If I was an outsider looking in on All Souls, I'd be waiting for that moment.
Sure the parties are fun, but what comes next? Sure that post on Jesus and Pot is interesting, but when the rubber meets the road, what's it really going to look like? Sure we've got a vision for community that is open to everyone, regardless of where they are (or aren't) spiritually, but how's that actually going to pan out? After all, aren't we here to start another church, and isn't that just adding to the problem?
When are we going to see your real colors, guys? When you start holding services, or talking about Scripture, what's the 'real you' going to look like?
Yep. If I was on the outside looking in, that's the question I'd be asking.
So here's your answer. Or at least, a glimpse of an answer, a taste of where things are going. To share it, we'd like to introduce you to our good friend Tim Keller. Now, it's true we don't actually know him personally; nevertheless, we consider him our pal because of the difference he's made in our lives - in how we think about church, community, tolerance, and most importantly, about the gospel.
If you really want the dirt on us, Keller will help you uncover it. I can't guarantee we'll ever say it as well as he does, or measure up to his ministry, but he's the best example I have in terms of what we're aiming for, how we understand Jesus, what we hope to accomplish. If you want to see where we're going, this is the place to start.
[Warning up front: it might be a little scary, especially to folks who feel comfortable in their spirituality. Heck, it still scares me, and I'm a fan...]
So here's the invitation. Grab a good cup of coffee or a nice cold beer, find a comfortable chair, and listen to Keller's thoughts on The Community of Jesus.
This is Tim interacting with Jesus' most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, from Luke 6:12-36 (available here if you don't have a copy of the Bible handy), and I think he nails Jesus' message: contrary to popular opinion, it's not primarily ethical (what we need to do); instead, it's focusing on what Christ himself has already done, and how that transforms us (individually, but also as a community).
If you want to understand what drives us, this is a "must listen."
And that brings us to a second invitation. We'd actually like to hear what you think about this stuff. Agree, disagree - we're interested in it all. So much so that in the coming weeks we're going to start creating some opportunities for you to ask questions and say what you think. Some of it will happen in person, but much will take place in an online forum.
And the one thing that will make it work - kind of like the Sunday Soundoffs - is real diversity of opinion. That's why we actually want your feedback, regardless of where you are spiritually.
So here's the deal. Anyone is welcome to participate - whether you're a follower of Christ or not - but you need to ask if you'd like to have access. You can say as little or as much as you'd like. Any question is fair game. And we'll never try to "convert you" - our job is just to be honest and upfront, to explain where we're coming from and why, so that you can make up your own mind.
If you really want to see where things are going from here, this is the place to be, and Keller's comments are a great place to start.
So go ahead, take a look at the man behind the curtain. And then tell us what you think. We're looking forward to some fascinating conversations...
