I like to build things. But I have this weird obsession to use as much reclaimed material as possible. I loathe going to the store and just buying something new or shiny. I wish I had some deep environmental ethic, but I confess my true motivation is I love the forced creativity, only using what is on hand. I have this image that is what God intended when we build faith communities.
I have never been lost in the woods, or stranded on a tropical island, or survived an arctic plane crash. But if I did, I like to think I am the sort of person who could build a shelter, something to survive in. I would not be interested in fancy, lifetime structures, just something to keep me safe and warm. I think that is what God was thinking when He talked about church. I think He thought we would use the resources we find at hand, small broken pieces of people to build a temporary and safe place.
Sadly, faith communities seem intent on building cathedrals. Super structures that inspire awe and require lots of imported materials–a great preacher (or as great as the budget allows) from the north, young and talented musicians from the east and a comfortable, suburban or cool and hip urban location.
A shelter in the woods is completely different from one in the jungle or arctic. The materials and needs are unique only to each environment. Yet churches seem to be sadly almost identical. The same awesome worship, inspired preaching and comfortable “seeker friendly” auditoriums are found in Alabama and Oregon.
What if we limited ourselves to the resources that God has placed at hand? Something unique will always emerge. The gospel has a unique and irritating characteristic: it seems more attractive to the socially awkward, the economically deprived and the meek. That is why if want to build something cool, we have to import that resource, because cool, together, even emotionally healthy is a scarce resource in the kingdom of God.
I love the unique “building” God is making at The Refuge. I love that forced creativity that happens when we find in our own friends everything we need to find community. It is not fancy, but it is fully functional and will keep you safe.
even when the refuge started, my mindset was to build that big church. i’ll have to admit, i was disappointed when i found out there was a different plan. it didn’t take long, however, to see the value of doing community this other way. i have never felt safer, more accepted or more loved than i do in the little lean to, you helped build. there is something beautiful about the church, that has been built with us leftover scrapes. i think God is into recycling. i think He calls it redemption, though.
Unique we are, like no other and safe so safe.
I like this..A LOT. What came to my mind is the contrast between a cabin I lived in for a year in Evergreen and the houses I clean windows for in Winter Park. I called the cabin my “found object cabin”. Apparently, in an effort to save money, the owner used whatever was laying around in his back yard to build the cabin–mismatched counter tops, various pieces of linoleum, and the carpet, oh my…you get the picture. Quite a contrast to the houses I’m in in Winter Park…every stone meticulously laid, every log, or beam or siding erected with a meticulous eye overlooking the process, so no error is made. And the interiors, so flawless in design and decor. Museums really.
Flawless communities don’t cultivate an environment for life and all it’s complexities to be lived out.
I remember one time helping a friend of a friend move into a temporary place, but a VERY elaborate log home in the mountains. I carried a few things in, looked around and LITERALLY was getting nauseated. I sat there kind of stunned, holding my stomach and my friend asked me what was wrong…when I told him, he said, “yea, I know what you mean.” There seems to be a limit to how much we can handle of anything. So, to be honest with you…I think you’re right about God intending faith communities to be something from what appears(to the world) to be “nothing”…or what’s on hand. I think when it is that way, people feel welcomed, invited, loved, accepted and safe. It doesn’t make us uncomfortable or want to put on some kind of powerful, “loud”, fake exterior just to fit in or try to BE a super cathedral Christian! It makes us want to come in, be ourselves and kick our feet up as if we were AT HOME! Ya know, honestly Karl, the “what’s on hand” made me think of Jesus feeding the four thousand…the five thousand!
How fun for you to take something from what’s on hand and see how God feeds your sheep! God bless you, Pastor Karl and thanks for the great post!!!
thanks friends for all the great convo this stirs up. it reminds of one other concept i connect with in terms of all my remodeling efforts: i am never done.
the “shelter” is each week morphing into something new, different. it is fun to see in each season what will emerge!
lets keep hacking away,