeless project, detached work with young people, youth disciplining programme and new children's ministries have all 'emerged' through people who are called by God and do it out of conviction. This passion is contagious and leads to action in others. Although I can take little credit for any of this, a few thoughts have struck me.
Firstly, have my mentoring conversations, many of which have enthusiastically introduced emerging church principles and examples actually led to my church 'emerging' into a new mindset and way of doing things?
Secondly, is my struggle to get my own project right a reflection of a lack of real passion for the people I am trying to reach?
Thirdly, is my project too much of an event and not enough of an incarnational expression?

Fashion Quiz

Hi Guys, thanks for the encouraging comments. Thought you might like to do the quiz so here it is.

FASHION QUIZ

1. Where are you most likely to browse for clothes online?

A www. Selfridges

B www. Top shop

C www. Fairtrade cotton

D www. Ebay

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2. Where would you really like to buy your shoes from?

A Prada

B River Island

C Clarks

D Quite happy with the local charity Shop

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3. Where would be your favourite shopping destination?

A Designer Outlet Village

B Large Shopping Centre

C Local High Street

D Supermarket

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4. What are your most important criteria when buying clothes?

A Who is the designer?

B What is the price?

C Is it organic or fairtrade?

D Will anyone else have it?

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5. Who is you style icon?

A Victoria Beckham for her up-to-the-minute- fashion choices

B Fearne Cotton for her high-street saviness

C Stella McCartney for her ability to stay chic and not compromise her vegetarian beliefs

D Amanda Holden for her mix of vintage and retro styles

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6. When buying T-shirts what do you look for?

A Luxurious fabric

B A multi-buy offer

C Organic cotton

D A slogan that epitomizes you

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7. Which brand are you most likely to go to for your beauty products?

A Chanel or Rimmel

B Olay or Garnier

C Body Shop

D The one that’s on offer

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8. What would be your ideal party dress?

A A red carpet worthy Versace gown

B A sparkly Miss Selfridge number

C A chic but sensible mini dress

D A 1950s prom dress

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9. Which would be your ideal handbag?

A A designer bag with a large logo to show off

B A sensible sized High Street number with lots of compartments

C A reusable shopping bag

D A 1920s clutch bag

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10. Where are your favourite shopping haunts?

A Boutiques

B Shopping Centres

C Charity Shops

D Flea markets

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RESULTS:

Mostly A’s

DESIGNER DIVA

Image is all important. You know what you want and you buy it, regardless of the price. Wearing the right label gives you confidence in your image. You would love to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. You watch award ceremonies and read high fashion magazines just to see what celebrities are wearing.

Mostly B’s

HIGH STREET HONEY

You are sensible, but chic. You love to mooch around shops. Even if you don’t buy anything the shopping experience is one you love. You visit lots of different shops looking for clothes that are reasonably priced. You love a bargain. It doesn’t matter if what you wear is not unique, if you are comfortable in it that’s all that matters.

Mostly C’s

GREEN GODDESS

You are a highly responsible person, passionate about saving the planet and fair trade. This is reflected in your shopping choices. You are interested in where fabrics come from and do not mind paying a bit more to be sure no one was exploited in making your clothes. You are into recycling, shopping locally and believe second hand is good. You love to find a bargain in a Charity Shop.

Mostly D’s

VINTAGE REVAMP

You are individualistic. You have an era and a look you like and buy to dress accordingly. You are not into high fashion and labels, but you do like to look good. You love to find a bargain in a Charity Shop. On special occasions you want to stand out from the crowd, and would be very upset if someone had the same outfit as you.

The Numbers Game

I was quite disappointed with the number of people who (didn't) turn up to the first coffee evening. My church planting background has taught me to take risks but also that success is measured in the number of people who come through the doors. But then I started the reflect through the eyes of all I had learned and experienced of emerging church. That it's not about numbers and bums on seats any more. That was quite liberating! Armed with new criteria I reflected on the conversations, the fun doing the quiz, the sharing of similar experiences of the three that did stay for a coffee. The connection I was hoping for was there. I need patience look beyond the need for results, let friendships grow and conversation emerge. Without denominational or self-imposed pressures for results, what's the hurry?

What is theological reflection?

I think this might be one of my first tasks - to have a working definition of 'theological reflection'. I know its something to do with how theology and practice interact with each other, and I know there are various methods people use to do it, but I am still left puzzled where to start. Can anyone help?

I have a couple of starting points. James Hug (Article on theological reflection www.jctr.org.zm/bulletins/theo-reflect) says - my summary;
Theological reflection
- Begins with action - suffering, working, struggling, building etc
- Is born out of experience
- Moves from experience to story telling, looking for patterns and trends
- Throws the light of faith on reality to gain understanding, insight and motivation
- Moves toward informed action

I like the idea of a pastoral cycle, as we reflect it informs future action. There are some good examples around, and I think I shall use this as my model.

I have also found John Swinton of Aberdeen University helpful. I heard him speak a while ago. In his article 'Listening to Hidden Voices' (www.biapt.org.uk/tr5) he says we need
' Critical reflection on practices of church as they interact with practices of the world with a view to ensuring faithful participation in the continuing mission of the Triune God'

An Interesting Conversation

While chatting with an interested colleague who has agreed to help me with the project, I realised she was 'post-church'. Having been to church for years she was left spiritually empty and people who seemed really friendly on a Sunday didn't want to know during the week. Church became something else to be fitted into a busy schedule that was eventually dropped. I was upfront that my ultimate aim was to 'start a church - but not as we know it'. I tried to explain as best I could that church needs to be simple and fluid, able to flow into every area of our lives. That people could cross that invisible 'boundary' that separates what we call secular and sacred without actually realising it. At this point the conversation got interesting. Half an hour later when we both realised it was definately time for another coffee we had explored and debated God and the church and my friend was looking forward to an experience of church that was more authentic and more 'doable' in a busy lifestyle. I think I have my first convert! (or is that a modernist statement?)

Here we go!

My little emerging church project is a coffee evening at our local charity shop. Some people from our church help out as volunteers but it is not managed or staffed from the church. I hope to bring together a group of regular customers and volunteers who like to come in really for company and to chat about life, the universe and everything. Some bring their problems and concerns, sometimes asking people to pray for them. My hope is that the coffee evenings will bring them together as a group to have some fun, support each other and that some will suddenly realise they are connecting with God in the process.

Why emergent carrot?

Why emergent carrot?

While thinking about a catchy title for this blog, I was interrupted by my 5 year old son who was so excited because the carrot seeds he had planted had started to grow. He described tiny leaves and a tip of orange poking through the otherwise bland soil. I had my title.

Emerging church is surely about sowing seeds and looking for what might happen. About the excitement of seeing something growing in the soil of our culture that looks on the surface too bland to support life until we remember it is here God is working. Journey with me as I try to put some theory on emerging church into practice, and reflect on that experience.