Dear John

A post at emergingchurch.info has an interesting interview with a chap called John. This is an extract:

"This is what I really wanted to say - people don't come. We don't get support from our parent church - they think we'll grow out of it. Our friends just don't want to know about anything that's to do with church. And we're a bit scared about and unsure as how to invite people we don't know - we've been in the local paper, we've done posters and postcards... what next?       

It feels like we're slogging our guts out creating this wonderful thing for just the few of us. And I mean few - sometimes just 3 or 4. This just isn't going to last - we'll all collapse of exhaustion sooner or later. I'm beginning to think this emerging church thing is just for those who are lucky enough to have someone ordained looking after it. The rest of us plant, struggle to sprout, but ultimately aren't fed. I bet we're not alone - I've heard of lots of groups starting off with a blast of excitment (sic) and then collapse because you just can't do this stuff without some serious support. What happens then? There's no going back to life BE (before emerging). But I do wonder if that's the reason why churches stay in the safety zone - it's the only real way to survive without serious support."

This is what I want to say to John.

Do not despise the day of small things. Be encouraged that there are three or four of you and know that that is really important. We need to move away from numbers or even longevity being a measure of success. You are growing disciples of Christ. We are all Church think of going deep not broad. What are you inviting them to anyway? Another meeting? A different meeting? Just invite them to dinner and begin to be family with them.

I need to say these things to myself often too, but after listening to the laid back approach from the Living Room down under I am learning to chill. With our friends - though I would love them to know Christ, there are things I can learn from them and instead of trying to convince them to a cognitive understanding, we just try to be their friends. As we serve them and love them, maybe they will begin to move along the journey of faith.

At the network gathering I met a couple of people in a similar position to John and us. It was a huge release knowing that there are others struggling out there. If you ever read this John email me and I will invite you to the next one!

Comments

[Lorretta]

Well said.