James posted this response to Tuesday’s blog
Do you want to say more about the transition from just doing a really good job of doing church to living missionally with the unchurched? That is a journey I need to take.
Here’s the best I can do for a response right now, though I know that there are many of you out there who could answer with much more wisdom, experience, and practical insight.
The transition from being good church people to being whatever you want to call us now took a strong willingness to slow down our life, take a step out from normalacy, and a willingness to change our posture.
Slowing down is important because it’s near impossible to see God within our family if we’re too busy let alone see him at work in my neighbor. Stepping out of whatever I consider to be normal for myself is important because we won’t meet people who need Jesus by hanging out in our same circles (this is more true for paid ministerial staff and life long churchy folks). And our posture is crucially important because it, more than most else, shows people how we’re different. My experience at my local coffee shop is a perfect one. I was there for a month before I ever got to know a soul (aside from one barista who was a Christian). I would go in, order my coffee, and go to the secluded part of the shop where I was nearly in a room by myself, and then I’d plant my face in a book or computer for three hours. Eventually I realized that I needed to step out. So I started sitting in the front area where I was constantly getting distracted by people coming in and out. Then I started changing my posture. I faced the door, I looked up showed that I was paying attention when I was eavsdropping into someone elses conversation. Then, finally, I started interupting and making myself a part of the dialogue. After doing those few things I found it near impossible to get any “work” done because I knew too many people, there was too much going on, and I’d spend a whole morning talking to strangers. It also challenged me as someone who loves to accomplish things. I had to decide to give up some things, to not acomplish some things, and to not be nearly as productive.
So here’s a whole pile of unsorted thoughts…The reality is that the only people that work according to our scheduled work times are the “good churchy folks”. Everyone else doesn’t give a damn about the fact that you’re supposed to go to church on Sundays, be a part of a small group on Wednesdays, etc. It took a willingness to sacrifice more of our time than we desired because opportunities to spend time with people who need Jesus did not happen planned out or at easy moments. Inevitably it was when we were rushing and trying to get our house clean for our home community that a valuable conversation happened with a neighbor. And it’s not that four years ago I wouldn’t have been willing to have a conversation with my neighbor (shoot I would have been ecstatic to be able to talk to my neighbors!) rather four years ago I wouldn’t have stopped cleaning the house to go get the mail when I saw my neighbor chilin’ outside. Four years ago I wouldn’t have stepped out in order to meet that person.
I don’t know if any of this has helped or clarified. If I had to narrow it down to the single greatest challenge to all of this as a minister it would be the idea of redefining success. Programs look better, they fill newsletters better, they often create more buzz and excitement but for the most part they are not the type of success that we’re called to achieve (that last line doesn’t sit with me well ’cause it feels like it’s describing peoples spiritual journey as a measure of my success…which it is not! I hope y’all understand what I’m getting at with that line.) You end up feeling like you might be wasting your time a lot ’cause your not being productive. But my guess is that in the beginning it will feel like more of a choice that by the end will become second nature.
Anyone else have wisdom greater than my own that they’d like to share?
What an exciting gift it is to be able to journey with Jesus in all of this.
peace.
Two thoughts:
1) Highlighting "slowing down" as an important part of your transition (whatever that means) was pretty prophetic for me. I'm not sure if it connects, but I had a prof at George Fox who said one of the most important aspects to observing Sabbath is that it creates space for you to be interrupted. It's what the religious leaders miss when they get pissed about Jesus healing on the Sabbath. Sabbath is not merely a day to rest, it is a day for healing. Our own healing and, more importantly, the healing of the world. While I'm crappy at practicing it, I really like that notion and your life is a witness to that. If people are going to be more than a commodity to us (something that serves me or helps me accomplish some goal), we need to make space in our lives. That's some good stuff, Ryan.
2) We were introduced to a really cool spiritual practice a few months ago. It's called "Dwelling in the World." It begins with a meditative reading of Luke 10:1-12. This text is where Jesus sends out the 72 to the towns and places he was about to go. He tells them to extend peace to strangers and stay with those people who share in your peace. Anyway, this spiritual practice begins with a slow reading of that text. Next, you list every stranger you encountered in the last few days (waiters/waitresses, baristas, clerks, neighbors, etc.). Then you reflect on the following questions: 1) Did I find people of peace? 2) What might the Holy Spirit have been doing? 3)What might God be calling me to do?
It is a very cool practice that helps reframe how you interact with people. Your post made me think of it and so I thought I'd share it.