(e)mergent Voyageurs

I have to apologize for once again skipping my regular Friday Art Reflection, but I received an email today from a fellow YWAM missionary who is serving in Jinja, Uganda. He informed me that another YWAM missionary, Anthony, who has been building a school for children in the IDP (internally displaced people) camps in the Pader region (home to Pader Town, Kitgum and Gulu), contacted him with some urgent news.

Many people in the Pader region have been forced to live in the IDP camps as a result of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in the area. They live in extremely difficult conditions under the dubious, but essential protection of the government soldiers. In the last day or so the government soldiers have pulled out of the region, leaving the camps and communities unprotected. When questioned as to why, the commanding officers said only that the orders came from "higher levels".

Please pray for the people in these regions as they are once again exposed to the dangers of the LRA. While the government soldiers are often violent and exploitive, they offered what little protection was available. Please pray for this urgent situation and pass the word to as many others as you can. I will keep you posted with any further information.

Emerging Church, Missional

As the last week of our DTS lecture phase comes to a close and our students prepare to head to Uganda for the next two months, I am excited to be able to give some extra attention to "The Dusty Cover" project. For those who are not familiar with it, we are working to create a missional "third space" in our neighbourhood, a used bookstore to serve the community and build relationships. Over the last several months we have been collecting books and nearly at our goal of 5000 titles. In the midst of all of this, I have also been seeking to develop and refine the vision more clearly.

Perhaps the biggest shift in this process has been to move away from being a traditional used bookstore. Rather, we are wanting to develop it as a free community space- a place to people to hang out, chat and have a coffee; a place for local university students to study; a place where neighbourhood kids can stop in to visit, do homework or even be tutored; a free reading room and a place for the exchange of ideas. While people are still welcome to buy the books, they are also free to read any of the books in the store without any obligation to purchase. We also hope to be make available other resources to the neighbourhood to help meet the challenges that are common to our inner city neighbourhood.

So why this shift? Urban sociologist, Ray Oldenburg, author of the brilliant book "The Great Good Place", challenged me when he said:

“In the absence of informal public life, living becomes more expensive. Where the means and facilities for relaxation and leisure are not publicly shared, they become the objects of private ownership and consumption.”

By shifting from a business to a community free space, we help to create space where people can relate without financial obligation. In our inner city neighbourhood (and our larger city, for that matter), such spaces are few and far between. The city and province can only do so much with such places as community centres, therefore we need to invest as neighbours. In my recent post "Pattern Of Missionality - Part 1: Neutrality" I explored the importance of making this space safe to build relationships, with no duplicitous intentions either religiously or commercially. While we hope the space will contribute to building genuine and mutual relationships through which we can share the Gospel, we are committed to allowing this to naturally develop through the neutrality of the store.

Oldenburg continues by saying:

“Life without community has produced, for many, a life style consisting mainly of a home-to-work-and-back-again shuttle. Social well-being and psychological health depend upon community. It is no coincidence that the ‘helping professions’ became a major industry... as [urban] planning helped destroy local public life and the community support it once lent.”

This is why we are reworking the vision of the space to driven by community, not business. In addition to this, we are also reconsidering the name of the space to reflect something with a broader definition than just a bookstore, which The Dusty Cover obviously suggests. I am still leaning towards "The Rendezvous" (for reasons I'll elaborate on later), but have not fully decided.

Our biggest challenge, something with which we need your help, is to raise committed financial support to sustain the space. We are within a few months of needing to secure the space we have chosen, but lack the much of the start up costs, as well as enough support to cover the overhead (freeing us from having to make the sales a priority over relationship and service). Our goal is to reach a minimum of $1000 CDN per month in support. We hope to begin more formal fundraising soon, but with our small team, we are hoping for a more grass-roots response.

