The underwhelming nature of the church I serve.

The world has a fascination with the next big thing.  We are enthralled by size, power and explosions metaphorical and real.  The church is the same way, especially those of us in the church already.

A good example of this is  Mission Bay Community Church, where I serve as the pastor.  Because we are an NCD - Presbyterianese for Church Plant - with some street cred in terms of of being urban, Presbyterian and younger, we are often lifted up - justified or not - as a church to see.  We often get lookyloos on Sunday AM that have heard of us and want to check us out.  They are usually from seminaries, people on vacation, and the occasional pastor looking for new ideas.  That's cool.  If we can help spark some conversations and/or questions for other folks, I'm down with that.  We have no territory issues here.  The odd thing is that the biggest reaction we get from people who are "observing" the animal known as MBCC, is that they basically, say "Huh, it's just a church."  And while most people are pretty positive about this, there is also the occasional, "Well, that's not all that big of a deal."  Both reaction are cool.  One, we never claimed to be anything more than a church and two, see number one.  All we have ever claimed to be is a church.  I think a special place should you choose to engage, but nevertheless, just a church.

I can soooooo live with that.

Comments

[Philip]

Bruce,

I get that comoment a lot from "old timers" (not necessarily and age distinction)who assume that to be growing, hip, cutting edge or whatever you call it that it has to be somewhat strange, wierd or just plain crazy. We always had that "tag" as well and probably disspointed quite a few when they realized we really weren't that different. It was more of an attitude we had than anything radical we did.

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

Yeah, I think it is a good thing, but it also says a great deal about those who are surprised. I think it is hard to see churches with some energy as "just a church" because that refects on the nature of the churches that are NOT vibrant. It means that is it NOT about the bells and whistles, but about the community. Whodathunkit?

[David Bower]

Bruce,

I've never attended your church. In fact, the closest I ever got to it was catching a connecting flight at the SF Airport. It sounds "cool," or as we boomers would have said 40 years ago, "groovy." I'm an old fart trying to learn new things. I pastor a growing multicultural congregation near DC. I'm learning how to incorporate all kinds of things into the worship service. I hope people come away from us saying Wow! That really is a church!" rather than "Oh well, it's just a church." I'm not as techno savvy as a lot of people but I do rely heavily on e-mail and the web. Hopefully someday my wife Sandy and I can attend one of your services. I'd just like to sit down with you over a good (cheap!) cup of coffee -I don't do the Starbucks thing. I did hear you speak at a Transformation Conference in Vegas a couple of years ago. Ya done good!

Forgive the ramblings of a once angry youg man who has become a grumpy old fart.

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

DAvid - I am going to be in DC next week (25-27) at an event at NY Avenue. Do you know Tara Spuhler McCabe? Might be some free time to grab coffee as well.

[David Bower]

Bruce,

April 25 & 26 I'll be involved with Gay Reece's thing for our presbytery. Sunday the 27th is wall-to-wall. Dang! Maybe when your're on one of your moderatorial tours.

David