2.24.2008
What I Like About You
Jim Lehmer, at Lord I Believe, Help My Unbelief, has tagged me for a question:
So what do I like about The Bridge? These are things which got me to set foot in a church again when I vowed I never would...so that's saying a lot.
1) Anyone is welcome. This is not an arbitrary "anyone". This is not an "as long as you're dressed properly" anyone. This is not an "as long as you're sober" anyone. This is a true anyone. Doesn't matter who you are, how you look or smell, what your lifestyle is, you are welcome there. It is not always easy, but it is practiced nonetheless.
2) Their goal and dream is to infect the world around them. They reach out to the community in tangible ways. Each Sunday they provide donated groceries to anyone who needs it. In the church I left behind, assistance with food meant paperwork and checks and balances, in order to ensure no one "abused" the system. At The Bridge, there are no qualifications to the food; it is given freely. They also desire to eventually occupy a space where they can have a real day-to-day presence in community; the space they use right now is only have available to them on Sunday's. They would love to have a coffee shop or some other space where they can be so present. Please pray this for them. There are many other ways; these are the two which immediately come to mind. It's a subversive evangelism, they don't seem to seek to make converts, but to create lovers.
3) They practice love. Not a perfect love, but love nonetheless. We are all human and our hurts and prejudices will get get the better of any of us. But there is a love there that I haven't ever seen in a church. It is a love that says "I will not judge you; instead I will care for you." This is the love I believe Jesus intended us to learn. Maybe I'm being overly simplistic here, but this love is something I can't help being aware of when I'm with these people.
I still do not know what my future holds; as I've said before, I'm learning to live my spiritual life without a map or plan...only following where the tracks ahead of me lead. But I am growing to love The Bridge and am enjoying the time, whether permanent or transitory, I am spending there.
I decided not to specifically ask anyone to participate, because this is pretty personal to a lot of us, but if you want to write on this subject, please do. If you go to church, please list three things you like about it. If you don't presently attend church, list three things you would look for in one. If you have no intention of ever attending a church, list what you look for in or appreciate about faith-based-fellowship/gatherings, however that might look in your life.
If you participate, please link back here and to Jim.
"If you attend a church (traditional, house church, pub church, whatever), name three things you genuinely like about it. If you don't have a place you call "church" right now then name three things that if you see them in a gathering will tell you that you've finally found what you're looking for."Well, technically I have been un-churched for three years now, but back last fall, I began sometimes attending the church my friends Pam and Donna go to, The Bridge. I know my journey back into church will be a long one, and I have no intention of rushing it. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed my times at The Bridge and I relish the opportunity to run a shameless plug for my friends there.
So what do I like about The Bridge? These are things which got me to set foot in a church again when I vowed I never would...so that's saying a lot.
1) Anyone is welcome. This is not an arbitrary "anyone". This is not an "as long as you're dressed properly" anyone. This is not an "as long as you're sober" anyone. This is a true anyone. Doesn't matter who you are, how you look or smell, what your lifestyle is, you are welcome there. It is not always easy, but it is practiced nonetheless.
2) Their goal and dream is to infect the world around them. They reach out to the community in tangible ways. Each Sunday they provide donated groceries to anyone who needs it. In the church I left behind, assistance with food meant paperwork and checks and balances, in order to ensure no one "abused" the system. At The Bridge, there are no qualifications to the food; it is given freely. They also desire to eventually occupy a space where they can have a real day-to-day presence in community; the space they use right now is only have available to them on Sunday's. They would love to have a coffee shop or some other space where they can be so present. Please pray this for them. There are many other ways; these are the two which immediately come to mind. It's a subversive evangelism, they don't seem to seek to make converts, but to create lovers.
3) They practice love. Not a perfect love, but love nonetheless. We are all human and our hurts and prejudices will get get the better of any of us. But there is a love there that I haven't ever seen in a church. It is a love that says "I will not judge you; instead I will care for you." This is the love I believe Jesus intended us to learn. Maybe I'm being overly simplistic here, but this love is something I can't help being aware of when I'm with these people.
I still do not know what my future holds; as I've said before, I'm learning to live my spiritual life without a map or plan...only following where the tracks ahead of me lead. But I am growing to love The Bridge and am enjoying the time, whether permanent or transitory, I am spending there.
I decided not to specifically ask anyone to participate, because this is pretty personal to a lot of us, but if you want to write on this subject, please do. If you go to church, please list three things you like about it. If you don't presently attend church, list three things you would look for in one. If you have no intention of ever attending a church, list what you look for in or appreciate about faith-based-fellowship/gatherings, however that might look in your life.
If you participate, please link back here and to Jim.
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