For those who are interested in supporting this project, feel free to contact me with any questions. Canadians can receive tax receipts for their donations by sending their support to:

Project Funding
PO BOX 57100
2480 E Hastings St
Vancouver, BC V5K 5G6
Canada

donorservices@shaw.ca
(604) 436-4433

All cheques should be made out to "Youth With A Mission" with a separate and attached note saying "Designated for YWAM Urban Ministries Winnipeg - Bookstore". Americans who wish to give cannot be issued tax receipts through Canada, but may find alternatives. Again, feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks to all of you who have supported this developing vision with books, money, time and energy. We are excited! Keep us in your prayers.

Missional

(For Part 1 Click Here)

Why Did Chris Quit?
January 16, 2005 - Winnipeg Sun
by Harry Lehotsky CM

One of Chris's co-workers phoned me and asked, "Can you go check what's going on with Chris? This is the second day he's not at work and he hasn't told us if he's sick or tired, or just ticked off about something."

I walked up the three floors to his apartment, wondering what kind of discussion would follow.

I remember how we became friends. Chris came to our church sporting stereotypical biker attire with a history of incarceration and an attitude to match. But behind the hardened mask was a genuine interest in exploring faith and life from a different angle.

From philosophical discussions to theological debates, we covered a broad range of issues and concerns.

I remember the time we even argued about Winnipeg Transit.

The whole notion of working an honest job to earn an honest wage was a tough concept for Chris. It was much easier to make more money doing collections, enforcement, theft, and deals of different sorts. While dangerous and illegal, these provided an addictive blend of excitement and profit.

But despite the rationalizations, Chris knew he was doing wrong. He carried a heavy load of guilt for some of the suffering his actions had caused others. Despite all the forces pulling him the other way, he decided to explore the life of an ordinary citizen.

While on welfare he started volunteering with Lazarus Housing. After a while, he found a part-time job with someone else.

I remember one particularly cold winter day when I asked how it was going at work. He responded that it was good, but it was a long walk in the cold.

I questioned why he would walk over three miles to work -- right along a bus route. I asked, "Why wouldn't you just get on the bus and let it take you right to work?"

And I was shocked at the intensity of his reaction.

He leaned close to my face, speaking loudly and deliberately. "I don't care what you say, Harry. I ain't riding no damned pumpkin!"

I guess some people have a thing against buses. I wasn't sure what the problem was, but I knew this was a problem waiting to be resolved.

I challenged him on the logic of walking in the cold snow when he could be riding in a warm bus. He responded with some nonsense about "the man," the "system" and having to pay to live by someone else's schedule.

I was kind of ticked off at my friend's logic. It was my turn to lean forward and speak firmly. "What makes you think you're so special? You see the old lady, the young immigrant, the student taking the bus. When you're walking in the cold with your frozen pride, you think you're better than them because you haven't given in to taking a bus?"

The yelling continued for awhile inside my office. I remember someone knocking to see if everything was OK. We both calmed down and decided to let it rest.

I didn't say anything more about it. I'll always remember when, weeks later, Chris approached me after church and said he had something to show me. He warned, "But you better promise not to laugh." Checking to make sure nobody was watching, he pulled something from his pocket. His hand opened to reveal a bus pass. He commented, "I still don't like it, but it beats walking." We both smirked and figured things were getting better.

I figured there wasn't much we couldn't talk, or argue, through to some resolution.

I reached Chris's apartment door and knocked. There was no answer. I considered he might be mad about something that he wasn't ready to talk about. So I said, "Chris, open up. If you don't, I'm going to use my key to unlock the door."

Getting no response, I unlocked the door, calling out more loudly to make sure he heard me if he was home.

As I tried to open the door, it was stopped by a secondary chain lock. Getting aggravated, I said, "OK Chris. That's enough. Just open up the door so we can talk. If you don't open it, I'll kick in the door."

I expected an answer, a retort or even a laugh at my pastoral approach. But there was only silence.

So I kicked in the door.

