This morning I went to "Glide" church, San Francisco.
From the outside, the church is an old building that looks like it's been around for a long time, and is in need of renovations. Inside, it's an old theatre-type set up. A generous stage for the choir, band and 4 or 5 'reverends', and the ground floor and balcony for the congregation. A beautiful nearly full wall of blue stained glass windows illuminates one side of the church. In some ways, its just another building, just another space...
... But for the soul of the place.
The church had a mission. To serve it's community. Glide is located at (or next to?) Tenderloin, San Fran. Travel books advise to be pretty careful in Tenderloin or avoid it (particularly at night) because of high drug use here.
Glide seemed to be all about bringing freedom to people and empowering people to be themselves and live their dreams. There was a strong message that 'Glide has a place for you' - with a long list of the 'you' you might be - anywhere on the political spectrum, any colour, any sexual orientation, any preference to be known or stay anonymous, if you came with social skills or not... ; ) All through the service there was a sense that everyone was good enough to be there, and personal growth was really important. There were two parts of the service where we had to hold hands with the person next to us, and one part where there was some hugging. I have to admit that I got the giggles over all of that. It reinforced their message though. And it forced me to think about my church prejudices that I've adopted - I had to touch quite a few strangers not knowing which of the type of 'you' they were ; )
The sermon didn't have a lot of scripture in it (more of that Britain Idol type show, actually!) but the message was about how we all have dreams that we should take hold of (and the ressurection of Christ symbolises new life, meaning, we can do it - we have the right to change our story!). It was all about how our dreams are available for each of us if we go after them - no matter where we start from. So, at the end of the day, (and especially given the mission of this church) perhaps Christ was still preached... !?
And for all that I went to the church mainly for the music, that's not what I want to talk about the most today. There was evidence that this church did what it said . There was a drop in centre available to the community (even while church was on) and volunteers were preparing lunch for people who needed it. They advertised that the church feeds people regularly, medical supplies were needed and anonymous HIV tests are available... I got the sense that this was a church that lived and breathed the hope it preached. And it costs them. About $6 million a year.
The high point of all of this for me today was that they celebrated the life of a man who died trying. He was a drug addict, came clean, served the church for a good stretch, and later fell of the wagon again. He didn't recover from his drug addiction before he died. This is the first time that I can remember a church taking the time to celebrate the life of a real person who tried 'but failed'. Man that's cool.
I'll spend some time thinking about church culture while I'm here. Church culture is wierd, and I've avoided church for a good few years because of it. I'm trying to get over that... and I've asked God to help me with this while I'm away.
I think this church nailed something important. It demonstrated that God loves us just where we are. This church showed that it is possible for churches to trust God with us, while at the same time making sure that the church gets alongside us to love us into more growth and better lives.
I don't think it has to be drug addictions. It can just be annoying people. Annoyingly self righteous. Annoying because they're from a different socio-economic background or differently educated. Annoying because they're awesome and we don't see ourselves that way. Annoying because we're awesome and we don't see them that way. Annoying because they're so ordinary. Annoyingly appathetic. Annoyingly busy. Glide gave the message that it will love all people. I think it's because that's how God loves us.
Big ups, Glide.
From the outside, the church is an old building that looks like it's been around for a long time, and is in need of renovations. Inside, it's an old theatre-type set up. A generous stage for the choir, band and 4 or 5 'reverends', and the ground floor and balcony for the congregation. A beautiful nearly full wall of blue stained glass windows illuminates one side of the church. In some ways, its just another building, just another space...
... But for the soul of the place.
The church had a mission. To serve it's community. Glide is located at (or next to?) Tenderloin, San Fran. Travel books advise to be pretty careful in Tenderloin or avoid it (particularly at night) because of high drug use here.
Glide seemed to be all about bringing freedom to people and empowering people to be themselves and live their dreams. There was a strong message that 'Glide has a place for you' - with a long list of the 'you' you might be - anywhere on the political spectrum, any colour, any sexual orientation, any preference to be known or stay anonymous, if you came with social skills or not... ; ) All through the service there was a sense that everyone was good enough to be there, and personal growth was really important. There were two parts of the service where we had to hold hands with the person next to us, and one part where there was some hugging. I have to admit that I got the giggles over all of that. It reinforced their message though. And it forced me to think about my church prejudices that I've adopted - I had to touch quite a few strangers not knowing which of the type of 'you' they were ; )
The sermon didn't have a lot of scripture in it (more of that Britain Idol type show, actually!) but the message was about how we all have dreams that we should take hold of (and the ressurection of Christ symbolises new life, meaning, we can do it - we have the right to change our story!). It was all about how our dreams are available for each of us if we go after them - no matter where we start from. So, at the end of the day, (and especially given the mission of this church) perhaps Christ was still preached... !?
And for all that I went to the church mainly for the music, that's not what I want to talk about the most today. There was evidence that this church did what it said . There was a drop in centre available to the community (even while church was on) and volunteers were preparing lunch for people who needed it. They advertised that the church feeds people regularly, medical supplies were needed and anonymous HIV tests are available... I got the sense that this was a church that lived and breathed the hope it preached. And it costs them. About $6 million a year.
The high point of all of this for me today was that they celebrated the life of a man who died trying. He was a drug addict, came clean, served the church for a good stretch, and later fell of the wagon again. He didn't recover from his drug addiction before he died. This is the first time that I can remember a church taking the time to celebrate the life of a real person who tried 'but failed'. Man that's cool.
I'll spend some time thinking about church culture while I'm here. Church culture is wierd, and I've avoided church for a good few years because of it. I'm trying to get over that... and I've asked God to help me with this while I'm away.
I think this church nailed something important. It demonstrated that God loves us just where we are. This church showed that it is possible for churches to trust God with us, while at the same time making sure that the church gets alongside us to love us into more growth and better lives.
I don't think it has to be drug addictions. It can just be annoying people. Annoyingly self righteous. Annoying because they're from a different socio-economic background or differently educated. Annoying because they're awesome and we don't see ourselves that way. Annoying because we're awesome and we don't see them that way. Annoying because they're so ordinary. Annoyingly appathetic. Annoyingly busy. Glide gave the message that it will love all people. I think it's because that's how God loves us.
Big ups, Glide.
