Upon further discussion on Saturday Jed, in his ever so subtle way, said that he thought TJP was a church, or at least that's what he thought. During our discussions I was reflecting on what we were saying, and to me, it sounded an awful lot like we were talking about church without saying those words.
In my mind I have never concieved of TJP as this, nor has it ever been an ambition of mine. But when Jed articulated what seemed to be implicit in our discussion there was a kind of harmony I sensed internally.
What does this mean? I think it means we can open the discussion up to this, TJP need not go this way, but it could, and it is worthy of exploring. I also believe that as we come to a refined sense of Core Values, Purpose, and Vision, we may find what it is we are really wanting to do and which direction the Spirit is blowing. I am simply putting this out there as table talk... let's see where it goes.
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Funny, I sensed the same "internal harmony". More so with this idea than anything other idea.
I guess the more I have thought about it, the more I have felt that this is where my heart is. It's been on my mind after many conversations with Dave, and the feeling that a church might be the best way for all of us to invest our gifts and passions. It would be a chance to glean the incredible amounts of good we have inherited in our EFCC background (most of us have been associated there in some way), as well as a chance to try some things that we might do differently.
I think that if we go down this road it can only be because we are convinced of God's leading in it. We need to do it peaceably and humbly. An "axe to grind" mentality will not do. We don't need to prove anything. If this is the best investment of our gifts we should do it, if not, well then not.
Yeah, I agree with you Jed, anything we do can't be done with an "axe to grind" mentality. This seems opposed to our thematic banner of reconciliation. What I'm interested in about the idea of this being a "church" is how we can appropriate the theological significance of a gifted congregation and labor towards a missionary mentality in the congregation. I am directly, in this sense, attacking the consumeristic tendencies prevalent in modern american evangelicalism. I believe with TJP being a church organization with a mind toward missions in our locale, we could do some of the very same things we have discussed and yet it be part of the work of the redemptive community. Here I am thinking about things like the Zine, why couldn't a church publish something like this, often church's do newsletters which are relegated to relative insignificance because it often feels like "tooting our own horn." But a Zine as a collaborative work engaging the culture of a local community could be interesting (maybe not though). We could also do something like Justin's idea of the Brown Bag Cafe, if missionaries in europe can do this, why can't we here. Why couln't a church support a missionary whose ministry was a cafe not necessarily attached to the church? Certainly I'd like to discuss the underpinning theology and philosophy of these things (I mean should this be something a church does?) Anyway, I have a lot more thoughts, I'll put them up regarding these issues, but I'd be interested to hear what others think.
I don't have internet service at my new place yet so I have to use signals that I occassionaly get from the neighbors.
I'm keeping my responses short because of this but I just wanted to let you guys know that I am following along.
I agree with what both of you have said regarding the church. There are so many rad things we could do. In regards to the missionary mentality that Sam speaks of, I think the church needs to put an equal emphasis at reaching out to its members as well. At times I see churches so wrapped up in their outreaches that they neglect the follow up and nurturing that the members of the church may need.
Other than that I am golden on this. Now we just need to have the Lord bring me back to SD somehow.
I tend to have a difficult time seeing a significant influence without the church concept. TJP may not be a significant influence in the future and that is beside the point, but if we can envision a way to bring others into the community and into ministry it seems clear that this is bigger than a handfull of us.
The church concept seems to click for me. Perhaps this is because when I think of an ideal church, I think of a real, genuine community. This genuine community isn't always the case in churches at large, as we have all probably all experienced. However, my own community has been the vessel of a majority of my spiritual growth and guidance over the years. What would it look like for that to be expanded? Would it even work in a larger setting?
I like the idea of what we discussed as a "think tank" for those around us. A council that can be used to identify and direct local Chistians into ministry (let's start praying for wisdom now). I feel that as great as EFCC is, one downfall is that it is so easy to be ok serving in ways that are important, but have such a minor impact. For example, I play music sometimes and many in my shoes could easily be ok telling myself that guitar is my minstry, the end. But guitar is so far short of speaking the Gospel. But, if this "think tank" or council's is to guide people to real Gospel ministry, what would happen? Would a congregation seek to be this personal and this passionate?
I'm starting to ramble, so I'll quit for the time.
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