Good questions from Jonny. His questions are in bold, my gut reactions in normal.
can we imagine…
church beyond gathering?
No – church is by definition a gathering.
church beyond once a week?
We must, because life cannot be shared, transformation cannot be wrought, and the Kingdom cannot be enacted otherwise.
church as always on connectivity to christ and one another?
Technology has given us new ways to relate and interact, so why not.
church where community is the content?
Again we must – without community there is no church.
theology and resources of church being open source?
Only if community takes a central place, so that there is accountability and testing. Wait, isn’t that what happens on blogs, Someone floats an idea, and others test that idea?
church valuing the wisdom of the crowd rather than the knowledge of the expert?
House church ought to facilitate this. The only expert is the Spirit, mediated in the community.
our church/spirituality being easily found by seekers because we tag it that way?
Only if we step back and take seriously the invitation to assist seekers vs. assimilate seekers.
an ethos of low control and collaboration?
There’s a lot of professional ministry inertia to overcome.
an economy of gift?
Yes! This is the Kingdom’s alternative to consumption and consumerism.
church as spaces for creative production and self publishing?
Goes hand in hand with gift.
church as providers of resources for spiritual seekers and tourists?
See above: only if we take them seriously and stop trying to assimilate them.
I love your gut reactions, dude.
You’ve got me thinking, and I’m going to need more time to process before responding much right now. However, here are a few thoughts:
I am suspicious of the role that radical individualism may be playing in our revering of all things open-source.
I am suspiciious of the role that radical egalitarianism may be playing in our revised understandings of what “community” is and how it should (and shouldn’t) function.
I know for sure that the changes you’ve brought to your blog rock!
So slow in responding… Sorry
Questions on top of thoughts:
Is the veneration given to “open-source” a symptom of radical individualism or rather an expression of a growing commitment to a community hermeneutic?
Also, would you say that egalitarianism is or is not consistent with the Gospel?