I stood in the doorway and scanned the small apartment for Chris. And I didn't see anything until I stepped inside.

That's when the door moved and I saw Chris -- dead -- hanging on the back of his door.

I didn't know it was possible to feel so shocked, afraid, angry and confused at the same time. Disoriented, I dropped to my knees crying. I asked "Why?" Out loud. I yelled something I can't remember, wishing he would yell back, talk back -- anything but his horrible silence.

As I waited for cops and friends, I looked for a note but there was none to be found.

Years later, I still wonder what happened to spark such an act of anger or despair. I resented him for leaving his friends without an explanation.

I've learned a few things over the past few years. Not all questions get answered. Some circumstances lack adequate explanations. I'm responsible to people -- not for them.

But I still miss Chris.

Missional

I recently read Scot McKnight's very helpful review of Rob Bell's new book "Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality And Spirituality", a book I have been considering buying lately. With my own recent writings about sexuality (both online about homosexuality and in my current book project), the books title and subject matter immediately caught my attention. Zondervan's synopsis of the book says:

"God and sex go together. You can’t separate the two, says Rob Bell, because this physical world is intimately linked to deeper spiritual realities. And so, in order to make sense of sexuality, at some point you have to talk about God. With beauty and unusual insight, Sex God explores this connection."

In addition to this new book, the subject of sexuality has been on my mind as a result of our current Discipleship Training School (DTS). During most DTS's, there is a full week of study dedicated to exploring relationships, with an emphasis on issues of romance and sexuality. After nearly 15 years with YWAM I have begun to see a startling pattern emerging when address this topic: most young Christians are woefully unaware of some basic foundations of human sexuality.

While I am deeply concerned by the lack of knowledge of basic physiology and sexual function that (in my opinion) should be standard adult understanding, I am also wrestling with how little they know about the practice of sex. Of course, the argument can be raised that much of this knowledge should be discovered in the shared journey of sexual union that comes with marraige. While agree to this in principle, in practice I have seen far too many examples of couples with painfully dysfunctional sex lives (and let's be frank, it is usually the woman who pays the highest price).

I believe this connected in part to the pervasive (perhaps gnostic) fear or demonization of sexuality that still seems to influence a significant portion of the church. I am encouraged that it is increasingly become more common and free to explore and celebrate sexuality in as Christians (a positive outlook that I see as clearly Biblical), but we still have a long way to go.

So here are my questions for you all:

1. What is appropriate awareness/understanding/education for single adults in regards to sexuality? How much should a couple know about sexuality prior to marraige and how much should be left to discovery? Where does innocence become ignorance?

2. If Rob Bell is right and we need to rediscover the link between our sexuality and our spirituality, which comes first? Can we explore this aspect of spirituality with a limited or flawed understanding of sexuality?

Emerging Church, Missional, Sex

I want to take a break this week from my regular Friday Art Reflection to ask for your prayers. The lecture phase of our Discipleship Training School (DTS) is coming to close in about a week, at which time the team will be heading to Uganda for three months. Five students and two staff will be serving with YWAM and other ministries in Soroti, Jinja and Kampala for their time there. One student will be remaining in Winnipeg for a local outreach for that time.

The Uganda team will be engaging in some diverse and exciting ministry, including serving at an HIV/AIDS clinic- helping dispense meds; visit and pray with patients; assisting with health awareness teaching; etc. They will also be working a clean water program, teaching and serving at a local school, all the while offering discipleship and teaching for the new Christians in the community (alongside local Christians). It promises to be an excellent time.

Several of the students and the staff are still attempting to raise the needed funds for the trip. I was planning on doing a brief pastoral visit during their time, but due to my genetic immunity problems, I am not able to take the necessary vaccinations, so we will be doing our best to support the team from here. We will also be co-leading the outreach for the one student who will be serving in Winnipeg.

