When our home church was done, I mourned. Those years brought tremendous love, joy, understanding, and growth for me. I needed that small, simple church experience, and I think the people of that home church would agree. It fulfilled its purpose. When it ended, I wandered for awhile looking for my next stop.
What if we re-imagined churches as temporary stops to meet specific needs? What if churches had their specialties, and people stayed as long as they needed before moving on to a new stage at a new church? What if faith is a journey, and churches can be checkpoints and stops along the way? Some churches might go out of business. But, what if churches totally re-imagined themselves so that they didn't have to be in business? What if more churches collaborated with one another to cut expenses and stay small? (This is where I feel great guilt because of my contributions to a church's expensive growth.) What if people demanded less from their pastors and churches and took greater responsibility for their own faith and wellbeing -- as well as the faith and wellbeing of their children -- so that pastors can focus on those who don't have the tools to care for themselves? The resources are out there and plentiful. I know because that's where I'm at. My next stop is no church. I can grow in my faith through books and podcasts. I can experience a faith community over coffee with friends. I can facilitate faith-focused growth and community for my children in my own home and with the help of family and friends. This is my current stop.
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