So, if we are called to be Citizens of Heaven, why would denominational labels encumber us now? I have no statistics to accompany this claim, only first-hand experiences with friends who continue to raise up communities of Christ-lovers in places where few worshipped God before. My friends within the Church say that the PNW is an anomaly instead of a microcosm. We've been un-churched for so long that it was time to break the rules of church-planting and see what works in our community.
In September, the church I know and love launched a new campus in my city. (Technically it was a "soft launch", but hundreds of people came from the beginning.) Predictably, I'm excited about this inside view of how Christ-lovers plant churches. Many of my friends are part of like-minded church gatherings in the PNW. We have buzzword-filled conversations about "missional communities" and "doing life together". My little community has its own jargon of church-planting that I won't try to explain in this post (I'm sure its explained on a glossary page in our website.)
Committed Team. God accomplishes beautiful transformation and great works through His people with committed hearts. Paul's missionary letters chronicle the work God did through their team. This kept Paul humble, giving credit to God because he knew his team would call him out otherwise. Our elder team commits to rejoice with each other and mourn with each other as a BODY. Our youth team meets regularly to pray and plan, but also to remind ourselves and our youth about the vision of God redeeming our entire city. We're even teaching this to our kids this week: "Two are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. -Ecc 4:9 NLT"
Grace & Truth. This is about more than the sermons from the stage. Our corner of the church is growing because every person is inviting friends, neighbors, and strangers who are not part of a church anywhere else. The challenge becomes: live a life of grace and truth. Leading to Christmas, our church family is exploring stories of hope throughout the Bible narrative. We routinely recognize the brokenness of our stories and our city, calling it into the light.
"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.-Eph 2:8-10"
With grace, comes truth. Hope for a better future in Christ. A story with a different ending. Life that breaks death. People who have never known Church are attracted by any number of reasons (community, food...those are the big two...) but they join God's family when the Holy Spirit speaks Truth. Across our church, in groups and gatherings for people of every life stage, we show grace so the Holy Spirit can speak Truth.
"So, now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.-Eph 2:19-22"
Transparency & Confidentiality. "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us, and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2"
This verse speaks to the transparency of the called life. Our leadership structure empowers every member of the Church to actively make disciples. This gets messy. We know that leaders make mistakes and disciples make mistakes, and there is a lot of potential for explosion. That's why it's important to be transparent; to own mistakes. That's why it's important to be wise and discerning; to not advertise others' heartache. The line of transparency & confidentiality is rooted in the balance of Grace & Truth. Living a life of love allows sin to be brought to light so that healing can occur, not so that reputations are destroyed. Ultimately, Christ is our reputation--and what a blessed thought that is.
Focus on community needs. My city is open about heart-break. A few years ago, the police asked my friends' church for help in one neighborhood. Even before our church began weekly meetings, the mayor provided a list of ways we could serve the people of our city. A number of churches in the city provide meals and services to our growing homeless population. Schools in our city allow churches to partner and provide school supplies to kids in poverty. This is what I love about the Church... we're everywhere! For years, I have been praying that God would transform our community with a revival of the Holy Spirit. Families healed. Addictions destroyed. Neighborhoods, schools, and businesses redirected for the Kingdom of Heaven. The dream is still alive, more alive than the struggle. A dynamic church moves to the heart-break of the neighborhood, ready to show HOPE. The Church goes to the hurting. The Church seeks the mess.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. -Matt 25:34-36"
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