I'll say more about what I've been reading later. Suffice it to say that I am deeply committed to what I am calling the third way or the emerging paradigm. I can't say that it's right, but only that it feels good. My next move is to connect with the people at the coffee shop and get them on board. It will serve as an initial meeting place. I am looking for a weekly Wednesday thing and a monthly Sunday thing. I am open to other weekdays, too. or mornings. whatever. part of this wil be decided by the group who connects to it.Mike Linn is interested, but the question is when can he participate? So today I will meet with Ashley to talk turkey. Each step is key in aligning with God's vision. Last week I met with Dave Fisher and with Katie Sollenberger. Both visits were extremely fruiful. I have registered for this Creative Transformational Ministry gathering in two weeks, too. I hope it bears fruit too. And I'm reading like a fiend.
Step 3a: I will begin to invite others to the conversation. I intend to begin with post-Lutheran Christians, as well as a few others who are floating around in limbo. I believe there are many people who would like to spiritually connect with GOD and a community of friends, but have not found it. Mainline and megachruch have their approaches, their methods, their answers, their practices and doctrines. I suspect that there are some who have disconected from both of those scenes for one reason or another. They are Post--whatever they were. They retain some residue or baggage from those paradigms, but have serious gaps in thier own lives of faith not being addressed. can something like this address them? It's happening in other places. maybe here now too. What might emerge is a new paradigm, a new way of being church or following Jesus in missional living. I wonder what might come of this. I am trusting GOD to provide whatever is needed. I am only trying to plant and water seeds.
I hope to provide a venue for intimate night worship outside of Zion. We will likely do it at Zion once a month too. because there are a few Zion folk who appreciate it or seek it. John is on board musically. The five ancient worship practices are fully experienced: singing, listening, praying, sharing, and sending.We employ familiar, new, and ancient texts in song. We encourage open experiment in prayer. We are sacramental---confessional and communal. We are missional---desiring to commit ourselves to daily intentional practice in following Jesus. I wish i could find my copy of Brian McLaren's "The Secret Messge of Jesus". I lost it when i was half finished with it.
BTW, almost finished with Donald Miller's book "Blue Like jazz". Good stuff.
