Two initial thoughts.

I was looking back through the notes that Kim took from Sunday, and I wanted to spend some time thinking through what all was said, what was heard, what was implied, and what was missed. Let me offer a few initial thoughts before getting a little more in depth. First, I’m very grateful for all of the thoughts and comments that everyone was willing to offer. I think that one of the strengths that we have is that we can communicate well with each other. I know that even in a small, familiar setting it can be difficult to feel safe enough to share, so thanks to everyone who stepped out on uneasy territory. Secondly, I know that we were missing a few of the usual suspects, but it was really great to have everyone there to be apart of the conversation. Having that type of discussion really needed everyone there.

As I look back on Kim’s notes, two phrases from the first page really stand out to me. Kyle mentioned about how he really likes that his attendance sheet has some sort of permanence in our apartment. Kim wrote down that, “Touches of us remain here.” I really like that thought. I have trouble moving past the first page of notes because of that line. I think that that speaks a lot about the type of community that we are striving to be. I think we should continue to be a type of community where part of you is left with the rest of us. This is community in the sense that you are needed and wanted and noticed when you aren’t there. This is community in the sense that you are encouraged to be a participant and not just an observer. I love that line, “Touches of us remain here.” I know that much of his thoughts had to do with the physical location that we meet in, but does this statement extend into the emotional and spiritual aspects of our church, too? What do you think? Are their touches of you that remain with us? Are you connected? If not, what’s holding you back?

 

The second thought that has stuck with me is something that Kim wrote down while I was talking about “our story.” She wrote, “Don’t forget who we are.” This phrase has been a strong reminder to me this past week. It’s easy for me to spend my time thinking in how things could be, and miss seeing things as they are. This is something that I have to be conscious about, because if I’m not careful I’ll live in the thoughts of the future and neglect the present. This phrase, “don’t forget who we are,” has been reminding me to think and dream about who we are, right now, and set aside the future until it gets here. This is not an easy thing for me to do. Even my last topic of discussion was evident of this. I ask what we should do about growth. I’m grateful for those of you how were quick to say that we shouldn’t worry about that right now, we should just let it happen. I really needed the reminder that we could just let it happen. And perhaps the better reminder was to think about who we are and not who we could be or who we should be or who we wish we were. It was encouraging to talk about finding our identity in being an experiment. But what does that really mean? What does being an experiment really look like? What elements of what we are, are experimental? Are we actively experimenting, or are we just “going with the flow?”

 

It would be great if you would take some time to respond to these things. Also, I realize that there will likely be more people reading this who are not a part of our particular “experiment,” but I would love to hear your thoughts, too. Perhaps you’ll be able to offer thoughts based on your church experiments. Outsideinsight can be a wonderful catalyst.

 

Cheers.