It's not easy.
There isn't much space available inside the city.
The people's perspective of church is only from the TV because there was no Christian influence when the city started.
The property isn't cheap.
It takes a lot of prayer and trust in God to get the resources and support needed.
There are likely more Starbucks customers in Seattle than churchgoers. This is a problem needing fixing, but care must be taken when going about this. We can't just beat people over the head with the Gospel. We also need to avoid the opposite extreme, which is running for the hills and leaving the confused masses to sort out truth on their own.
You can't just build a church and expect people to come. Here you need to go out into the community and start relationships with your neighbors, local business and restaurant owners, and even homeless man who has a regular spot. Only after you make these relationships can you expect the to be open to an invitation to church.
Wow, it's a crazy idea that coffee would be more popular than the "living water"! But then again, since the Gospel has been propogated as a manipulating-money-making poison, it's no wonder. It seems that a lot of work in ministry is spent revealing the untruths and distinguishing them from precious eternal truth.
ReplyDeleteMay His story be adorned as you bear witness. May the city's vision be cleansed of it's wild misinterpretations and forgiven of the church's misrepresentations and may the gospel of Christ be presented as it truly is: The GLORIOUS TRUTH...(more necessary than coffee!) ;)
I'm praying for you all and look forward to learning more from you as you travel on your Urban Journey!
Wow! That is a battlefield for spiritual warfare! I will be praying for you all!
ReplyDeleteGo big or go home! Radiate and shred the gnar!
-Andy