"If your wondering when Mayhem is going to start, it already did about three hours ago," said Chris Marshall one of the event coordinators.  It started the moment you walked in the door. You experienced this event the moment you started your first conversation.  It gained momentum while we ate a common meal together.  From the beginning it wasn't about an event, conference, or seminar.  It was about relationships.  Relationships that would invoke feelings as well as affirmations declaring that "You are not alone." 

I remember the first time I recall seeing any type of advertisement for Mayhem, it was while reading a blog by Kevin Rains.  It wasn't a flashy, logo driven, mass marketed ad.  It was merely a small box with the words, "You're not alone" and the dates of the event.  When I read those simple words I knew that I needed to be there.  There was someone else that maybe was thinking about or even doing what I've been wrestling with inside.

It was Friday morning the 9th of January and I got up and told myself to go.  I argued with my insecurities telling myself that no one knows you, you won't fit in, you don't even know what you are getting yourself into, you are grasping for straws.  Until finally I decided to take a risk.  After all, what do I have to loose?
 
Eight hours later I found myself glancing down at my PDA with the directions to Vineyard Central in Norwood, Ohio.  As I approach this building it appears to be an old Catholic church.  From the outside I see this incredible looking stained glass and aged architecture on this old neighborhood parish.  As I enter this work of art I'm invited in by the smell of coffee and the illumination of candles everywhere.  It's obvious that I'm not the first to arrive as all around this once sacred room are conversations taking place.

Shortly after my arrival we participate together in a common meal, not only eating and drinking, but conversations too. It wasn't until about three hours into the event that Brian McLaren from Maryland stood to address this group of men and women involved in this Mayhem that we find ourselves in.  Brian began his discussion with a song and started the conversation off with an observation by Wendell Berry.  "We humans live on three levels: as individuals; individuals who live in communities; and communities linked together in a larger entity called a public.  Humans have lived this way for thousands of years."

McLaren went on to say that we live in a time when the public is gaining more and more power.  Through media the public can now communicate to the individual.  Due to this rise in power by public enities we are seeing and experiencing the breakdown of those communities.  It's in these communities where you learn to become moral.  It's when you leave these places of community that there is absence of accountability thus the breakdown in the individual.  Brian stated that, "Part of the story of the spread of AIDS is about the breakdown of community."

Brian reiterated that the kingdom of God is not a public.  The kingdom of God is where authentic community flourishes and excels.  It's the story that brings together people who would not associate with each other because of race, class, or affinity.  He concluded that a community isn't just individuals and the entity of the community needs to be cared for.  They are not working against each other, but they both need to be taken care of.

Friday night came to a close with worship led by Beth Keck of Idaho and conversations that spilled over into the early morning.

Saturday morning came sooner than I wanted it to, however there was a real excitement about building relationships and continuing conversations with others that have embarked upon this similar journey.  We began with a time of worship and reflection as preparation for the events of the day.  Shortly before 10:00 the schedule of the day was mapped out for all of us.  There would AM and PM round tables.  Discussions that included:

· What does vocation mean in your context?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of paid versus unpaid ministry?
· Prayer and personal ministry
· Evangelism: if you don't do it, why you all will go to hell.
· Creating community for relational mutts
· New monasticism
· What does the kingdom of God being present mean?
· The Holy Spirit in the emerging church
· Living with others in community
· Sex in marriage

The general session with Brian McLaren developed around the idea of monastic, missional, urban, and catholic communities.  Monastic community is a group who gather around shared spiritual practices, practices of reconciliation, fellowship and meals. It's a group of individuals that are built around spirituality rather than just doctrine, with an atmosphere where spirituality is a part of daily life.

Missional communities are motivated by the gospel, which is the Kingdom of God.  The Kingdom of God is the reign and rule of God.  Missional communities are communities whose purpose is the advancement of the gospel.

Brian continues to describe urban and catholic communities. The word catholic not meaning Roman Catholic, but catholic meaning universal.  Brian's desire is what catholic comes to mean in the world is "post-protestant," the ability to honor the church in all its forms. Brian brings his presentation to a conclusion with a true definition of community and its enemies.  We stand to our feet and close this session with a song that we have begun and ended with in every session.

Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory in the Highest
To God be the glory forever
Hallelujah Amen,  Hallelujah Amen,  Hallelujah Amen, Hallelujah Amen

While the formality of Mayhem has ended, the momentum has really just begun.  Relationships that have been maintained and new ones that have been made continue to remind all of us, "You're not alone."