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!