landmarks

This coming Sunday is the 25th year anniversary of the Philadelphia Area Disc Alliance (i'm playing in their summer league this year).  Given that ultimate frisbee was invented in 1969, this is kind of a big deal (i'm sure only about 2 people reading this blog will even care about this).  However, my point is...

Landmarks are significant.

This past Sunday, the 16th, Broad Street Ministry celebrated its 5th year of existence.  Now this doesn't seem like much.  However, in the nonprofit world, this is a LONG time.  In the "experimental church" world, even longer.

Sunday was a wonderful celebration.  Even though I was loaded down with grunt work of making sure it ran smoothly, I was still able to experience the joyfulness of the day.  The BSM atmosphere was in full effect among the 400 gathered in that place (3x more than usual).  We had a smattering of every type of person possible, many who have been through the doors of BSM at some point in the past.  The worship service had the usual level of unruliness, fun, and joy, yet multiplied by the high energy in the room.  We had one guest, convinced he is Christ incarnite, who was jumping up and down, dancing to every song, making loud comments during service, and trying for another dose of the Communion.  We had more kids than usual, who found a spot near the back of the room to draw.  We had youth groups who have done mission trips at BSM in the past.  We had elders from churches who have given large sums of money in the past.  We had artist friends, homeless friends, dancer friends, social advocacy friends.  If you don't believe in a thing such as the "Holy Spirit," you may have been convinced otherwise on this day.

Oh yeah, and we had cake.

Capturing this event and the nature of BSM was a photobooth project by artist JJ Tiziou.  It was mostly as you imagine - a giant box where you make faces as the camera fires rapidly.  What emerged throughout the night was a HUGE smattering of people, faces.  The faces that showed up on the screen were ALL beautiful.  The magic was seeing everyone in their true light, whether they be a well-dressed businessman, or a worn down homeless person, they all looked beautiful.  This is the landmark we leave as a church: faces of those who the church encounters.  Faces that may not be captured by society.  Faces that Christ sees and loves.

Landmarks are significant.

Well, more like "watermarks," another significant moment this past week was a goal achieved by TheChurchisAlive blog.  We went with a pretty crazy idea: run an online fundraising drive for charity:water that would basically fund the building of a well in an impoverished area of the world.  We had been running this blog site as a home for those wishing to express a new energy and enthusiasm about the church and its ability to change the world around.  With the momentum we've been gaining, why not build a $5,000 well?

We did it.  In about 80 days we raised $5,250, enough to serve 262 families in a community.

It's amazing to me how people dedicated to giving of themselves can come together like this for such an amazing purpose.  Whether or not they did it for the "church" doesn't matter.  Hearts joined to meet a passion for the world in need.  We, as a churchisalive team, believe this to be the work of the gospel, work that doesn't quite translate these days in church.  Work that is often muffled by the bad media and pessimism about "church."

Our campaign started near the beginning of lent, hit a midpoint at East, and concluded right before Pentecost.  Our goal was met and we continue pressing onward.  I think that speaks for itself.

Landmarks are significant.

 

blogging, sorting, chatting

I've had several things to write about in the past couple of weeks and will just have to settle for a couple of brief recaps!

First off, THE CHURCH IS ALIVE is going for 2 posts a week, so keep checking it out and WRITE SOMETHING for it!

Jan. 30th, I worked the Youth Weekend at BSM.  I was stationed in the back Sunday School Room to lead a MASSIVE project of sorting and moving clothes donations that have built up over the past couple of weeks.  Over a 6 hour period we finished the task of moving clothes into labeled bags that will be picked up by Salvation Army.  Why don't we use all of them you ask?  Do you ever wonder what kind of things get donated to clothing closet operations?  Let's just say it was a very unfortunate reminder of what people of privilege think of those without.  People give us their TRASH.  Old soccer cleats caked with mud, women's tops with broken straps, tiny shorts/skirts that most parents wouldn't let their kids walk outside the house wearing, USED socks and underwear, unmatched socks, I could go on.  Beyond this, we had clothes that were nice, but unusable to our context (kids clothing), or just WAY too many clothes of a certain type that would merely build up as more donations came in.  

Point of the matter is that the way people look at charity is very upsetting for the most part.  I would speak more to this, but instead I guide you to read the last post I did about "clothing with greater honor." Hey, that metaphor works perfectly!

This week, I visited Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond (my seminary) and Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta to promote the internship I am in the midst of.  Erika and I had a wonderful time meeting with students, professors, and other community folks to talk about Broad Street Ministry.  We spoke from a place of deep excitement about how BSM is such a unique experience of being church.  We talked about how the place came to be, what the community is like now, and how pastoral vocation can be shaped through this internship.  We also had a unique opportunity to give brief plugs to preaching and worship classes at both campuses, speaking to the unique form of worship at BSM.  We spoke of the congregation and the practice of communion in that context.  

