The Experience

I hate the word church. Thinking of the word church can give me pictures in my mind of stained glass, pews, organs, somberness (defined as reverence), uncomfortable suits (yes, when I was a kid I had an adorable 3 piece pin striped suit), church politics, and grumpy old ladies (I like old ladies. I’m not so sure about grumpy old  ladies… Okay, grumpy people in general can give me a rash).

I overheard a conversation a couple days ago about church. About church is simply moving parishoners from one church to another church.  And I know the attraction to this. Whenever someone new shows up at The Experience, I’m excited! I’m even more excited when they come back for week two. The Experience IS NOT for everyone! It can be a bit strange, especially if you define church by the above mental pictures. But, when people show up, it’s exciting! And stealing someone from another church is thrilling.

But, I’m tiring of the thrill. I don’t want to be called a church anymore. I’m going to have a hard time breaking the habit. When we launched The Experience I remember wanting to kill the word church - but it was too ingrained in me and in others. But, I like the word Spiritual Family so much better. I like the word Community so much better. (I also like the words Ice Cream a lot as well - but that’s besides the point.)

I guess too many people have been burned by “church.” Too many people have felt that church was more about “church” than about people. Too many people have felt, as a friend told me a few days ago, that “church” just seems to pile on more guilt.

The Spiritual Family - the Community - is about transforming a community. It’s the call of the disciples by Jesus - when they saw a crowd of hungry people - to “give them something to eat.” Poor, uneducated, simple, blue-collar fishermen are told to feed 5, 6, 7, maybe 10 thousand+ people - in a moments notice.

That is the call of The Experience - and any group of people who feel they are followers of Jesus. It’s about changing the world in a positive way - feeding the hungry, comforting the divorced, challenging the arrogant, playing with children, and changing the world.

Oh that we would change the world… Oh that we would not play “church.” Oh that we would not simply move people from church to church - but see “net kingdom growth” - people who today do not know the power of Christ Spirituality in their lives finding the reality of Jesus living in them.