What's Different?

At a seminar I heard Hugh Halter say that people often want to come to their worship gatherings to see what they are doing that's different from the rest of the church world. The problem is, it isn't that different. Their worship (at Adullum) is not remarkably different from what you might experience at any Sunday morning assembly at the local community church.

I took some comfort in hearing this, because, from the standpoint of evaluating how we are living out our calling to "the different life" our Sunday gatherings are remarkably unremarkable. We do meet in a sort of circle configuration, which is kind of different. And our congregation is extremely friendly and welcoming (I'm pleased to say they are this way naturally, and not because they've been coached to be so). And my preaching is very Bible focused, and pays more attention to cultural contexts than many preacher today seem to do. But, overall, I don't think you would enter our worship time and go, "Wow, these people really are different!"

I could be wrong. But I'm thinking the difference is not in our assemblies (And it is our western notions of big church and Sunday services that always has us looking their for what a church is made of). Rather, its in what we are becoming at home and in our neighborhoods that I hope the real difference is beginning to emerge.

I mean, the whole idea of incarnational ministry is that through the body of Christ (the church), God continues to reveal himself (to be incarnated). Our lives are meant to give flesh to the Gospel. Incarnation is not most evident when God's people meet together, but rather when they are simply living and building community. It happens in homes and between friends. It happens in work cubicles and block parties. It happens whenever the people of God are willing to live like Christ in a context where Christ has not been evident.

And sometimes, it happens in a stable.

Merry Christmas.

Natural Spirituality

On Saturday we will have a whole bunch of kids here at our facility for our annual Santa Breakfast. I look forward to this every year, because we get to meet a lot of people from the community, and because it's great fun to see all the children having fun and interacting with Santa.

Kids are a big part of my ministry here - from homeschooling my own, to serving kids in our community. I was a family minister before I came here, and it has always been important to me to develop the faith of children. Lately I've been working on a comprehensive approach to the spiritual formation of children. Several people have participated with me in a discussion about this, and I think the biggest challenge is keeping the whole thing natural.

In traditional ministry settings, "comprehensive" translates: organized, formal, educational, and institutional. These are the things we know and gravitate towards. I'm not opposed to programs and ministries, and our discussions about spiritual formation will ultimately result in the creation of these. But I don't want programs to become the central component of spiritual formation, because I know that doesn't work.

So, rather than creating a "Spiritual Formation Ministry," I guess you could say we are trying to cultivate a culture of spiritual formation. And if we are successful in doing that, it will, of course, not be limited to kids. It will become the cultural reality for everyone in our fellowship.

Attention Evergreen Locals

For those of you who live in the area, an announcement:

Breakfast with Santa!

Enjoy a breakfast of hot pancakes along with crafts, prizes, and, of course, a visit and pictures with Santa. It's great fun for the whole family, and it's free! Breakfast will be served from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13th at Evergreen Community Church of Christ, 29997 Buffalo Park Road in Evergreen (Next to Three Sister's Open Space). Contact the church office (303-674-6459) or consult the website for directions: www.livedifferentchurch.org.