A Blog by Jason Salamun

On Saturday, Project Church is putting on a school event called “Santa’s Workshop.”

(See Below)

We strongly believe that we are to bring and be good news.

So we’re hoping to build some relational bridges with folks at the school.

Potentially 600 students and stories.

Even more parents and staff.

We’ve heard several heart-breaking stories from teachers about some kids at this school.

A small sample of many.

These stories need to be changed.

Jesus showed us the way to change a story is to enter a story.

Hence the Incarnation which we celebrate this Christmas season.

So we are following his great example.

We can’t make all the stories better.

I wish we could.

But perhaps we can make a few better.

And a few is better than none.

Ultimately, our hope is that they meet the One who puts all the pieces back together.

Who is good news in a world that’s not.

Who makes all things new.

That’s why we enter the story.

Love travels on relational highways.

That’s the wonder of incarnation.

That’s the way of Jesus.

The story of Project Church began in my living room with a group of friends who began to dream of a church who tethered ourselves to God and followed wherever he leads.

After six months, we decided to meet in public and began gathering at a local coffee house and welcome more people into our story.  Over the last year we have been on a discovery process as we began to build an identity as a gospel-driven community on a mission of love.

Then, out of the blue, we received a phone call from the Elks Theatre over a month ago informing us their 600-seat vintage theater was available.  It’s a cultural landmark for our community and is located in the heart of Rapid City with ample parking nearby.  After much discussion and prayer, it became clear that God was moving and since we were committed to tethering ourselves to him, we had to go where he led.  The decision to move was made and Sunday, October 18 was going to be the big day.

That led us to today where we had our first service and once again God was on the move.  We immediately had our largest attendance and a number of people took steps towards Jesus.

Today, we saw that we were part of something bigger than us- something we can’t take credit for – and something that’s just the beginning of what God is going to do in the Black Hills and beyond.

What moved me the most today was seeing spectators becoming participants.  It was literally all hands on deck and it was a beautiful sight to behold.  I’m truly humbled to be a part of this and to have such amazing people on board with the mission of Project Church.   Thank you all so much!  I love you guys big time!!! What you did today helped people take steps to Jesus. That is so stinking HUGE!!!  And we’re just getting started.

For my friends who are following our story, thank you for your prayers and encouragement.   We’ll need them moving forward as we take steps in being the church Jesus had in mind.  This is our great project.

For those of you wanting to jump on board, what are you waiting for?  Now’s the time!

To listen to today’s message, visit theJesusSessions.org or subscribe via iTunes. The audio quality isn’t the best but it will give you a flavor of today.  Below are some snapshots from our first gathering courtesy of Jen for your viewing pleasure.

Now we get to do this all over again next week.

This Sunday, October 18 at 10am, Project Church is moving to our new home at the Elks Theatre in downtown Rapid City and we want you to join us.

This move signifies a new chapter in the story of Project Church. One year ago we began gathering at Alternative Fuel Coffee House in hopes of creating a community where people who are exploring the Christian faith can belong before they believe and where believers can grow in their relationship with God and be in community with one another.

Having our services at a vintage movie theater like The Elks provides us with a blank canvas in which to bring love and hope to our community. It’s a cultural landmark in the Black Hills, has the largest movie screen in South Dakota, seats over 600 people, and is conveniently located in the heart of Rapid City.

The service lasts about an hour and features down-to-earth teaching, live music, and a time to connect with others. The dress is casual, the coffee will be brewing, and there’s a clean, safe nursery for the little ones.

Remember, you matter to God and you matter to us.

Hope to see you there!
Grace,

Jason Salamun
pastor | Project Church

We’re still in Year Zero of this Gospel-driven experiment of birthing a new Christ-centered, people-loving church.

And I’m so thankful to be a part of it.

God is good.

We aren’t there yet (as if we ever will be) however, this is the closest taste I’ve ever had to authentic community.

And it tastes good.

Last night we had a totally rad 80’s party.

Always fun to Wang Chung with your friends.

Earlier this week, we had some surprise visitors, Chad and Amy Houck of Share5.org, roll into Rapid City.

They’re on a mission traveling the country in an RV to get people on mission.

We’ve enjoyed getting to know them.

And because their transmission went kaput, they’re here for a little while.

They’re good people.  Check out their website to discover more about their ministry.

Today’s Project Church gathering was eventful.

We said ciao to our homegirl Taryn who’s moving to Austin, TX.

We’ve had to say farewell to many people since we began and it’s always bittersweet.

I recommended three churches to her in the Austin area.

Austin Stone Community | Austin City Life | Gateway Church

I find myself giving church recommendations on a regular basis.

We’ve been in flux for musicians and I’m hoping we get that ironed out soon.

Betsy stepped in a did a great job today.

She is also leaving us in a couple of weeks to move to Tennessee.

I showed this fabulous clip to set up a message on Gospel-Centered Marriages.

Most memorable phrase of the message:

“Marriage is like having a toilet seat super-glued to your butt.”

“Divorce is what it feels like to have it ripped off.”

Listen to more profound thoughts from this week here.

Our podcast feed is jacked up but hopefully we’ll have that rolling right soon.

I’m very thankful for the crew who’ve been a part of this and the ones who are just now jumping on board.

Year One will begin in September and we’ll be looking to raise the ante in the Black Hills (and beyond).

Big things are a comin’ and we’re just getting started.

Please keep Project Church in your prayers.

Thank you.

Saturday, May 30 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Dublin Square Irish Pub
$5 to register
$10 for t-shirt
Great prizes for finalists

The men and women who serve in volunteer fire departments throughout Rapid City and the Black Hills sacrifice their time, energy, and often their lives for the good of our community.

