Chapter 3 of Mark Scandrette's book 'Practicing the Way of Jesus' is on creating space for shared practices. He begins with this great little bit on p. 40...
Museums preserve the history of a nation or civilization, displaying the best achievements of artists and artisans over the decades, centuries or millenniums. I've always been fascinated by the contrast between the order and prestige of museums - where works of art are displayed in rooms gleaming with marble and stationed with security guards - and the places where most artwork is made: in dingy warehouses in low-rent districts, in studios splattered with paint or piled with debris. The most important visitor to the museum is not the patron or connoisseur, but the artist, in her paint-splattered pants, who comes to the museum to pay respect and be inspired by those who have gone before her. The museum preserves the long conversation about what art is, and the community of artists labor with the hope of making their contribution to this ongoing dialogue, that one day their work will be worthy of display.
For seekers of the Way, the buildings, rituals, documents and theologies of the Christian tradition serve as a rich museum that inspires our efforts to practice the way of Jesus. They remind us that we are part of an unfolding story and an ongoing conversation about what it means to live as "children of light" (John 12:36) in our time and place. But we don't live in museums. The place where we create our "art" isn't in the clean and well-ordered world of books, historic institutions or even public gatherings, but in the grit and messiness of daily life and in our relationships with one another. The question for us is, how will we act courageously together to make our contribution to this unfolding story?
Wow. I read that the other day, and even now, as I type it... I just have to stop for a minute. That is SOME DEEP STUFF right there...
It's interesting on the one hand, because, Jane and I just volunteered ourselves to re-paint the entryway into our church meeting space. Now, mind you, our building is a warehouse, and more of a concert hall than a traditional church building (actually, it IS a concert hall). However, the intent was to make it more presentable on Sunday mornings for "church."
When I read this, though, it doesn't make me think that "church" or meeting together on Sundays is wrong. Much like going to a museum... there is much to be learned from the experience. Yet, at the same time, perhaps what causes so much grief in the world of church-goers is... that's where we expect to make our "art."
Jane and I were just talking last night about how much of a struggle church is anymore. Maybe we are looking for answers in the wrong place. We're looking for something to be happening "in the church" that should actually be being done outside of Sunday... IN OUR DAILY LIVES!
And... I know... Yes, we are tired too. We don't seem to have enough time. We go to work, come home, eat and go to bed. So... somewhere in there is the problem. I'm just not sure Sunday morning is where it's at (the problem, or the answer).
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I have long thought (and probably said), our Sunday gatherings should be way simpler than most of them are. Just get together, tell some stories about our gains and failures, try to encourage one another (spur one another on), read some scripture, sing some songs, pray, maybe break bread together... and that's all it really needs to be.
Isn't it true that most of us "Christians" expect a few people (paid and/or volunteers) to go to great lengths in order to inspire us one morning a week, so we can then not have to think about it for the remaining 6 1/2 days, and we want to think of that as our "walk of faith?"
Honestly, I'm not talking to anyone else. I do it! And I don't say this to make myself or anyone else feel bad. It's not about feeling bad... it's about missing the point! Or, as the old definition of "sin" goes... missing the mark.
Forgive me, Father, for I am unfocused. I still want to enjoy the museum, but I need to make more art.
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