Sunday, January 21, 2007
emerging church postcards : Aotearoa New Zealand 4
For the last 6 months Fuller St Café has gathered on the first Sunday evening each month. We have a Café set up, fresh espresso and a theme for the night. First 6 themes were Narnia movie, Cancer panel, U2, Local Jazz band Toot & Croon, Da Vinci code panel, Christmas party. It’s an experiment in planting an alternative congregation at Kaiapoi Baptist.
a helpful Scripture in the formation and life of your church community: Only Scripture I can think of at moment reflect more how I am feeling about the project now Isaiah 42:9 “See I am doing a new thing, now it springs up, do you not perceive it?” Reflecting attempt to plant something new but not feeling understood. And Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, it builders labour in vain” wondering if were on right track.
learning about spiritual formation: Not sure that the “community” has emerged yet and whether it’s just too attractional to work.
movie (or scene) might sum up your year: One movie that might describe the first 6 months is “50 first dates.” We are basically experimenting until we find a new, real and helpful way to explore faith and live life. Also I can relate to Pai in Whale Rider wrestling with leadership issues.
best mission moment in 06: Probably the cancer night where 70 people showed up. 20 of those were outside the existing KBC community and 4 in response to the ad we put in the local rag. We had a panel of brave cancer sufferers some who were in remission and others who were terminal. We asked them these questions: How did you hear the news about the cancer?; What was your reaction/ response?; The treatment what was that like?; What support did you have from others, what was helpful/ unhelpful?; Where has God been in it all? We have just lost the second of the ladies who were terminal this week please pray for her husband and sons (13 & 3yrs).
For more emerging church postcards 2006, go here.
For emerging church postcards 2005, go here.
For information on how your emerging church can send a postcard, go here.
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hey I don’t know if the Fuller St Café people are reading this, but I just wanted to encourage them….what they are doing sounds awesome, powerful and inspires me – if only it was in my local area…maybe someday we can get something going!
Comment by Deborah Taggart — January 23, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Thanks Deborah its greatly encouraging. Thanks too Steve for including us and for doing the post cards again. Just looking at our first theme for the year today and looks like it’ll be Ben Harper.
Comment by Jowall — January 23, 2007 @ 9:02 pm