Love this. As a pastor and a spiritual director / formation retreat leader I find myself constantly walking between the two worlds you describe. My work at the reatreat center is building the "fire pit" kind of community which I love, but trying to help church people catch that vision for their community has been nearly impossible.
I love how you frame this struggle through the neurological lens of what happens when we live in overload. That's a very helpful way of looking at it.
I hear you, Craig! What you’re saying about the reality for spiritual leaders is so true. More may be needed as a strategy, but I know this is true: The first domino that has to fall for this wholesale change is in my own heart. I have to choose to embrace the ‘fire pit’ and all its benefits, allowing the allure of the stage to fade away. That hasn’t been an easy journey for me. However, as I gain more freedom in this way of being a spiritual guide, I see others starting to accept and embrace this new way of being a church.
For the past five years, we have been a part of a house church. We’ve rotated between five homes sitting in the living rooms of the hosts. We’ve shared life and meals together and lingered with the Lord and with each other.
One year ago, this coming Sunday, my husband and I accepted the lead role to oversee what we now call
The Living Room Gathering.
A friend wrote this poem for our gatherings.
“The Living Room is a holy place where we come to seek Your Face.
Your Spirit hovers, Your breath is sweet;
You call us beloved, and we love to meet.
Hear our praise, hear our prayers.
Dry our tears and calm our fears.
Savior, Shepherd, Warrior King to You, we offer everything.”
This has been a precious time gathering each week where we linger in His presence, receive Communion, worship and pray, be encouraged through the Word and where the children are included in the living room. 💖 1 Corinthians 14:26
Thank you for sharing your experience Miriam. It brought back memories of many years ago my husband and I also belonged to a group in our community as you described. But through the years folks either moved or passed away and we lost what we had. Your story reminded me of how much I miss it.
Last year, we had a transition where the two leader couples decided to return to traditional church for their children. Transitions are hard. We cannot imagine doing church any other way unless God would lead us too.
I love fact you and your community are trying out a different expression of Christian community. The question of how to incorporate children is always challenging with what your group is trying in your living rooms. Maybe some of The Compass community have some ideas on what works for children in smaller, base communities that meet in homes. Please add your suggestions and experiences.
Love this. As a pastor and a spiritual director / formation retreat leader I find myself constantly walking between the two worlds you describe. My work at the reatreat center is building the "fire pit" kind of community which I love, but trying to help church people catch that vision for their community has been nearly impossible.
I love how you frame this struggle through the neurological lens of what happens when we live in overload. That's a very helpful way of looking at it.
I hear you, Craig! What you’re saying about the reality for spiritual leaders is so true. More may be needed as a strategy, but I know this is true: The first domino that has to fall for this wholesale change is in my own heart. I have to choose to embrace the ‘fire pit’ and all its benefits, allowing the allure of the stage to fade away. That hasn’t been an easy journey for me. However, as I gain more freedom in this way of being a spiritual guide, I see others starting to accept and embrace this new way of being a church.
For the past five years, we have been a part of a house church. We’ve rotated between five homes sitting in the living rooms of the hosts. We’ve shared life and meals together and lingered with the Lord and with each other.
One year ago, this coming Sunday, my husband and I accepted the lead role to oversee what we now call
The Living Room Gathering.
A friend wrote this poem for our gatherings.
“The Living Room is a holy place where we come to seek Your Face.
Your Spirit hovers, Your breath is sweet;
You call us beloved, and we love to meet.
Hear our praise, hear our prayers.
Dry our tears and calm our fears.
Savior, Shepherd, Warrior King to You, we offer everything.”
This has been a precious time gathering each week where we linger in His presence, receive Communion, worship and pray, be encouraged through the Word and where the children are included in the living room. 💖 1 Corinthians 14:26
Selah
Thank you for sharing your experience Miriam. It brought back memories of many years ago my husband and I also belonged to a group in our community as you described. But through the years folks either moved or passed away and we lost what we had. Your story reminded me of how much I miss it.
Last year, we had a transition where the two leader couples decided to return to traditional church for their children. Transitions are hard. We cannot imagine doing church any other way unless God would lead us too.
I love fact you and your community are trying out a different expression of Christian community. The question of how to incorporate children is always challenging with what your group is trying in your living rooms. Maybe some of The Compass community have some ideas on what works for children in smaller, base communities that meet in homes. Please add your suggestions and experiences.