To say thank you, Project Church is sponsoring a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament for these modern-day superheroes.

We hope to not only raise funds for equipment, maintenance, and training, but also raise awareness for this wonderful cause.

We created a website at rockpaperscissorslove.com where you can get more information.

If it goes well, we might put on similar tournaments for various causes throughout the year.

We understand it’s not typical for a church to hold a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament.

Especially in a pub.

But Project Church is not your typical church.

We are  a new church in Rapid City, SD who are in the city, for the city; committed to knowing culture, loving people, and seeing stories changed by Jesus.

Visit projectchurch.net to discover more.

“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.

I love my city.

But.

My city is a strange brew.

Starting a new church here has opened my eyes to it.

On one hand, there’s a solid Christian sub-culture.

Christian events do very well here.

Christian music concerts & festivals.

Evangelistic crusade-type-things.

There are lots of bumper stickers & fish symbols on cars indicating membership to the Christian sub-culture.

You can often find pro-life picket signs near the local Planned Parenthood.

And there are loads of churches.

Religion runs heavy here.

So why in the world are we starting a church here?

It looks like the “culture-war” has already prevailed.

That’s the thing.

It’s all a smoke-screen.

We’re missing the point.

All that prominent Christian culturalization has had little impact on real issues.

There are still lots of broken homes and broken hearts.

There are still issues of racism.

There are still hungry children.

There is still an us vs. them mentality.

There are still self-righteous, judgmental hypocrites.

I should know, I’m a recovering one.

Don’t get me wrong.

There are some super churches and loving Christians in my city.

But the general impression is this:

Get saved and change into this Christian t-shirt.

Jesus didn’t live, suffer, die, and rise so that we could create a silly sub-culture.

He came that we might have life, and life in full.

That we might bring light into darkness.

That we might change the story.

That we might love others as ourselves.

On the other hand, there are thousands and thousands of people in my city who want nothing to do with church.

For many, Jesus isn’t the issue.

They just don’t want to wear the t-shirt.

Or stick on a goofy bumper sticker.

Or hand out tracts at the mall.

Or give up listening to good music.

Or dump their friends at the bar.

They don’t want to be THAT guy or gal.

They don’t want to be religious.

They want an authentic faith that doesn’t turn people into something creepy.

I don’t blame them. I don’t either.

The good news is this:

Jesus offers something better.

Something real.

His grace.

His love.

Himself.

Too often, Jesus is presented as the means to get to heaven.

That’s incomplete.

He’s not the means, he’s the end.

Love Jesus and heaven follows.

Not the other way around.

Project Church exists for those outside the Christian sub-culture.

For the explorers who are still trying to figure out what they believe.

For the followers who are trying to live out what they believe.

We’re not here to add to the sub-culture.

We’re here to change the story.

Not because we’re great.

Because Jesus is.

Jesus is always better than religion.

Project Church is 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.

As a result, this is the church we strive to be.

Biblical.

We believe in the timeless truths of the ancient scriptures.

We aren’t looking to invent some new religion.

That’s lame.

We also aren’t seeking to push the Bible down your throat or beat you over the head with it.

That’s not how we roll.

But we do believe the Bible is relevant to our lives.

And since Jesus said it was all about him, we recalibrate our lives according to it.

It’s our supreme court and ultimate authority and no person, philosophy, or teaching is above it.

We figure if God says it’s his very word, then it should be a big deal to us.

It’s in the Bible where we discover the gospel.

The good news of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

Grace means God can’t love us any more or less than he already does.

There’s nothing that can separate his love from us.

It sounds too good to be true

yet

there’s no purer truth in all the universe.

In Christ, we get what we don’t deserve.

Him.

And his ever-flowing, over-flowing, love and forgiveness.

We simply need to believe it and receive it.

And because we get what we don’t deserve, we are free to give grace to others.

It’s not always easy- but it’s always good.

We all wrestle with doubts and none of us have it all figured out.

But at Project Church, you can belong before you believe.

Missional

Our mission is to do what Jesus said:  To go and make disciples who love God and people.

It is a collision of what’s known as the Great Commandment & the Great Commission.

We will stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves and offer hope to the hopeless.

We will fight against injustice and guilt-based religion by our actions and the Gospel.

In serving others, we serve Christ.

We will never forget that our ultimate mission is to bring good news and be good news to those around us.

We are to tether ourselves to Jesus and go as far as He leads.

We are called to be carriers of grace and infect all those around us.

Too often, the church has attacked the culture in which we live.

This is the equivalent to throwing rocks at the house of the very people you’re called to love.

Jesus showed us the way to change a story is to enter a story.

All around us are a multitude of stories that need to be changed.

We can’t make all the stories better.

We wish we could.

But we can make some better.

And some is better than none.

Our greatest hope and mission is for folks to meet the One who restores stories.

Relational

Project Church boils down to relationships.

We get this from God.

After all, He is in relationship with himself as Father, Son, and Spirit.

When He created humanity, He designed us for relationships- with Him and one another.

It’s in the fabric of our being.

This is why God calls us to essentially love Him and people.

Love can only travel on relational highways.

The very highway He constructed.

Our challenge is to love like God does.

Right where people are.

At Project Church, our aim is to be real with God, ourselves, and each other.

Church was never meant to be a bunch of people who sit in pews, put on masks, and go through the motions.

Instead, we’re to be a family where no one stands alone.

Because relationships are so important,

we seek less churchy activities and more friendships with people despite where they are on their spiritual journey.

If anything, the church is to equip people to go through everyday life to build and develop genuine relationships.

Not keep them corralled in church buildings like cattle.

This may seem to be a given, and perhaps a bit elementary,

But we are about intentional, genuine relationships.

This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of following Jesus and being the church Jesus had in mind.