Sunday, October 15, 2006

The River Street Revival Tent Meeting


With the business of the A29 Bootcamp happening this week, I had forgotten I wanted to chat a little about last weekend's River Street activities.

We talk alot in church circles about being missional. We create committees specifically designed to plan events within the walls of the church that will draw in non-Christ followers. If we have guts, we even try to get out on "the streets" and share the "good news". But I have often tried to picture what it would look like to reflect Christ in culture, without watering it down or freaking them out with our agenda. And how do we get them into the church, speaking their language, creating opportunities for conversation (which leads to releationship, which leads to trust, which leads to influence, which leads to conversion and discipleship)?

Last weekend I got a glimpse of it. On Saturday, Oct. 7, local artists put on a fashion show extravaganza at Revolution Hall called "Trashion". The purpose was to bring together artists, musicians, and fashion designers and raise money for local galleries. Two bands were booked for it: Ten Minute Turns (from Brooklyn) and Hundred Monkey Theory (from Albany). [Now let me just interject that this is not a moment to promote my band. I would've felt this way had it been any band playing relevent music, while at the same time reflecting God.] As I stood on the same stage at RH that we lead worship from every Sunday, and played to 650 people, most of whom do not know Christ, I got thinking. They don't seem to mind us. They are paying close attention to our performance, yet aren't leaving with their Newcastle. Instead, they seemed quite engaged.

As Patty sang...

"Break my heart until I know I’m not my own Remake me into the image of Your Son Oh break me, remake me I want You I need You"

...they pressed in even more. Did they realize they were experiencing people passionately worshipping the creator of the universe?

Three doors down, at the same time as Trashion, Terra Nova Gallery was hosting their first Art Opening, complete with wine, cheese, and live music. Three local photographers (non of which happened to be Christians) showed their work as 200 locals passed through our little lobby and lounge. With Terra pastors and members circulating throughout the evening, many reported back spiritual conversations, most of which began with, "What is this place? Is it more than just a gallery? A church???".

So, I am beginning to see what it could look like for the Church to go into culture, clearly communicating God's truth in a passionate, artistic way. While also seeing the culture step through the doors of the Church, being spoken to in their own language, with no agenda other than to appreciate and support local art and those that make it.

It won't look that way for every church. We just played the cards we were dealt. But it's a start.....