I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers for this team, their coming challenges and service projects. Also pray that God will provide the needed funding for their time there. To keep informed as to the happenings on the trip (and to read a students perspective of the last three months), check out the student blog at www.winnipegdts.blog.com

Thanks all!

Emerging Church, Missional

In this final post in this series, I want to explore the final emphasis and intention that I shared in regards to the creation of a missional "third place":

3. To model and "proclaim" the Gospel in a mutual pursuit of salvation.

Some might question the wisdom, even morality, of placing this as the third and last in the list of objectives we aim to achieve in the creation of "The Dusty Cover" used bookstore. Does this not reflect a misplaced value and importance on the Gospel, which should be of primary (if not exclusive) emphasis? It is a fair question.

The order of these three aspects do not reflect value, but rather process. Ultimately, without the third point- without the emphasis on the Gospel- the former two have limited value and, for me, not a great deal of hope for lasting impact. However, I also know that we are created by God to function in very specific ways, building relationships and understanding according to certain general processes.

To that end, I believe that the creation and/or engagement within safe, mutual and neutral places are necessary for the development of relationships. For our message to have authority, especially given the long, sad history of hypocrisy within the church, we need to demonstrate our commitment to serve without expectations. Once these dynamics are met, we are then in a place where our hearts, minds and relationships are naturally situated to embody and articulate the message of salvation in Christ.

This is not to say that this process is always necessary. This is NOT a formula, nor is it a list of essential elements to the success of every missional endeavour. Scripture (and I am sure your own experience) is filled with examples where the Gospel has been preached on the spot with powerful and positive impact. These are genuine and should not be belittled. However, the danger is when we see these examples as the norm or pattern for all or most evangelism. The result, as we have seen, is easy believism, increasing (and justified) critique of the Christian community and consumeristic, efficiency-based approach to "saving souls".

Within this process, upon the creation of such an environment, we will find ourselves living our live with the people in that community. Rather than inviting people into a Sunday morning church environment (which, we must admit, is largely and intentionally artificial), we naturally engage life, family, relationships, works, etc. within this shared relationships (just as they share their lives with you). Our lives, then, and not just our words, become the primary evidence of our faith.

This will essentially require that we take very seriously the impact our faith has on every level of our lives. I am not suggesting that it will require us to be perfect and without fault (though higher standards of ethics and morality should be a result). This thinking is what has made it so natural and attractive to have the very controlled and manufactured Sunday worship service be the central tool for missional commitment. Rather, as we are real and authentic with our own pursuit of wholeness out of our very real brokenness- without judgment, but with grace- engaging the transformative work of Christ in our lives and our communities, people will recognize hope from within their own brokenness. Anyone who has seen a 12-Step recovery group will see the power of this idea.

And this is what makes this expression of the Gospel a mutual pursuit of salvation. We must recognize that the freedom and salvation of our neighbour is caught up in our own. I am not suggesting that there is no individual component to salvation, but rather than when we die to self, we are resurrected into one Body. This is a process from individual disintegration to shared wholeness. In that sense our salvation is caught up together with our neighbours. The beauty of this understanding is that it undermines the paternalistic and arrogant superiority that has governed even well-intentioned evangelism attempts in our culture.

So what of the articulation and verbal proclamation of this Good News? Is it to be discarded as unimportant? Of course not. However, we must remember two very key points. First, our words have their greatest authority when people see an authentic commitment to the values they expression. In the most important and crucial choices in our lives we reveal this in that we turn to people who have proven themselves, be it for health, auto care, counseling or parenting tips. This is even more true when we are talking about the Gospel. If our lives aren't reflective of the work of Christ (and again, that doesn't mean perfection), our message proves us hypocrites.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, the heavy emphasis and practice of preaching the Gospel verbally, aggresively and through a sale-pitch method (to varying degrees), largely in the form of propositional demands, coupled with the general inconsistency within the church to live and reflect the values of that same message, has made the world generally more suspicious of such a model. As a result, while this method could be (and has been) used in effective and healthy ways, it is increasingly less so as a result of these abuses. Therefore, we must now be more careful when and how we do so, making this process more crucial than ever before.

