looking back - looking forward

"I'm so sorry," the young girl kept saying after hearing the words "this church just closed down."

This past Friday I took a road trip with our "hospitality enforcer," aka "big Mike," to pick up some chairs for BSM.  I had no idea it would be from such a beautiful old church.  I had also been unaware that this church recently closed, and with the Presbytery's approval, we could basically claim whatever we wanted from there for BSM.

As we we hauling chairs and tables out the back door to the rented Penske truck, a couple of young girls who lived down the road decided to say hello.  They were both between 4-6 years old I'd assume.  They were very curious as to what we were doing.  When I told them the story, she kept saying "i'm so sorry." She also explained that she used to go there to eat meals here and they hosted girl scouts among many other things for this impoverished area.  She kept apologizing to me as if this was my church, as if this closing was affecting me personally.

a prophet...

All year, I've been plugging away with church revitalization.  I've been working in two environments where church had basically "closed down."  I've had the unique opportunity of helping to create a new church environment for the 21st century without having to fight through the existing church cultures that exist in most places.  Being so caught up in this has left me unappreciative of the past, of the great history of churches, of the pain that comes with closing down.

The thought is that the more you look back, the more you'll be held back from charging forward with new ministry.  This is true to some extent.  However, where is the grace in this?  Where do we sympathize with our brothers and sisters whose ministry has failed?  Do we blame them?  Did they get what they deserved for not running an effective ministry?

I should be sorry...

Walking through a place that carried hopes and dreams of many many people is a sobering reality that reminds us how difficult it is to live faithfully as a church community.  Amidst all the work a church does, being in relationship with one another is at the core.  When a church closes, the opportunity for this closes.  We should seek ways to reach out to those who are losing their place of hope, whether it be a church community, a family, friends, etc...

In the meantime, I look forward greatly to the final couple months I have here at BSM, moving forward, hopefully in the direction of new ministry that serves the kingdom of God.  May the knowledge of the saints, the great cloud of witnesses, who have gone before guide us in this direction.  May we continue to be grateful.

BSM celebrates its 5th birthday today which is a HUGE deal.  They have survived this long as a radical new ministry and deserve to celebrate with those who have been there along the way.  Despite all the new things this place has brought, the sanctuary walls continue to peel, the ceiling continues to crumble, the building continues to deteriorate.  However, the walls still stand.  Those who have gone before us continue to support ministry in this place, even though they are long gone now.  May the ministry carry onward as the Spirit leads!

Happy Birthday Broad Street Ministry!