On a recent trip to the USA I had the opportunity to attend two events on the emerging church calendar. The first in Eagle Idaho, hosted by ALLELON, the second was an event held in Ventura, California called SOLITON SESSIONS. Both events were very contrasting in style and content but there was a common desire and passions coming from both... a love for God and a love for his people.

The Eagle event, called Missional Church Forum, was promoted as a discussion on what it means to be missional. An event, not focusing on experts tell the participants "HOW TO...", but rather, the agenda was being driven by the participants. The speakers or facilitators were Alan Roxburgh, George Hunsberger, Todd Hunter, Inagrace Dietterich and Gary Waller. Much of the event was focused on roundtable discussions on Leadership, Children, and Spiritual Formation all with an emphasis on a missional approach to Church as a community of faith.

I have come to realize that word "missional" has become another catch word that has many different meanings which was evident in the very eclectic mix of participants. From small communities to larger churches, those planting churches and those who are part of a team or just those who were wanting to find out more about a missional approach to Church life.

The highlight, as has often been the case at events that I have attended, has been reconnecting with friends I have met previously, like Andrew Wallis my friend from the Mother Land (the UK), and meeting new friends like Len Hjalmarson. Also, no trip to Eagle Idaho would be complete without a visit to the Keck household on a Thursday evening for beer and poker.

While the content of the event was good and thought provoking, what did capture my imagination was what the team, who call themselves The Landing Community, in Eagle, is doing with an old Church on Eagle Road, and the Old Fire Station behind in State Street. The Church is being turned into a coffee shop / art gallery, where some of the event was held in the main part of the Church. The old fire station has been turned into a multi purpose community center, where there are dance classes, an art studio, a youth center in the back section and a food bank is being established. The paint was still drying on the coffee shop and community center while I was there and should be now open for business.

This approach to interacting with the community is common with many church community groups, yet what I do find unique is the overwhelming response from the Eagle town community wanting to participate. From the town council, assisting in the community center, to the Boise Art Society wanting to use the gallery. There have also been offers from the business community to assist with material and support in whatever way is needed.

I believe the response has been due to the fact of The Landing Church Community’s approach to the wider Eagle Community. Saying, “How can we serve you?”, then providing the resources that are needed, rather than saying “come and help us”, therefore, positioning themselves to be salt and light in Eagle, Idaho.

After my time in Idaho, I headed to Newport Beach where it appeared half of Orange County was also there for the Labor Day weekend, the busiest time in Newport marking the end of Summer. There it was good to meet 2 Kiwi’s (New Zealanders) both called Dave, from Youth For Christ, who came to check out THEOOZE. After a short stay at Newport Beach I hitched a ride with Spencer Burke to Ventura, 1 hour north of Los Angeles.

There the Bridge Community held the 2nd annual Soliton Sessions. I realized this was to be an event different to many others when as I registered, a temporary tattoo was applied... a precursor to what could have been the real thing.

The second thing I noticed about the venue was its very clear focus on the arts, walking into the main room I was overwhelmed by the art work hanging around the walls, lighting, and warmth of the main room. The team at The Bridge community also had a focus on music and video with a number of screens throughout the room. They were also ready with WIFI (wireless internet access) throughout the building so participants could blog, surf, and check emails at anytime throughout the 4 days.

The strong emphasis on this event was the expression of spirituality through the arts in church life. Looking at ways to encourage and foster and promote it within Church communities. There was opportunity given to paint, draw, sculpt with modeling clay and for the brave a couple of local tattooist came so participants could get some body art done.

Some of the speakers included Spencer Burke, Doug Paggitt, David Ruis, Erwin McManus and artists Jeremy & Jamie Wells who painted a beautiful portrait of The Woman Caught in Adultery, during the 4 days. Then to everyone’s surprise began cutting it up into small squares, giving a piece to each person and then asking them to stitch it back together in whatever way they chose. As the last piece way stitched it place it was clear this was not going to look anything like the original painting but it took on a new form, a mosaic of color. It was very evident this style of the event was not done because it was trendy or because this is what you do to be postmodern. It was an expression of the people that gathered at The Bridge, genuine loving people who used art to express themselves.

The Bridge is not just an artistic community that gathers together, but a group of people who have a love for the poor and marginalized. Ventura, like many part of the USA has a large number of homeless people living right near the Church’s doorstep. And they were welcomed into the event along with everyone else. They are homeless, they are poor and they are a part of The Bridge.

 Hats off to Greg and the team at The Bridge who put on the events and who have also inspired me to continue walking the road of life learning what it means to be a people of God for the sake of this world.

While this trip was encouraging, I am reminded that this is what God has called these groups to do… It can be easy to get swept up in the excitement and think I need to build a community center like The Landing or I need to create an environment like The Bridge. What I do need to do is say "God continue to light my path so I am can see where you are leading me."

Malcolm ... i like your conclusion but most of all am jealous of the beer and poker night you enjoyed during your trip... btw we have made sunday nights and wed at noon beer and poker times here in the great black swamp of nw ohio ... its a great thing to hear my wife tammy laugh when she gets a great card on the river and take down a big pot ...
--Shok ( shokthegerman at gmail dot com ) on 10/10/2004; 7:57:09 AM