Again, as I stated in the first post, this is not a perfect reflection of the process, but some reflections based on our experiences in ministry here in the inner city of Winnipeg. I believe that, in general, they offer a theme of hope and promise (again, not a formula or set of "steps), and therefore worth exploration and experimentation.

What do you think?

Emerging Church Missional Third Place

In Part 1 of this series, I shared my conviction that, in order to create genuinely missional "third places", we must commit to relinquishing something of our control, allowing the place to remain neutral in order that real relationships can develop. The second point of what I hope to accomplish with our missional "third space" was:

2. To assess and serve some felt needs of the community out of specific giftings/abilities.

Every person- every community- has specific and real needs. Out of our the strengths and calling of our own Christian community/ministry/etc. we must seek to find a way in which we can serve people in those needs. Sometimes the needs are significant or fundamental enough that, even if they lie outside our specific gift sets or ministry emphasis, we must seek to meet those needs too. Hunger, safety, justice and immediate health risks are some example of those exceptions.

However, God created us, individually and as communities, to reflect specific and diverse giftings. While we acknowledge the need to work beyond these, I truly believe that God wants us to do, in service of Him and other, that which makes us come alive. This is why I am working towards the bookstore, as I am a passionate (and proudly nerdy) bookworm and learning. Creating a space for the exchange of ideas and process of learning is a connecting point where I can discover commonality and relationship with others, be they neighbourhood kids or students at the near-by university.

So what is the need(s) that is filling? There are many needs this seeks to serve. For example, being the most culturally and racially diverse neighbourhood in our city, creating a place to learn about each others differing worldviews, religious beliefs, etc. is crucial to undermine the growing racism and sectarian sub-communities. Further, the link between illiteracy in young boys and the rise of inner city crime are critically linked, therefore offering reading programs, homework clubs and other learning based opportunities plays a part in the larger solution.

Another reason to be intentional to serve out of our giftings is that, should we seek to meet all the needs out of our singular churches or ministries, we will quickly burn out by taking on more than we can handle. Too often, in attempting to meet too many needs in a broad spectrum of challenges, we fall into being overly program-oriented and institutional. This will increase efficiency in meeting needs, but will destroy the necessary relationships that should be developing along the way.

It is critically important to see that neutrality (which could probably be better defined as mutuality) must be the firm foundation upon which meeting needs must be built. Without the humble acknowledgment of our commonality, we can too quickly take on a paternalistic attitude towards those we serve. It is not the good Christians lowering themselves to serve the filthy masses. That is offensive, despite the very good intentions that fuel it. We need to serve people from below (foot washing) or alongside.

This is another reason that living in proximity to those we are seeking to build relationships is so crucial. However, acknowledging this we need to recognize that, unlike most of the world, we have the freedom to choose where we live. Therefore, we need to be mindful of God's direction in that freedom, submitting it to His greater good. As a result, many Christians live in communities that, perhaps, God has not called them to. While I would never suggest that all Christian abandon their rural or suburban communities for the neighbourhoods of the urban core, I will say that there is a clear imbalance in where Christians live, work, school, relate, etc. Someone isn't being obedient.

In the end, we need to be aware of the needs around us in the communities we feel called. Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing, which is reflected in Jesus' awareness and response to the very real needs around Him. He didn't wait for them to cross His path in His home or place of worship. He didn't try to attract them with the promise of good programing. He spent His life among the everyday lives of the people- and usually those on the margins- and served the needs of those people. We can do no less.

Tell me what you think? Does meeting the felt needs of a community rank as a significant value in your life or in your faith community?

The third and final post on this series will explore the incredibly important point of modelling and "proclaiming" the Good New that we are called to share with all Creation.

