Ways of Resistance

I wrote this email (below) to my wife, Julissa, asking her pass it on to our friends in Naked Faith (our little faith community that’s part of the Vineyard). Now, as I read it, it seems like a good way to start off a series I’ve been thinking about writing for the blog. It all started with Tim (my good friend and a pastor at the Vineyard). He asked me what I think the ideal church service would look like. Right away I told him that the answer could take me hours to explain (a bit of an overstatement…but not by much!). So, over the next few weeks, it is my new mission to blog about what Jesus’ church currently is (in all her beautiful mess and life-giving) and how she needs to change (for the sake of the world and God’s mission).

Part of this series will be answering Tim’s question (i.e., describing how the ideal “church” service would look like), though I think it will become obvious from what I write and reference (just look below) that I think church should be defined in much broader, more holistic terms–closer to “peoplehood and life” as opposed to “building and event.” On that point, I know Tim would agree with me.

Here’s the email I wrote to my friends in Naked Faith (see Emergent Village and/or Kathy Escobar for the blogpost I reference):

Julissa,

Can you forward this to Naked Faith (including Sergio)? It reminded me of what Sergio said about the difference between a bureaucratic food stamp program and a personal invitation to share a meal with someone. Hopefully, by reading this and continuing our thoughts, all of us will be encouraged/inspired/empowered in our efforts to act and think differently with those we know/meet.

Jason

What should Jesus’ church embody? Who’s included/excluded in our Jesus-ey mix of saviors and misfits? How do we become the kind of people that are learning to love unconditionally?