“People criticize what they don’t understand.”
I don’t know who made that statement but I certainly can relate.
Ever since we announced we were starting Project Church last year, we’ve had mud balls throw at us.
Not by non-churchy folks.
But by churchy folks.
I can take the heat.
I expect it.
Thankfully, we have some churches who are all for what we’re doing.
But then there are others.
I wondered why some would talk smack about some small, start-up church.
That is until someone made this comment,
“Project Church doesn’t fit neatly into one particular category.”
That’s so true.
On one hand, some would love to write us off as some heretical faction who doesn’t believe God is sovereign, the bible is true, Jesus is King, and the church has a mission.
But we do.
We’re not looking to invent, or reinvent, a religion.
Just a return to the church as found in scripture.
Theologically, we’re conservative.
Just last Sunday we talked about Jesus, the cross, atonement, propitiation, expiation, God’s wrath, God’s love, sin, and grace.
We believe in grace AND truth.
That frustrates people who want to label us as a liberal church.
On the other hand, we’re unchurchy.
When we say, “come as you are” and “belong before you believe” we mean it.
We aren’t into the whole christian subculture thing.
We don’t beat people over the head with the Bible.
We simply teach it, relate it to people’s real lives, and let Spirit of God do the rest.
We meet in a coffee house.
We’re planning an event in a bar.
One in which many of us have hung out in.
We’re not into religion. We’re into Jesus.
That’s the kind of stuff that bothers some churchy folks.
The truth about Project Church is this:
We’re all about Jesus.
In him, God became a man, entered our messed-up story, and changed the story.
He died for us so that we might live for him.
As a result of what Jesus did (and is doing), our hope, our project, is to be the church Jesus had in mind.
Not some religious institution of self-righteous, judgmental hypocrites.
But a movement of love of jacked-up, yet growing, people who are exploring and following Jesus.
Who are taking our first steps and next steps in living the lives we are meant to live.
Who are an authentic community of grace, truth, mission, and meaning.
Our style and methods may not be typical, but make no mistake about it, Project Church is all about, all for, and all because of, Jesus.
If you want a label, we use three words to describe us:
Biblical. Missional. Relational.
If you want to read more, click here.
Whether you’re a fan or a critic of Project Church, would you pray for us?
We’re certainly not the perfect church.
Nor do we pretend to be.
We’re just trying to love God and people.
Because that’s what disciples do.
Thank you.
Grace & Truth.