There was a little bit of tension with some that we talked to about the identity of BSM as not an actual "parish" of the Presbyterian Church.  Being a nonprofit and mission partner has brought a lot of unique opportunities to BSM.  Many of the people we talked to are looking to go into traditional parishes that for the most part, will not have as many unique opportunities.  However, there is a longing among the students we talk to of wishing to reform many practices of the church, to be open to new and creative ways the Spirit is working through the church.  At Columbia, when I was asked about how this could be navigated, I responded that a lot of it has to do with church culture.  The culture of BSM has always been a very affirming and open one, whereas traditional churches have LONG histories and cultures to contend with at times, which is a precarious and long path that must be dealt with delicately.  To begin this journey, I spoke of the 2-3 young adults I meet with every week who wish to be a part of the BSM community.  BSM wouldn't be ANYWHERE that it is now if it wasn't for the young people who have been asked to come and bring their gifts and passions to SHAPE BSM.  This empowerment has allowed BSM to be a unique expression of church.  

If I had to give one message from the halls of BSM to churches out there it would be to OPEN up, BE authentic, and LET new people come in and be empowered to form the church in new, exciting, and creative ways.

Young seminary students we encounter are a clear example of this, as they are looking to enter parishes as pastors, leaders of the congregation.  

Unfortunately, we didn't get any commits for the upcoming year.  However, we had a few at each campus interested the following year.  If YOU are interested or know a seminary student who would be interested in a full year immersion at BSM, LET US KNOW!  

What's the point of church anyway?

I apologize for taking forever to do a new post!  Quick update: things have been in fairly high gear over here as both campuses prepare for the end of the year sprint!  At BSM, the Breaking Bread program has been going full force!  This has been an incredible opportunity to witness what it means for 100 poor, often homeless, people to come in, get food, and be treated as humans for a couple hours out of their day.  We offer lunch and social services such as haircuts, a clothing closet, benefits bank, and hygiene kits to name a few.  I've enjoyed these meals as it gives me a chance to really develop my relationship with the regulars that come in our doors.  They have incredible stories to share.  At Arch Street Pres, we have been gearing up for the Advent season!  We are looking at starting some mid-week afternoon services for the working population in downtown Philly.  The congregation has been gaining momentum and life thanks to 2 great sundays where we had meal fellowship following the service!  As far as my personal self is concerned, call or visit to see how I'm doing!

I've also been lacking inspiration for posts, which may be a case of some fatigue - it can be hard to keep up with all the posting!  I hope you all have enjoyed my post-bible study reflections on Wed., I'll try to keep those up!

For tonight, I am posing a VERY SIMPLE question and I would like COMMENTS!  Pretend that you have not grown up in the church.  For those that haven't, this may be easy and I encourage your comments as well!  Try to take all your pre-conceived notions of the church away for this...

WHY would you choose to start going to a church?

Both BSM and Arch Street are at a point where they are examining what Christian fellowship means and how it can be enacted.  There is some hesitancy to this because both are founded on the deep theological assertion that the faith community is not built for church members in themselves, but for purposes of living out the radical gospel in the world to serve others.  How do these two relate?  I'm not going to say any more because I am curious to here thoughts from those of you who read this blog.  We are created for conversation, not lectures!

So think of that question and answer in the comment section...NOW!

Also, as I have mentioned earlier, I encourage you to join an online conversation at The Church Is Alive.  This week, Carol Howard Merritt wrote an excellent post on this very subject I bring up this evening.  I encourage you to check it out!  That is, after you answer my question!

peace,
mike

Motley Order

I just returned from our staff retreat at a Quaker retreat center!  I had a wonderful time getting to know the staff better.  We all returned with a new energy that will hopefully carry us well into this week!

I also played guitar and sang with the "Motley Order" choir, which was a great experience!  My visions and understanding of worship music has already been greatly altered from participation in this group.  Like many things at Broad Street, there is a great emphasis on the fact that everyone is a child of God and has gifts to share.  Beyond this, the choir music attempts to serve the great diversity of Broad Street with many different types of music.  Included in this are secular songs that help to interpret the meaning of the message for that particular week.  I've always been somewhat lukewarm about this, but seeing it done effectively and in a meaningful way is pretty convincing!  This is a song we did this week:

I'll reflect on more of this later.  I do what to direct you all to another project known as "the church is alive." We've been working hard on this website, with a goal to create deeper connectivity and communication within the church.  I did a posting today, taking from several of my posts on this blog.  Check it out and join the conversation!  There will be a chance soon for all people to participate in writing blog posts on this site as well.  Check it out and join the conversation!