michael chapman
by: John O'Keefe
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1. planting a church in an emerging/postmodern culture, what do you think are the key elements of a community of faith in an emerging/postmodern culture?
2. what do you see as the four differences (because three is too traditional) between the community of faith you are serving, and those churches in your community
The four I have are all inter-connected: 1) we are more casual than formal (the way we dress; using more conversation than proclamation, etc.); 2) we are more inclusive than exclusive (more accepting than judging or criticizing) 3) we are more responsive than non-responsive (we morph); and 4) we are more dynamic than static (we are out doing the mission). If one looks closely, one can easily see how they all contribute to authenticity, and that they are all actually elements necessary for healthy relationship building. Healthy relationships are two-way, not one-way, where both parties respect and listen to one another, and are genuinely made better by the relationship. I think you have to work hard to prove to people that what they say matters by giving them a voice, practicing proactive listening, and by actually morphing. As for comparisons to traditional churches in our area, occasionally I run across language in emergent conversations that say we mustn’t be “negative” by defining who we are against what we aren’t. I don’t see that as being negative—rather the opposite. To point out real differences that make a difference, if done right, is not “bashing,” quite to the contrary, it is educating.
where and when do you meet?
Our connection groups meet in homes during the week. We teach and treat this as the “purest” form of church. This is where church is really done—and I mean church as a verb, not a noun. Then on Sunday mornings we all meet together for worship and together time. There are also our missional service projects that we do out in the community where of course we are together working and serving.
What happens at your gatherings?
A wide variety of things happen. Two other co-pastors and I share speaking duties, which I think is a plus. We avoid ruts and burnout this way, and it helps keep things fresh. As for what happens, in one gathering we may be doing a kind of spiritual formation thing with low light, candles and deep introspection on what it means personally to be a “recipient of deep grace.” The next we may be doing a teaching, complete with handouts, on the subject of “failing forward.” We may view certain scenes from movies such as Bruce Almighty, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Last of the Mohicans, The Green Mile, or Chocolat - and then discuss the God themes within the scenes. We rarely lecture. Of course there is a variety of singing, and drama, and art, sharing experiences or prayer needs; we lay on hands, anoint, and pray for people as needed. There is scripture reading, prayer, praise, holy communion, poetry, and gifts and offerings, etc. Once a month we take to the outdoors for Adventure Church -- last month we went sea kayaking, this month is rappelling, and next month is a skydiving opportunity.
what about a worship service?
I just described it above.
what’s expected?
Connecting…Equipping…Engaging are our main verbs. We want them to connect and then connect others. We want them to be equipped, then help equip others. And we want them to get engaged and then help engage others. Connecting people to God, one another, and to themselves; equipping people for their ministry and service; and engaging the culture in order to transform it...that’s our mission statement.
3. is the community you serve connected with a denomination?
Unfortunately, we had to actually withdraw from a denomination in order to plant this faith community, which was tough. They just did not support the vision. It is a sad but real example of the ultimate clash of those within fundamentalism with those with an emergent/missional heart. I guess you could say we emerged, but it wasn’t how we wanted to. It has the disadvantage of us not having support-prayer, financial, and just general mutual cooperation and effort—you know, unity in mission. However, our radical emergence has also had positives— we are freer and less encumbered to follow what God wants us to do. As for finances—it causes us to rely more on God to provide, so opportunities to practice faith are abundant. The loss of coaches or mentors by breaking away, in my opinion, is a non factor. The truth is, in our area this smaller denomination had absolutely no one available who understood postmodern realities and our missional vision. We are doing things to counter the negatives. First, we have a team leadership approach of three co-pastors who share equally in responsibility and authority. We are also beginning to form relationships with two other similar churches in Mississippi that we can cross-pollinate with and pray for one another. We are also training up elders by re-educating them from the traditional understanding of what church is, to the emergent/missional understanding. It would be a mistake to place elders in leadership now who don’t yet fully understand the model of what they would be helping to lead.
4. what would you say are the two hardest things connected with planting an emerging/postmodern community of faith?
First of all for us, it was what this has cost us. It has been to believe in our mission strongly enough that we would drop our fishing nets and follow this Jesus fellow who said, “Follow me,” and dealing with the consequences of doing it. These included breaking our ties with our former denomination, and that isn’t just some “institution”—that is people we love, admire and have worked and “bled” with. I personally left behind a mother and a sister in that church to follow this calling, as well as many friends who don’t understand what we are doing. Those principles in the Gospels and Acts are real--we follow God not man; we “break” with members of our own household—a clear and present biblical principle; relationships truly become redefined. Who is my brother and my mother? This is a real Reformation that is causing rips, tears, and scars in the lives of real people. God bless those denominations and mothering churches who foster, birth, and support emergent communities, but sadly, that is not always going to happen. Those of us who don’t have this support have a tough road, but also a potentially very rewarding one.
