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August 05 We start by listeningBy the way, this blog thing actually works best if someone gives some feedback once in a while that everyone can see...sort of like a, you know, discussion...
Speaking of discussion--what a great one we had Sunday evening about emerging ministry. The ideas of a portable compassion kiosk, a coffee house with a listening ear, a Sunday night spiritual smorgasbord--all these were developed further. And then we had a thought...perhaps we ought to practice a bit on our own folks first. What if we worked to be identified and available "listeners" at times when people are here at Our Saviour's (members, friends, strangers--who doesn't need a listening ear these days?). Not that we would retreat once again to our safe and familiar enclave. No, that's already done enough every week. Rather, let's practice some risk taking, some real listening, some emerging ministry right here and right now. Let's see how it feels and how it works. We'll talk about this more on Sunday.
At the same time, we're intrigued by getting out of the building, by going out the out door, as Frambach says. It's interesting that the coffee houses are not open Sundays and especially not on Sunday evenings. Is there one that might partner with us to create a space for listening, caring, coffee drinking, thinking, praying, what-ever-ing? Some of us are exploring possibilities in our ministry area between OSLC and downtown Lincoln. Maybe you will too.
Beginning this Sunday, our emerging ministry conversation will happen from 6 to 7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME. Some of our friends have little ones who can't stay up too late, so we're meeting earlier. Childcare is provided. This also means that you all are encouraged to bring snacks and something to drink, since it's around the supper hour.
I am looking for someone from the group who might want to set the environment for our next meeting. Thus far we've had lawn chairs, candles and lemonade. We are a church that is on the move and not stuck in place. If you have an idea for how to set up our discussion and/or organize our thinking for this Sunday, just let me know.
Matt, can you direct folks to a website where they might see some pictures of the Pine Ridge mission trip?
How can we be "public, missional and evangelical" together in a new church? What does that Frambachian phrase mean to you? Well, Here's an IdeaI wonder if a local coffee house would partner with us in our emerging ministry. I imagine a Sunday evening in a relaxed setting. Coffee, tea and other soft drinks are available (Fairly Traded good, of course). Perhaps some healthful snacks are available and/or for sale as well. It might be that a small book store has been set up in one part of the shop--a store that specializes in Christian topics of growth and depth. It might be that this could be a book exchange as well.
In another corner, a local artist shares music, poetry, painting, sculpture, dance, etc., for our spiritual edification. In a back part of the shop, a space is set aside for listening ears--people trained to hear the stories of others in appreciative, healing and life-giving ways. There might be a time set aside for a speaker, a meditation, a discussion, an audio or video talk, or some other spark for discussion and dialogue. Some nights could be movie nights where a film is viewed and then discussed afterward.
The space would also need coloring books, blocks, children's reading materials, etc. It would be ideal if the shop were near a local park or school playground so that families with children might have an additional outlet during at least part of the year.
Perhaps we need to explore creating our own shop in order to incorporate all these features. I am reluctant, however, to create competition for existing local operations that struggle to offer a quality product and humane environment in the midst of McWorld, WalMartians and Starbuckets.
It is right that a potential partner would wonder about the benefits of such an operation. I imagine that folks who would come to such an experience would be far more likely to patronize that shop at other times during the week. They would also be far more likely to tell their friends and neighbors about that shop and encourage them to come as well. I can imagine that an emerging church might pay for the use of the space--at least enough to make payroll and utilities and thus insure that the proprieter would not suffer any losses through this venture. So it would be free advertising and an expanded customer base for the shop.
Well, it's not a particularly original idea. So, what's wrong with this idea? What's right with it?
When could we start, and where? |
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