Emerging Church Missional Third Place

Chris's Release Into A New Community
January 9, 2005 - Winnipeg Sun
by Harry Lehotsky CM

I extended my hand and smirked as Chris entered the church. It's not my typical pastoral greeting, but this time I couldn't help it. We had talked several times over the phone, and I had heard about him, but we hadn't met.

His visit was prefaced by a typically brusque and blunt phone call. "Hey, I'm just gonna come in, meet you, and just check out the joint, see if it's safe."

As he entered the church, I considered the oddness of his expressed concern for safety. He looked more like the type of guy who would elevate the concern of others for their own safety. Long hair, wild beard, battle worn leather jacket, and extensive tattoos accompanied a look and manner which indicated a hair-trigger temper and a history of anti-social behaviour.

As I shook his hand and our eyes met, I knew he wasn't concerned about his physical safety.

So I figured if we're both thinking something, we should probably talk about it -- even if it's awkward.

His comments clarified that he knew better how to deal with a physical threat than a look of condescension or judgment.

Chris, like so many others, understood that physical wounds heal, but dirty looks and mistrust cut in a way that can't be sutured.

I told him I couldn't guarantee that everyone would immediately trust him. Some in the church had been hurt by people who looked like him. They might understandably be a bit nervous. I reminded him that he had gone to great lengths to develop a look that worked to protect him on the street precisely by making other people nervous.

It's like others I know who don't take a bath for weeks and then get all indignant about the snobbery of people whose gag reflex hasn't yet adjusted to the stench.

But I assured him that most of the folk in our church aren't ruled by first impressions or old prejudices. They would give him the same chance they got -- a chance to be who they wanted to be. To be treated like they were prepared to treat others.

He made sure I understood that he had done "hard time." That he wasn't impressed with religion. That he was about "as interested in the Bible as in Playboy magazine."

And I could tell he was surprised when I responded with a smile and commented that I was fine starting there.

Chris was a survivor. He survived the death of his wife and kids via a drunk driver. He survived an internment of over half his life in penitentiaries across Canada. He had survived the enmity of determined foes and the friendship of similarly challenged buddies.

I found it intriguing how Chris and I lived in the same neighbourhood, yet our view of the community -- let alone the world -- could be so totally different.

It hit me when Chris and I spent a day together. I visited the school, several businesses and some church and community acquaintances. Since Chris was with me, I simply introduced him as my friend.

Had he come alone, folks may not even have answered the door.

Part way through the afternoon, Chris announced, "Harry -- this is blowing my mind. I always laughed when people talked about community. Before today that was just a place where I had a room, ate my meals and watched my back. Now I can understand what people mean when they use the word 'community.' "

And the concept revolutionized his behaviour in the neighbourhood.

There was the time Virginia was at the checkout line in Safeway when she spied Chris glaring in her direction. Unsure of what was going on she approached him to ask what was happening. He clarified that he wasn't looking at her but some guy who was getting too close -- probably trying to look into her purse. The guy caught Chris's glare and took off quickly.

Chris was a guy who was labelled a perpetual perpetrator. He was a guy with serious authority issues, a history of criminal behaviour, a trail of violence and incarceration that made him a suspect even when he wasn't committing crimes.

Now, instead of a perpetrator, Chris began to see himself more in the role of protector of community. He didn't trust "the system" and he despised "programs," but he was determined to find ways to help.

A night owl, he put together a medical kit in a small tool box and always kept it ready to help people he found injured in dangerous places. He found ways -- some very unorthodox -- to try to get people off the streets. He broadened my understanding of community -- the people, the behaviours and the concept of friendship.

We became friends -- talking together, working together, jogging around the neighbourhood.

He started working on some of our housing renovations. Kids, including my own, were drawn to this wild, intense ex-con always willing to talk about appreciation for life and parents and getting real with doing good. And I was happy for their time with Chris. I had no worries about him corrupting the kids. If anything, he was inspiring them in new ways to carve out a good path. To pursue with vigour the chances he felt he never got.

