Thursday, September 23, 2004
Part 4 - Church, people, missions and evangelism
back to part 1
back to part 2
back to part 3
Currently, we have about 8 regulars in our particular group, and 20 more that come and go as they can. We are mostly focused on the artistic community, or more what you would find by doing a google search on "Cultural Creatives". Missions to this group is focused mainly on that culture, providing a resource for spiritual and emotional growth, and helping them realize their full potential, or rather empowering them to become the person that God created them to be. Our other group is about 10-20 strong, and is focused on being the same to missionaries, at home and abroad. They have missionaries that they have become close friends with in Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala, and our own city's gangs. They're currently taking a sabbatical. And we have another group that all moved to Montana 2 years ago, that have since then gone their separate ways, though we're all still loving friends. Beyond that, we have a couple of hundred people that are involved with us, but each to the degree and area that they are comfortable with. Allowing them to come in only as deep as they can or will, but leaving an open door.
We all meet in homes, as it has proven to be the most comfortable. Though we do have concerts, multi-media contemplative-worship experiences, workshops, and discussion groups in other places. The Library and community centers have been an incredible resource for that. We're currently looking for a more permanent public space for those things, a public living room of sorts, where newcomers would feel more welcome than coming to a private residence yet we would still have the comfort of a living room.
Our "evangelism" is lived out, focused on truly creating friendships with people and helping them, really ministering to them. Their are no agendas except to really be a friend. It's amazing how open people have been, and even eager to further their journey towards finding who God truly is, just because of the trust we win with them by merely wanting to be a friend, resource, and help. I think in this way we have seen many become students ("disciples"), as opposed to just converts. It places salvation and redemption back into their original contexts, that of a starting point and a long journey of growth.
~fin
(for now)
