church re-imagined and the coffee church community
First of all, I really enjoyed the layout of Doug Pagitt’s Church Re-Imagined. I like the unique flavor of the book—that Pagitt outlines what a typical week is like in the life of Solomon’s Porch, how each day represents a core belief the community holds to, and the valuable feedback listed in journal entries from several of the members.
The Tuesday evening gatherings at Solomon’s Porch are where the community as a whole gathers to “work” on that week’s sermon…together. Each person comes with his or her own opinions, backgrounds, and nuances. Each has equal voice to be heard and the freedom to speak. The sermon is compiled as the dialogue takes place. What learning must take place in this meeting time together and also on Sunday as you hear it, as you see it, as you experience it all come together. The application following would be so much more personal in working through and being a vital part of the formation of the sermon. I cannot help but feel this learning would be so much more well served if implemented into our communities.
In speaking of the vitality of living in community, Pagitt states:
Most people come to faith not by an isolated effort but through living day by day with people of faith such as their families or friends. People may not fully understand the beliefs involved, but they learn what the Christian life looks like as they see people to whom they are deeply connected living out the disciplines of prayer, worship, and service (25).
I thought about the coffee church community, who for the most part, live within a two-mile radius of one another (most of who live in the same apartment complex). Family is experienced within the context of daily life. Needs are known and expressed and met by community. Beliefs are shared, accepted, and questioned in the context of a safe environment. Most of the community is seminary students but each is at a different place in his or her own walk with the Lord, some not yet even beginning that journey. People within the community learn from one another in their own beliefs and expressions of those beliefs.
Pagitt goes on to say, “Christian community can and should be context for evangelism and discipleship, a place where faith is professed and lived” (25). In the context of community, both evangelism and discipleship become a natural outgrowth. Just this week, I received an email addressed to all the ladies of coffee church asking about the interest in an all women’s Bible study/fellowship time. I was amazed at the response and how many women expressed this was something they needed. Even though community does exist, these women sensed needing something more, more of being around one another in vulnerable and accountable relationships. Discipleship has simply birthed from being in community with one another.
Pagitt addresses the subject of the consumeristic motives that drive people in looking for churches today. He, nor Solomon’s Porch, resign to this search. Instead, “we ask people to bring to our community their contributions and by their involvement be more life giving” (55). So is the same with coffee church. Each is expected to contribute what they can and in what capacity. Coffee church isn’t concerned with catering to the whims of everyone in order to keep everyone happy. It is a community concerned with offering each other and the world Jesus Christ.
The Tuesday evening gatherings at Solomon’s Porch are where the community as a whole gathers to “work” on that week’s sermon…together. Each person comes with his or her own opinions, backgrounds, and nuances. Each has equal voice to be heard and the freedom to speak. The sermon is compiled as the dialogue takes place. What learning must take place in this meeting time together and also on Sunday as you hear it, as you see it, as you experience it all come together. The application following would be so much more personal in working through and being a vital part of the formation of the sermon. I cannot help but feel this learning would be so much more well served if implemented into our communities.
In speaking of the vitality of living in community, Pagitt states:
Most people come to faith not by an isolated effort but through living day by day with people of faith such as their families or friends. People may not fully understand the beliefs involved, but they learn what the Christian life looks like as they see people to whom they are deeply connected living out the disciplines of prayer, worship, and service (25).
I thought about the coffee church community, who for the most part, live within a two-mile radius of one another (most of who live in the same apartment complex). Family is experienced within the context of daily life. Needs are known and expressed and met by community. Beliefs are shared, accepted, and questioned in the context of a safe environment. Most of the community is seminary students but each is at a different place in his or her own walk with the Lord, some not yet even beginning that journey. People within the community learn from one another in their own beliefs and expressions of those beliefs.
Pagitt goes on to say, “Christian community can and should be context for evangelism and discipleship, a place where faith is professed and lived” (25). In the context of community, both evangelism and discipleship become a natural outgrowth. Just this week, I received an email addressed to all the ladies of coffee church asking about the interest in an all women’s Bible study/fellowship time. I was amazed at the response and how many women expressed this was something they needed. Even though community does exist, these women sensed needing something more, more of being around one another in vulnerable and accountable relationships. Discipleship has simply birthed from being in community with one another.
Pagitt addresses the subject of the consumeristic motives that drive people in looking for churches today. He, nor Solomon’s Porch, resign to this search. Instead, “we ask people to bring to our community their contributions and by their involvement be more life giving” (55). So is the same with coffee church. Each is expected to contribute what they can and in what capacity. Coffee church isn’t concerned with catering to the whims of everyone in order to keep everyone happy. It is a community concerned with offering each other and the world Jesus Christ.
posted by jen @ 3:37 PM
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