Chris continually marvelled at the new world opening up in front of him.

And I marveled at what can happen when you start treating someone like they want to be treated instead of how they've felt they deserve to be treated.

Missional

“What suburbia cries for are the means for people to gather easily, inexpensively, regularly, and pleasurably -- a ‘place on the corner,’ real life alternatives to television, easy escapes from the cabin fever of marriage and family life that do not necessitate getting into an automobile.”

- Ray Oldenburg

This past Saturday, I was honoured to accept an invitation by my friend Brother Maynard to share at his house church gathering. He invited me to share my journey, focusing specifically on our vision and plans to develop a missional "third place"- a used bookstore currently being called "The Dusty Cover"- in our West End neighbourhood. In addition to some great conversation with some excellent people, it afforded me the opportunity to process even further the ideas and values that are shaping this vision.

One of the questions that I was asked was "What are the core things you hope to accomplish with this third place?". While I would probably develop this further given more time, but in that moment I responded"

1. To create a safe, neutral space for genuine relationships to be built with our neighhours.

2. To assess and serve some felt needs of the community out of specific giftings/abilities.

3. To model and "proclaim" the Gospel in a mutual pursuit of salvation.

Over the next week, I want to explore each of these points. First, however, I went on to explain that, though the Gospel was listed third it does not reflect a reduced importance or value placed on it. Rather, it reflects an intentional pattern in our approach. I hope this will become more clear with each successive post.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term "third places", urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg described those social environments, in contrast to the first and second places of home and work, where we interact with our neighbours and form community. Missiologists recognize that, with the diminishment of Christendom, the local church is no longer a safe "third place" for those who are not actively identified with Christianity. Add to this that Western Evangelicalism has created something of a "Christian ghetto" and we find that the remaining third places in our culture have been largely abandon by Christians.

To further complicate matters, most of the third places in our culture are significantly market driven- that is to say it costs people to participate in them. Starbucks, a business whose success has been built largely on creating a third place, offers customers not only a product, but also a culture and experience. However, it comes with a steep price tag, as anyone who has paid for a coffee there can attest to.

Facing this, Christians need to be intentional about engaging in existing third places. As these are become few and far between, and those that are there are becoming highly commodified, it also means that we will need to aid in the creation of new third places. However, the biggest challenge in respect to creating such spaces is that, as Christians, we need to recognize that they are by necessity somewhat neutral.

By this I mean that if a space is to truly be a safe and natural place for all people in the community to gather and participate, it must allow for a diversity of ethnic, racial, socio-economic, religious, etc. representation. While we do not hide or deny our Christian identity and beliefs, we must intentionally limit the degree to which we create the space out of that foundation. Third places cannot be created as attractional lures to draw non-Christians into a context where we can evangelize them. In fact, if we do this, it is not truly a third place.

The third place is not created to primarily be a place of evangelism, but rather be a place where genuine relationships and understanding with our neighbours can be developed. If we seek to know the people of our community primarily out of a desire simply to know them, only then will true relationships of mutual trust develop. Only then will we be able to live our lives in front of each other, out of which missional opportunities are born.

As the group quickly and wisely pointed Saturday evening, the biggest sacrafice this approach requires of us as Christians is control. We need to let go of the urgent sense of needing to guide and direct every relationship, conversation, program, etc. towards a "spiritual sales pitch", and rather begin to enter relationships with a mutual interest and humility.

What do you think? Is that neutrality a compromise to our evangelistic calling as Christians? How neutral is neutral enough? Share your thoughts.

In the next post I will explore the second point, that of assessing and serving a felt need(s) out of the context of our own calling, giftings and abilities.



Emerging Church Missional Third Place

I took this photo last year in my backyard. I won't elaborate much on this, but in this small picture I am overwhelmed by God's ability to create beauty beyond the capabilities of our greatest masters. Glory to God.