The current theme/meme is to answer 
this question:
“How do you follow Christ without being a part of a local church?”
Though I have been attending a local church regularly for several months now, (GASP!) I am still drawn to forming significant relationships outside the institutional church. My life experiences lead me to believe that I will have a better chance of finding those relationships outside the institutional church.
What am I looking for? My profile on Meetup.com, describes a starting point:
“Seeking conversation with others who want to freely explore what it means to have tangible faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even with serious questions and doubts. Looking for unity in our questions rather than uniformity in our answers.”
My friend David and I believe that there are people, even in our conservative suburbs, who would like to explore what it means to follow Jesus—but to do so without fear of simplistic answers, moralizing and manipulation. That means no hidden agenda, no typical Christian bait-and-switch “discussion” aimed at conversion or church growth.
So David and I are going to act on that belief. We have no intention of planting a house church, a “simple” church, an organic church, or any other kind of church. We just want to create a safe place for people to gather and talk honestly about what it means to follow Christ in today’s complex, frenetic world. That could include discussing challenges to following Christ such as doubt, fear, feeling abandoned by God, social pressure, serious questions about the validity of certain Christian doctrines or practices, and even skepticism about the authority of the Bible. Our intent is that this will be a place where all who participate, regardless of their views, will be treated with respect. There is also a hope that as trust builds over time, conversation will become more open and deeply real. David and I will endeavor to model respect and openness. Hopefully the conversation could even draw some normal people (non-Christians).
Those who have been reading my posts may remember that I was involved in an attempt to host a community discussion on the subject of hospitality as a first step toward this dream. That was canceled due to insufficient ticket sales. So we move on. David and I will soon meet with two casual friends who we believe may be open to building a relationship around shared desire for meaningful and generous faith. Beyond that we have no elaborate strategy. We’re just taking the step of initiating a conversation and then being open and responsive to what happens next. Who might be invited next? No idea.
We have no grand schemes, no detailed plans. As a recovering idealistic, cynical, control freak, I’ve been down that road one time too many. We truly do not want this to be a program or a project. This is not about goals or success. We want simply to take a step in faith and see what God does.
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Today I met with David for our usual Saturday morning coffee. He’s been invited to meet with a small group of people getting together for the first time to have an open conversation about what it means to be Christian in today’s post-Christian world. But the organizer is very cautious because his employer is hardcore evangelical. So it’s a fairly clandestine meeting. David will let me know how it goes.
In the meantime I’ve just spent an hour looking at groups all over the country that are related by an interest in emerging or progressive Christianity on Meetup.com. If I lived in Portland,OR I’d probably go to this one: Portland Christians with Questions (http://www.meetup.com/Portland-Christians-with-Questions/).
I spent that time because I’m seriously considering starting a Meetup. I was thinking about trying to start an Emergent Cohort, but I’m hesitant to put a label on it. I really like the way the organizer of the “Portland Christians with Questions” Meetup describes her group. I’ve written her to find out what she’s learned about starting Meetups. After sending the email I reread the intro to that group. I’d really like to plagiarize some of what she wrote there, but I didn’t ask her about that in my email.
More as things progress. Peace and blessings.
This is a great post Gary. You know if I was in the neighborhood I’d meet up with you guys. But thanks for pointing to the one here in Portland…I might look at that. I think with anything like that it will be important to steer those who wish to inflict their personal certainties on others towards a practice of grace…but for many people it could be just the thing.
Erin, yeah, I like that she has this caveat in her group description: “That said, this is also not a meetup for those of you with all the answers to come and set us all straight. Pointing to the Bible and saying it’s true because it says it’s true will be considered circular reasoning in this group. This is a meetup for people of faith who need to explore the questions of faith and culture and human development without fear; for people who can disagree without being disagreeable.”
Gary, I appreciate the way you and the other bloggers here are keeping trail notes on the journey towards something or other. Its helpful for those of us who are still wondering what the next leg of the portage might look like.
David, thanks so much for your comments. It’s a great encouragement to me to hear that our musings are of value to others.
Coincidentally, this morning I received an email from a dear woman on the other side of the country. I had inquired about her experiences in organizing a meeting for Christians who ask questions. I was surprised when she asked if I was the Gary Means from PoorinSpirit and Communitas because my writing had made space for her to begin to move in her faith again.
I write primarily because it helps me process my journey. I also write because over the years I have found that as I encounter kindred voices online, I find direct or indirect validation of my journey. The voices of others confirm that I am neither alone nor crazy. Often times I find that another person has voiced my own thoughts, fears, hopes, pain and struggles in ways that I had not been able to articulate. I write with gratitude for those for encourage me, like my sisters and brothers here.
oy vey . . . I’m rambling again.
peace, brother.
Hi Gary,
I’ve been lurking around this website for some time and now I finally feel like responding. I, too have been looking for something like this. No, I’m desperate and hungry for a place like this. I live in Seattle and am hoping to find others who would be interested. Just a safe place to explore, to wander and wonder, for encouragement. If you know of one like that over here, please let me know!
Thanks so much for this entry!
Vina
HI Vina,
Thanks so much for writing. I live in South King county and there certainly isn’t anything like that here . . . yet. I’m not really sure what’s available in Seattle. A place you might find very welcoming is Church of the Apostles in Freemont. I love visiting there.
When we get a group started in the area I will certainly post details. If you’d be willing to drive to the Auburn area, you’d be more than welcome.