How might a group of people who don't sit comfortably with traditional forms of church want to shape a corporate gathering space?

 

Indeed. How do you do it differently without replicating the same structure even if you want to? Is it our automatic default?

 

The aim was to intentionally develop a post- evangelical space / style for those in something of an ‘in-between', unsure, re-forming faith place. To build ways of exploring, interacting, and teasing out issues of faith and life, to be and learn from one another on the Christian faith journey, to be God honouring, and develop community. To develop an entirely different culture based on participation and shared ownership of the ‘space'. A place where the secular is brought into the room.                         

 

On a recent trip to Central Australia I learnt a number of things about the Aborigine people. One of those was their relationship to property. Buildings for the Aborigine, are symbols of something alien and incompatible with the environment that sustains them, namely the Australian desert. An environment which has sustained them for some sixty thousand years. The Aborigines build what they need for when they need it and leave it behind when they don't need it anymore, when the food and water supply have become scarce in that area. Sometimes they are returned to in a following season when sustenance is again available nearby. 

 

For some, the normal shape of church has become incompatible with what they need within their cultural milieu and has lost relevance and way of being in the Christian faith for them. They feel alienated by the culture rather than it sustaining them.

 

For the Aborigine the essence of who they are and what they believe is passed on through stories. The story is not contained in buildings or the old structure but passed on in relationship and journeying together.

 

For increasing numbers of people it is the essence of the Christian faith that is being sought, not the property' that goes with it – it has become time for them to move to something that better enables and sustains the next part of the journey.

 

People were invited to the New Gathering to contribute to forming the space that could do that for them. We first brainstormed around ideas of what people wanted out of a space like this and what they didn't want in terms of general ethos and then looked at how an evening might look in terms of what would be meaningful and life-giving.

What has evolved and will continue to evolve is an hour and a half on alternate Sunday evenings. We begin with soup and bread rolls and then move into a more focussed time with a number of components facilitated by different people. The idea being to build a sense of community around a meal and a high degree of ownership, involvement and participation throughout the evening. There are six components –

• a welcome / call to gather together to meet with God
• a focus on some aspect of our world and the people in it
• reflection through some form of the arts – this gives a more multi-sensory / intuitive engagement
• reflection through  content – can draw discussion
• connecting – time that allows for people to connect with / engage with God in some way
• the parting – the closing, leave taking, going from here which acknowledges what has taken place during the evening and farewells us from the space.

 

The ethos developing can be classified under five headings:

• The gathering is circular, without a front. The setting is a reflection of and supports group ethos.
• We endeavour to explore and engage with the world and the community around us.
• The integrity and choices of the individual will be respected.
• We will endeavour to support each other's exploration of faith by sharing our stories, experiences, perspectives and journeys.
• We let God defend God.

 

There are ‘stations' around the room if people prefer to spend some of the time in contemplation. They might reflect on a symbol, piece of artwork or writing or light a candle. Just simple foci for meditation.

 

Sue, who attends this gathering finds it “a huge relief to find others who are at the same stage as her in their faith journey.” After feeling burnt out by the traditional church and its cultural expectations, she feels she is tentatively opening up to a relationship with God again, but in a safe place for her. She says she finds it ‘immensely relaxing', that it is wonderful to have freedom to choose whether to participate or not from the smorgasbord of different people's ideas and thoughts about faith and to take from that what she wants. She appreciates that she can be herself and described the different contributions from people as “a treasure trove of people's creativity – finding faith in God in creative ways.”

 

The biggest challenge has been overturning the very ingrained church culture and getting people to own the responsibility of making it happen. People largely expect church to be put on for them, not that they could help make it happen, let alone alter the way it is going mid-happening by suggesting that we have a bit more time to discuss a thought. For a few the more provocative ideas are a challenge to the surety of their beliefs. However, despite that, the ingredients are there. This could become a very exciting space

 

Who can be a part of the new gathering? Can I go back to Aborigine culture which says a person is an Aborigine when they say they are, when they identify they are and become part of / enter the story or culture.

                                                                                                

Jenny McIntosh