Saturday, June 2, 2012

A new church experience.

Imagine a church experience shaped around a community with needs. A community that would see more rejection than acceptance. A community that doesn't know the truth about Jesus and wouldn't know the first thing about modern day Christian culture.

Sounds challenging, right?

Now imagine a facility that's open in the heart of Adelaide's city, that aims to reach out to the least of these with food, company, rest, and clothing.

Tonight, for the first time, my friends at CitySalvos launched a new church service - simple in design, but large in scope. New in modern day missional terms, but old school in biblcal heart.

Two of the three people in the front row during tonight's service were first timers to any experience resembling church as I know it. One came up to me at the end and wasn't even sure if he'd used the word 'sermon' correctly. The other one was so chuffed with himself after I thanked him for sitting up the front. (I explained that as a worship leader you always feel better when people sit closer.)

Imagine if 'mission' wasn't something we did just outside of the church building, but was a central part of what happens inside the church gathering!

Tonight I saw glimpses of what it looks like to turn your actions into words. To start with an act of service, then invite someone into a conversation.

Still sound challenging?

Perhaps.

But I know a group of people who instead of seeing the challenge, only see the opportunity.

And when God places an opportunity like this in front of you, who are we to say no?

Just saying.

xo