Only a whisper...

There was a dream that was Rome. I can only whisper of it now. Anything more than a whisper and the dream vanishes. It's so... fragile. The true glory of Rome is in a very fragile idea. Imagine a place devoted to the rights of the citizen. Where every free man has a voice. That was the dream... And I fear it will not survive the winter.
--Gladiator

I think this describes our conversations. Each of us is careful to shout our dreams or even surrender to them. But at this point, we need to examine how this "dream" fits into a realistic transistion. Which city is going to partner with us? What must we do to provide for our families? Or how do we find meaning in potentially temporary jobs while actively pursuing the "third place"?
It is time to develop this whisper among us. Soon we will need to be able to talk about it and share its hope with others. Let's focus on the dream. How does community embody it? What about this dream can be applicable to multiple cities and people? The beliefs and vitals are important, now we must shape/define what "it" is in a transferable way.

Character Development

"The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres. Though a radically different kind of setting for a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a good home in the psychological comfort and support that it extends…They are the heart of a community's social vitality, the grassroots of democracy, but sadly, they constitute a diminishing aspect of the American social landscape." - Ray Oldenburg

If the "third place", by Oldenburg's definition, develops most of its character from regular clientele (not staff/management) then what must the role of the staff/management be if we are to bring people into a higher experience? Can this place, which we desire to see, really be considered a true "third place"? Or, is there another word out there? We do desire to see serious involvement, serious life change, true expression and a raised awareness and Kingdom perspective. However, left to clientele to development the place's character, we are living dangerously. This word, dangerous, is one that we want to experience, but to what extent? What do we do to insure that the values we believe in are infused? This idea of infusing higher values into the DNA of the place and its patrons seems in contradiction with what Oldenburg is preaching. He proclaims that it is to be determined. Is there a need to create a NEW term for what we are trying to develop? I propose a loud "yes!"

Suggestions?

At The Alter...

When we have no impressive buildings and no swollen budgets to sustain our work, often only then do we realize that the best we have to offer this post-Christendom world is the quality of our relationships, the power of our trustworthiness and the wonder of our generosity. -M. Frost

If we leave this place, what shall we take with us? Will we pack up our understanding of what "church" is and shuttle it by our side, wrapped neat and tidy with the same familiar ideas? Or, do we set out to discover the true power of ecclesia? Do we search for newness in a way that respect for where we've come? Are we holding on the allure of what is comfortable? Shame on us for not expecting more.

Yes, it is the Body of Christ. And, I firmly believe that where two or more gather in the name of Christ, He too will be with us. From that we shall gather our offering - confidently, boldly even, laying it at the alter. This alter will not resemble current conditions. It will be an alter of relationships, service and generosity.

We will, together with the working of The Holy Spirit, bring forth true worship, true teaching (the true church) through our everyday interaction with man and Creator. We will do this with no building, no budget and no excuses. If God is with us, who can be against us?

Thoughts on Galatians 1:1-10

How easy is it to become distracted? Why do man made concoctions seem easier to follow than God made directions? Immediately in Paul's letter to the Galatians there was the duality of human authority and God's authority...

• "Paul an apostle - sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead..." (1.1)
• "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel..." (1.6)
• "Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (1.10)

So I struggle. Perhaps I cannot acknowledge the authority of God, or for that matter the authentic Gospel, because of all the voices, opinions and ideas within my sphere of human influence. Or, perhaps the authority of God is easily recognizable for it seems the path that I am least equipped to pursue.

Finally A Dream Verbalized...at least the first draft

I am longing to create a place where a community can gather, and with heightened awareness realize the prevailing metanarrative of God, humanity and the world, and be inspired interact with this narrative and become part of the restoration/reconciliation process. While this is an ominous task, it begins with personal awareness that unites in a community to make a difference for the benefit that may not be fully realized by the individual. With this in mind lets begin with a vision of the place that invites people to gather...

• First, there must be food...good, healthy food. We believe that people eating together have a greater possibility of growing closer together. The menu does not have to be overly complex, but include food and portions that encourage people to eat with a conscience for health, but also invites people to be fully present in the taste.
  
• There also must be beverages...coffee, tea, perhaps beer and wine if we can serve it in a way that promotes sobriety.
  
• The gathering place should be a place that cultivates creativity through artistic expression (live music, film, visual arts, creative writing, etc.) We believe that people exposed to the arts will invigorate their creativity to be actively involved in helping recreate the world as God's good creation.
• We must inspire a social consciousness that prompts people towards proactivity. The gathering place should be a place that informs people of personal, local and world perspectives, and provide platforms and resources to send people to become active in their world.
  
• We must actively create opportunities for elevated conversations and thinking. A mind that seeks greater understanding will be better equiped to discern truth, believe in hope, and act in love.
• The gathering place should be socially and environmentally responsible in all areas
  
• The gathering place should be a non-profit organization seeking opportunities to invest back into its community and alocate its resources accordingly.
  

Is it Angst or Fear? Either way it sucks!

This week the turmoil of possiblity and reality has taken its toll. Dreams of alternative forms of community, and communal spaces, heighten my intrests and creative juices. However, time, resources, and ability raise questions as to probable possibility. But, does authentic faith confront fear? I am stuck with the notion that the vision of Jesus needs further exploration in alternative environments, and wonder if I can be a pioneer in this movement. My angst longs for paradigmatic change more than a familiarity in a different locale. So I am stuck...I suffer from angst that might not be relieved in the familiar, but I fear that radical change is so divergent that the unchartered territory might destroy my faith. Either way I know I will have to choose a path and pray it is the leading of God and not reationary to my fear and angst.

Joe's debut

What is clear to me is that church cannot be the same. Church has been suppressed by Christendom for too long.

Is it possible to return to a truly biblical/1st century/apostilic experience? Sure, Christians in China are doing it. They are also being killed, but their "church" movement is the closest Christians have gotten to the original.

Since 300AD, we have squeezed the life, and dare I say mission, out of the church. It has been going on so long people hardly notice anymore. I brought this up with Dave yesterday. I told him what was going to be hard about this. We are going to have to do what hasn't been done in 1700 years. It is going to be so unfamiliar, so awkward.

We must rock the systems story, the paradigm, the mode of church. I am giving up on ministries, progams, and theology. I am calling for a holy rebellion. Lets throw aside anything that robs us of a greater experience with God than we now know.

C.S. Lewis said "there exists in every church something that sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. So we must strive very hard, by the grace of God to keep the church focused on the mission that Christ originally gave to it."

Can we challenge the church that we operate from? Can we challenge the church that gives us legitimacy?

Do I know where this leads? No, not really. I can only say I'm available and ready to engage.