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.
So….I’m sitting here on an average day–no shocking headlines or famous dead guys to quote today. I do, however, have a few ponderings rolling around in my head….I’ve prepared for you a special something straight from my heart of Tami-ness (smirk). And just to make it more special (ahem), I write to you from a psychiatric ward in CO, as a patient. Yes, from a hospital. Yes, I’m broken.
we are thankful to have new neighbors at the grange: transition westminster/arvada/broomfield. we have mentioned the work that they are doing at different times over the past few months, but we thought it would be good for you to hear from them directly and know more about the work that they are doing in our community. the refuge is thankful for their spirit and dedication to community and look forward to sharing space and ideas in the months and years to come. you can learn more about upcoming events at 
Conflict. The word itself seems to activate some invisible force field around my heart. Insulating me, protecting me from harm–but ultimately separating me from stepping across to the shared intimacy of true community. My invisible “conflict” shield was most recently exposed when faced with the unexpected dissolution of my 24 year marriage to the man of my dreams. A great avoider and accommodate-r in conflict, I saw too late how my inability to face conflict in a healthy manner handicapped marital intimacy. But as such unwelcome lessons go, I am realizing my conflict/intimacy problem goes way beyond my marriage relationship. It impacts every relationship I have with friends and family, and even limits my ability to truly enjoy being ‘in community’. (Intimacy here is referring to that sense of closeness and belonging in a relationship.)
this past saturday at the refuge we talked about how faith and doubt can exist in the same situation. it’s a little like the optical illusion images that most of us have seen, the one where you either see a vase or the profile of two people looking at each other. it just depends how we look at the picture/situation. we tend to vacillate back and forth, but we never seem to be able to focus on one or the other for a long period of time.
There are a few chains of “natural” or “organic” food stores. The ones I’m most familiar with are Whole Foods (some of which go by the name Wild Oats here in Colorado) and a local chain called Vitamin Cottage.
here are a few thoughts to ponder as we focus on “community” over the next few weeks at our saturday gatherings.
