giving it a try

We’re about to start a new Sunday evening gathering at our church. The idea is that it will be a bit more service-like than another evening gathering that we already participate in, yet also be a bit unconventional.

The idea we have is that each month will have a theme that runs through the month, but each week of the month we’ll unpack it in a different way. We’re meeting at 6.30pm in the Lounge at our church (in case you want to join us).

First Sundays we will explore the theme by seeing what the Bible has to say.

Second Sundays will be much more interactive with different ‘stations’ through which to explore the theme.

Third Sundays we plan to have people sharing how they live out that theme – perhaps a panel discussion or testimonies.

Fourth Sundays will be a ‘so what’ session – taking what we’ve discovered and finding ways of applying it.

If there’s a fifth Sunday we’ll have a more relaxed evening but review what’s been going on and hear any thoughts about what to do in the future.

We don’t have a snazzy, clever name for this: ‘Sunday Evenings at Mutley’ is our working title. Our plan is to run during November and then see what people think about whether it’s something to continue, or was just an interesting idea.

It seems to me that churches (and Christians) can be a bit ‘risk averse’. We seem to want to have everything sorted out and planned and to have thought of all the possible permutations and held a significant number of preparatory meetings and formed committees before we start doing something new or different. (Yes, we need to do risk assessments but this is different). We don’t seem to be able simply to have a try and see what happens. Once we have started something we also seem to find it very difficult to stop it!

That seems at odds with how Jesus trained his followers – he sent them out with minimal supplies and minimal instruction to have a go, and then when they got back they discussed what they had done and learnt.

I wonder if there’s anything you could give a try just to see how it goes?

Be blessed, be a blessing