Friends,

Recently we’ve been discussing how the form of church is undergoing change as it understands what it means to be the presence of Christ in our time. People who study this are reflecting on ways that other cultural forms are delivering values that used to belong almost exclusively to the church. This is both good and challenging news. On the one hand this shows the subtle impact the church has had over time influencing the popular mind towards awareness of important values to community and personal well-being. This is good and we celebrate this. On the other hand, it also means that the underlying foundation of these values--God’s love for humankind and the lengths to which God goes to bring wholeness to the human condition--are lost as cultural expressions of God’s values deliver the benefits of God’s intent without God. How long can these forms last without the presence and energy God provides? Moreover, when the focus is on benefit alone, people are drawn to whatever will deliver regardless of its basis. This means that the church must think carefully about how to engage the popular mind in ways that make sense without losing the foundation of God’s love sustaining it. 

This is why the form of church is a topic worth discussing, because, as we’ve recently considered, the present form of church delivers the message and presence of God in ways that have been successful for generations, but are now less effective partly because we’ve assumed that “everyone” knows what the church is about and why it’s important. Increasingly, and at a pace that’s breath-taking, this is no longer so. The popular mind largely views the church as a dispenser of religious goods—whatever that means to them—and if one is disinclined towards religion, the need for church fades in the background. Somehow this notion must be displaced, which is at the heart of the conversation surrounding the form of church.

When we talk about the mixed economy of churches, we’re looking for ways to allow different forms of what it means to be church to emerge alongside its existing form. We are open to “experiments” in community that embody the substance of wholeness as God envisions while delivering the benefits people seek. Though we can summarize the goal in a single sentence, fleshing it out in reality through the multiple forms it can take is challenging. So I am asking you to both think and pray about what that might look like here, in our community among our neighbors and friends. As ideas begin to form around this, let me know what you’re thinking, for God is at work in each of us drawing us together in this process.

During our time in service this Sunday, we’ll consider some of this as we look at 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. As you read in preparation, consider how Paul is preparing Christ followers in Corinth for pursuing this same goal of penetrating their culture with the way of Jesus. Along with this, consider how our community of Christ followers has made a difference in your life. In the coming weeks, I’d like to make room in our service for people to share exactly this. We learn from one another. As God prompts your thought, please consider taking the opportunity to relate this briefly on a Sunday morning, and then be sure to let me know of your interest so we can include it our time together. Also, you may have noticed we have more folks participating in various aspects of our service. If you’d like to participate by reading a scripture passage, or praying, or giving announcements, or giving a thought during our offering segment, let me know so that I can schedule you in the rotation. We’re all friends, and friends encourage each other, so consider how you might be of encouragement to all of us!

See you Sunday!
—frank