We also have a great opportunity to grow our personal integrity by diving ever more deeply into prayer, fasting, and intercession. But finances have been a struggle, and we are learning to plant a church with five loaves and two fish. But I’ll also say this, whereas funds would’ve made things easier in a way—it has forced us to be more cunning, creative, innovative, and being forced to do things with excellence by using our brains rather than just buying what we needed to “slick things up.” We are actually more genuine and real for it. When you get lemons, by God’s grace you make lemonade. Secondly, patience. Ministry is tough today. Getting people on board in a new faith community is also a slow process and takes time. People are extremely busy and their interests are extremely varied—they spread their time and attention around. We are realizing it will take longer to develop a solid core than we first thought. We are learning to enjoy the process of seeing God work and people make good choices.
5. how does your community of faith develop connections with those outside your community?
I realize what this question is asking, but it actually goes much deeper. By those outside the community we recognize that we are engaging and being engaged by many realities…the unbelieving material “world”; organized religion; Satan and the kingdom of darkness; and our own false selves. At the same time, God is shaping us, disciplining us at times, and testing us. All of that is going on while we work, get kids to school, pay bills, change the oil in the car, and visit the sick in the hospital. Each of those areas, as well as others, must be recognized as real, and be engaged and dealt with on an ongoing basis. Now to address the more narrow question of how we engage those “missing” outside our community, I define “missing” as those who are not in church (dechurched and secularists) as well as people who are “affiliated” with a church but who aren’t really plugged in. Our strategy is to connect with them by using St. Patrick’s Celtic Model described by Hunter. The traditional (Roman) approach is: 1) proclamation by knowledge encounters, 2) conversion with decision based primarily upon reason, 3) assimilate into the faith community. The Celtic Model turns it upside down: 1) assimilation into community (relationship building & acceptance), 2) truth arrived at through dialogue and sharing of experiences (wisdom encounters), 3) conversion takes place (decision based primarily upon relational community & common life-view). That’s the theory, the practical part is that we do this by accepting everyone into our gatherings and fellowship, as well as getting out into the community and meeting people where they are. Accepting people is huge. As Hunter said, “Belonging comes before believing.” We also share our lives and invite others to share theirs, we don’t just sell a “gospel” product. We use innovative ministries, such as Adventure Church and KidZone, to attract people into the community. You have to get creative. We help sponsor a bike club and our logo is on the cycling jersey. We’ll sponsor a little league team—wouldn’t you like to play for a team named “Sling n’ Stone?” We also meet in homes, which most people consider “safer” than going to a church. We also go into places where they hang out, like local bars and our Riverwalk, and we talk to people, ask them survey questions about stuff. We are creating low barriers to entry. Our local mission projects also connect us to people. Finally, we use influence evangelism rather than an in-your-face-with-my-finger style, in order to transform the culture around us.
6. what do you believe are the key elements in an emerging/postmodern worship service?
I’ll name some elements: prayer, preparation, practice, praise, meeting real needs, authenticity, relevance, joining together in the sacraments, quality balanced with authenticity, clear and clean speaking (clean meaning “striking the target”), good music, creating an atmosphere for the Spirit to move without contriving it, freedom of _expression, creativity, mixing the old and the new, technology, variety…whew…which of those are more key than others?…wow…I don’t have a clue.
7. what two key areas of advice would you give to a person looking to plant a community of faith in your area, or any area?
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Do it for God and for others, not yourself and for your agenda. You must put yourself first as far as personal connecting time with God-but as for who you do it for—you must be relevant to both God and others.
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Embrace realistic expectations. The lesson of Nehemiah is a great one for building while under attack. Keep your mortar trowel in one hand and your sword in the other. Don’t be sidetracked by every insult, mischaracterization, and your motives being misunderstood. Believe me, it will come. Try to make humor a part of it…have fun and laugh. The name of our faith community is Sling n’ Stone. When we are blasted by someone we laugh and say hey, maybe we should call ourselves “sticks n’ stones!”
any closing thoughts you’d like to share?
a) Stay as positive and as upbeat as you can while remaining real. People love to be around others, especially leaders, who are cheerleaders and up lifters—who laugh and have fun. Create that climate in your church.
b) Pray and fast as you have never done before-not in a forced way or dutiful way, but in a loving, deeply committed spiritual way as a gift to God. Become fully devoted to Him, don’t just “do” devotions.
c) Don’t be afraid to risk, be bold, wild, dangerous, and adventurous! You will actually attract men and younger generations by being this way. Be "real men" friendly by how you do church!
d) Network! Get connected with other like-minded and similar faith communities.
e) Pay attention to detail…God is in the details.
f) Last but not least…believe!
pax,
michael chapman
natchez, mississippi
august 2005
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