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richard
logan
lead
pastor
www.mapleridgechurch.net
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? The
first key element that comes to mind is to not idolatrize
postmodernity…yes we live is a postmodern age but I don’t
think that planting a
church in this age is about figuring out what is relevant to the
culture and trying to get “them” to like us or think we’re
cool.
Honestly, it seems that the key elements today aren’t
much different than down through the ages.
I think the main thing is getting to know Jesus better
together in order to imitate him and see our lives, neighborhoods,
and world change as a result.
I think it’s key to keep Jesus at the center, be real, and
be incarnational as a body of believers… engaging culture, and
getting involved in the lives of those we are in proximity to, in
order to be a blessing and make our neighborhoods and city a
better place to live in.
2.
What do you see as the four (because three is too traditional)
differences between the community of faith you are serving and
those churches in your area?
This is kind of a weird
question. We don’t
want to think we are “all that”, or have arrived with the
“right way” of being the Church and everyone else is wrong,
but I guess it would probably be fair to say there are some things
that are a little different about us…
1.
Dialogue vs. Monologue…on Sunday morning when we meet, it tends
to lend itself more to a conversation than a sermon
2.
We’re comfortable using art as an expression of worship to our
Creator God
3.
People feel free to come as they are spiritually and physically
speaking…no one’s expected to act or dress like they’ve got
it altogether
4.
We’re not all about programs…still figuring this out, but we
don’t think the church should replace the family nor should it
relinquish parents of their responsibility to spiritually raise
their children. It
just seems that the more programs a church has, the less time
people are actually spending out where they live being a blessing
and sharing life.
3.
Is the community you serve connected with a denomination? If
"yes," what do you see as the benefits and problems with
that relationship, and if "no," what do you believe are
the benefits and problems without being connected?
Yeah, we are connected with the
Christian and Missionary Alliance.
We don’t really make a deal out of our denomination, we
do receive a subsidy from them that is a finite amount…which is
cool; and the support from them with what we are doing is
amazing…so those are the benefits. As for problems, the problem is just with me…as
hypocritical as this is going to sound…I’m just not a huge fan
of denominations. But
I am grateful for the support!
4.
What would you say are the two hardest things connected to
planting an emerging/postmodern community of faith?
The commitment to grow
organically/naturally…rather than through attractional-style
ministry…it’s actually incredibly rewarding…the only hard
thing about it is external expectations that a healthy American
church grows fast.
The second thing would be finances…because of this
commitment it seems that it will take longer to become financially
“independent” as a church.
5.
How does your community of faith develop connections with those
outside the community?
We strive for the primary way
to be through relationships…looking at who we are naturally in
proximity to whether that is a barista you see once a week, a
neighbor, the person that sits next to you in class everyday or in
the opposite cubicle. Striking
up a conversation and listening, listening, listening and sharing
life. The secondary
way would be serving the city and the people in it through
volunteerism.
6.
What do you believe are the key elements in an emerging/postmodern
worship service?
This is where that idolatrizing
of postmodernity can rear its ugly head…it’s really not about
vibe, or atmosphere, or images, or art…Honestly, I think the key
element has got to be expecting to encounter God, keeping him at
the center and celebrating what he’s done in our lives over the
past week, making sure to not put the emphasis on the gathering or
the service.
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?
Call us…we have all the
answers! Just
kidding…#1 I would say pray like crazy and, #2 really focus on
how to make west Omaha a better place to live in because your
community of faith is there and let’s do it together.
Any
closing thoughts you would like to share?
The
final thought is really for me, but I’ll say it out loud:
Don’t
look for shortcuts, formulas, or sure-fire plans…don’t try and
copy another ministry, or some other pastor who happens to have
written a book, has a seminar, or something to sell.
Just say no to Christian celebrity-ism…and get away
regularly to be quite, and re-fall in love with Jesus…hear his
voice and obey him.
A
few weeks ago someone spoke up and shared a quote with us on a
Sunday morning that I think is worthy of being shared here.
The quote came from a Wycliffe missionary named Jim Walton
as an exhortation to this person upon graduating from High School,
and this is what Jim said:
“There
is never a pauperism of the attractive, the easy, or the
appealing. Much of
Christendom follows only a step behind the world’s philosophies,
trends and fads. Reach
beyond the quick, easy, simple, superficial formulas for
spirituality. Don’t
indulge the fads. Carry
great philosophers lightly. Journey
briefly with great theologians.
Spend your energies and your life getting to know the
greatness of the Triune God.”
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