What is church? At Opawa we have been exploring the idea that church exists to develop community, extend Jesus love and grow in Christian life. This understanding has laid the groundwork for a multi-congregational model and allowed the planting of Espresso, a Tuesday evening congregation.
Espresso is experimenting with the mission part, with extending Jesus love, in the following way. Once a month a person describes their work. This is followed by the playing of 3 cards;
Creator card
Redeeemer card
Sustainer card.
Each card offers a Scripture and some questions based on understanding God as Creator; Redeemer; Sustainer. Questions like; What in this person’s work takes responsibility for God’s creation? What in this person’s work enhances life to the full? What in this work breathes God’s peace and forgiveness?
Those gathered answer the cards. In so doing, they provide feedback, offering insights into how a person's work is an extension of Jesus love.
The evening then concludes with a storytelling time. The story of a saint is shared, ideally a saint that has some linkage with the person's work.
So on Tuesday a scientist working in the micro-biology field shared and the evening ended with the story of St.Francis of Assissi. For a positive comment, see here.
Posted by opawa at September 2, 2005 04:51 PM