New Church Development

So I'm currently in Montreal at Presbyterian College for a New Church Development Conference.  I attended one two years ago, and it's great to be back and see some familiar faces.

One of the activities for this year was to venture out into the streets surrounding McGill University and pay attention.  We were observing the people in the area, what were the trends, what was the demographic, we had conversations with people about what they valued in the area or what needs they thought the area had.  All of this was to practice the awareness needed when considering a church plant.  If you're going to plant a church, it's good to know what kind of people are there and what the needs of the community are.

In traveling around Montreal I was amazed at how much I started noticing traits that Vancouver has, were missing here (perhaps it's because I went out here with a different mindset, and if I practice this same exercise in Vancouver I may have a similar experience).  But there were a few things I noticed about Vancouver...

1.  People in Vancouver have blinders on.  When I think of Vancouver I think of the business.  Everyone is rushing around, trying to get to the next thing on the schedule, people complaining they have no time for anything, cars honking at each other because the world around them is preventing them from accomplishing what they want to do.

As I was walking around Montreal I found a much more relaxed atmosphere.  In addition, I found people were talking with each other!  There were very little encounters of people with headphones on or heads down.  People were looking up and greeting each other; having conversations with each other.

Now I get that people in Vancouver chat with friends and colleagues.  But I also sense 2. a great loneliness in Vancouver.  People are isolated - maybe because they consider themselves "visitors" and don't feel the freedom to engage people in the streets.  Perhaps they are new, or introverted, or just not hanging out with people that day...either way, people in Vancouver tend to walk alone a lot (often rushing about from one place to another).

3.  Homeless people are ignored.  I was walking with a buddy who stopped to chat with a homeless man, Will, because Will greeted him first.  My friend asked Will where he was from, and he responded "Vancouver...but I like Montreal a lot better...people give me time of day here."  The conversation continued and Will revealed more and more about how people would say hello and chat with him.  When he was in Vancouver he was always ignored.  He wasn't even asking for money!  He just said "Hello!" to people, who would slap the blinders on and keep walking as if he didn't exist.

I can't help but notice how lonely a place Vancouver can be.  Is it any wonder why young adults are constantly going out to the club or bars or coffee shops - just to be around people! 

What would happen if the Church started to ACTIVELY and INTENTIONALLY engage in random conversations?  *Disclaimer: this is coming from an introvert!  I'm not one to start up a random conversation with someone - I find the idea stressful and overwhelming.  But I have to wonder, how many lonely people do I see everyday and not notice because I'm too busy keeping my blinders up?  How many depressed people are looking for someone to connect with (even with just a simple "hello") but only find busy people who are lost in their own schedule/world?

What does the Kingdom of God look like for such an individualistic world?  

I can use my introvertedness as an excuse - I can even say "I'm not gifted in that..."  But can the Kingdom of God not overcome my own insecurities?  Doesn't the Bible say that God's grace is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9)?

If you're wanting to see the Kingdom of God break into the community around you, ask God for observant eyes today.  Pay attention to the people around you, and see them as God sees them.  They are not just pieces of the mass...they are individuals, with their own story, journey and questions.  Gracious God, give me the eyes to see Your people.  Amen.

"Well, what do you know?"

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Never rely on what you think you know.  Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way." (Prov 3:5-6, Today's English Version)

I was sitting in one of the Sunday school classrooms at the church I'm interning at, and I saw the above verse on the wall.  It had been a craft that a group of students put together.  I confess it was from a translation I had never heard of before (my translation list isn't as bountiful as it probably should be), but it stood out to me this morning (and not because of the bright pink paper it was pasted on).

It spoke to me because I realized just how many assumptions I make everyday.  I assume I know where people are coming from.  I assume I know their situation.  I assume I have a better answer to the question than they do.  I assume they're being self-righteous and I'm humble.  I assume...I assume...I ASS-ume...

How foolish have I been to believe that I could possibly know anything about another person without journeying with them?

This reflection comes from an experience I had at a Presbytery meeting last night.  There were a few people who got up to speak to make various motions, discussions, etc. (all very Presbyterian) and I found myself assuming I knew something about them.  The sinful voice within me started judging these people, when all the while I was sitting there not having a CLUE as to what was going on.  I was halfway between consciousness and enthused passing of judgment on people.  This is not a healthy place to be.

The above verse reminded me that my assumptions don't help anyone.  In fact, assumptions in general are just signs of our inability to trust in God.  Our assumptions come out of a place of trying to control the conversation.  It's easier to disagree and argue with someone if you don't have to engage them in a proper relationship.

This verse tells us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to remember the Lord in everything we do, because when we trust God and remember God, we'll see the other through God's eyes.  We'll be able to appreciate and love others and respond to them as beloved children of God; rather than making quick assumptions.

I feel like this is a rather simplistic notion, yet I fall victim of it so often.  It may be easy to explain, but not as easy to live out.