Hawthorn House
Hawthorn Street
San Diego
California
92102
Home Church Is Where The Heart Is
Without Jason (Evans, the fella in whose house this church meets), I wouldn't have met Jim. I wouldn't have done the book. I wouldn't be here writing this right now.
So I'm biased.
But this is how I think church works best, with a small group of people having heart to heart talks about what the words of Jesus mean to them, what belief means to them, and what they are going to do to make the world a better place.
One criticism some Christians have flung at me is that, and I paraphrase, church isn't meant for non-believers, so of course I don't get what I see. And, from Corinthians, something about the gospel appearing foolish to the non-believer.
And maybe they're right: church isn't meant for non-believers. But what about Jesus? Is Jesus meant for everyone? According to what's in the Bible, yes.
And it has never been the gospel that has appeared foolish to me: it has been the way that gospel is praised by so many believers inside the church, and then flatly ignored once services are over. Or--in the case of the preachers for whom money is everything--ignored right there during the service.
The gospel, so far as I can tell, is something you LIVE, not something you talk about. Church is a meeting place to discuss that gospel, nothing more. At far too many churches, it seems to me that it's the church that's being worshipped, not the lord.
But here, at this house owned by Jason and his wife Brooke, they worship Jesus, purely and simply. And it was a humbling experience to be there and see how it's done.
For you traditionalists, you literalists, here's the break down: they had communion (during dinner), they sang a Call to Worship, they talked about Jesus. There was no collection, but there were committments (i.e., they knew it wasn't throwing $5 into a hat that would make a difference, but putting time into the community).
I can't say enough good things about these people and how they do church.
So why didn't they get a 5? Simple, really. I am an atheist. I do not believe there is a supernatural deity overseeing our every move and waiting to judge us. And as much as I respect how these friends of mine "do church," I don't understand the need for an all-powerful deity...And so it remains...
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Only a 3 on our singing!? Come on!
Seriously, I appreciate your frank and sincere thoughts, Matt.
I don't have much to say...
I do wonder where that common space might be, for believing and non-believing people, to work towards a more constructive lifestyle and world together. For people of faith, we turn to our religious communities... where would you turn to find that kind of community, Matt?
Of course that's a good question.
I guess I think of my friends and family as my community. Granted, we don't call ourselves a community, and there's no organizing principle or guiding force.
There are, of course, many, many organizations out there believers and non-believers can join together to make the world a better place, usually under the banner of "activism." But that's never really been my style.
I think you know that the second I have the get-up-and-go and bandwidth to get my hands dirty, you are the guy I would call.
Because, like Jim, you walk the walk of Christianity, which means doing what (all?) you can to make the world a better place (Christ commanded "heaven on earth," after all).
And I--though a non-believer--am all for heaven on Earth.
So my answer to your question appears to be the same as your answer, with a limp reference to "activist groups."
Matt, your review and rating of the church that meets in Jason's house inspires me to want our own network of churches to be as relational, organic, and Christ-focused as you described.
A few questions about your experience.:
1. Did you participate in the discussion while you were there? And how were you treated if you did?
2. As an atheist, do you feel that your experience with this church would nudge you towards a belief in a personal deity? If so, what are those factors that influence you most?
3. Was the flow of the evening facilitated by someone? ie. After dinner, did someone say, "How about we go to the living room to sing and share?" Or was it something that everyone already knew would happen?