this is our next
step: to name our vision and mission.
recently, I've
been reading Phyllis Tickle's "Emergence Christianity", in it
she gives this movement a history, first naming the reformation pattern and
showing how that pattern appears to be currently in motion. in her describing our
current "semi-millenial tsunami of change" she writes, “we are
citizens living within the great emergence, and as Christians of whatever
stripe, we are watching the formation of a new presentation of the faith” (p.
28), and declares, “we can be its passive medium or its active architects” (p. 23).
i like that: “active architects.”
now, there are many different kinds of architects and
architecture. the world has its Zaha Hadids and Santiago Calatravas, but
it also has its Ricks
and the over 1.5 million people of Orangi Town. these stories
make me wonder what each architect would say when asked about their motivations
for building. some might say “art” while others “survival,” and in between
there would be countless more reasons. some have access to any and all
resources, while others have what they can manage to find.
so, back to the point at hand: if we choose to be active
architects in this religio-cultural revolution, what kind of architects are we?
what are we building, and why? and from where do we gather our resources for
this work?
just as there are many kinds of architecture – I mean look out at
your neighborhood! – there are also many kinds of Christianity, and many kinds of
faith traditions, and many kinds of belief and unbelief in God.
so it is important that we define who we are in all of this. and I’m
a big believer in integrity, so in this project, I’m not looking to build a
funky façade to draw people into the same old, close-minded, set-in-our-ways,
faith community.
instead, let’s build together a shelter for hope, a place where we
can do justice, and from which we can draw our strength, but also a place to
bring our vulnerabilities, a place where we can stand sure, but also where we
can question, and let the walls be willing and flexible, like the walls of our
hearts, created to be opened and eased wider and wider so that many might feel
at home there, but also challenged to make the whole world a home.
so, think about it. pray about it long and hard. take your time,
and follow your spirit wherever it might flow.
what kind of architect are you?
what are you building, and why?
where do you gather your resources ?
engage with me.
