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Kevin's E-pistle | May 2004
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” T.S. Eliot
To my beloved, VC friends and family,
One of the things I’ve always loved about VC is our ability to take risks, to press the envelope, to find out how far things can really go. Over the last few years we’ve really risked going too far in the arena of decentralization. We’ve survived with no staff, a handful of AllGroups, the barest bones of a budget, and recently the building was condemned. Just imagine what would happen to most churches if the staff, building and budget were removed. Sometimes I’m amazed we’ve made it this far. I think we’ve gone as far as we needed to go. I think it’s time the pendulum started to swing back a bit. As a network we’re starting to lose sight of our identity and destiny. We’re becoming frayed on the edges, a bit too boundary-less and we’re at risk of losing the richness that comes with being in this thing together. Here are some of the things we’ve grown into that we need to hold on to as we begin to consider what’s next for us as a network:
>> The house churches are and will always be autonomous though inter-connected churches, not merely small groups dependant on a larger entity.
>> We will always be led by people who earn their living from outside the network. This does not mean we won’t ever pay people to do things for the network. We might even have a small staff again someday. But the pastoral council should always be predominantly made up of those earning their living outside of the network.
>> The vast majority of the financial resources and decision making regarding those resources need to remain in the home churches not a central office.
>> We can survive and even thrive without a church building. Since we’re not chained to the building for weekly gatherings, we can dream of new and creative uses of that space. Along with most of you I’ve loved all the art events we’ve hosted in that space and I’m looking forward to many more (there are still lots of barren walls in the Brownhouse calling out for art…). Via Crucis was another beautiful, deeply moving and creative use of the space. But we’ve only scratched the surface of possibilities. I’m convinced the years ahead will tell an amazing story of restored beauty and purpose in that place…
So what does it mean for the pendulum to swing back a bit?
How can we as a network of home churches re-gain our focus as a whole while at the same time hold on to the gains of the past few years?
>> more communication on the needs, desires and direction of VC as a whole. As I see it one of the key tasks of leadership in a network like ours is to help orient us toward what God has called us to be (identity) and what he is calling us to become (destiny). For now this communication will mostly come from e-pistles like this and our ongoing weblog (aka HouseTalk) at http://www.vineyardcentral.com/blog
>> defining what it means to be a part of the network… what are the rights and responsibilities of the churches related to VC? What can your home church expect from the network and what can the network expect from your home church? What are the boundaries of being a part of VC? These are the kind of questions that we need to gain clarity on in the months ahead.
>> re-organizing and expanding the Pastoral Council (more on this soon)
>> Having some times together for corporate guidance. Our next AllGroup on June 26th will be one such opportunity. This will look unlike any AllGroup to date. It will likely have less of a regional presence (although anyone is more than welcome to come) as we’ll be focusing on worship and listening to God for what he wants to say to us as a gathered congregation of home churches. There will be worship in song, times for silence and storytelling all to the end of discerning what God is saying to us. A Fall leadership retreat for those leading home churches or ministries (or planning to start one in the next six months) will be another opportunity for corporate guidance among the leadership community.
I’m very optimistic right now about the future of VC. I believe we are only beginning to live into the dreams and purposes God has planned for us and through us to our city. For many the building being condemned was a frustrating and disappointing reality. It doesn’t need to be though when set in the context of our shared history. Remember what happened the last time VC faced having our building condemned? It set us on the current course we’re still on! Perhaps this is God’s way of preparing us for another exciting chapter in our story. He has a way of turning apparent defeat into something wonderful and good and life giving. Remember the cross. Remember the resurrection. Repeat.
Peace to you as our story continues to unfold,
Kevin
PS: I co-wrote a little article with my friend Alan Creech for Next-Wave’s April online magazine. Check it out here if you’re interested… http://www.the-next-wave.org/stories/storyReader$273
*********************************** --------------------------------
To my beloved, VC friends and family,
One of the things I’ve always loved about VC is our ability to take risks, to press the envelope, to find out how far things can really go. Over the last few years we’ve really risked going too far in the arena of decentralization. We’ve survived with no staff, a handful of AllGroups, the barest bones of a budget, and recently the building was condemned. Just imagine what would happen to most churches if the staff, building and budget were removed. Sometimes I’m amazed we’ve made it this far. I think we’ve gone as far as we needed to go. I think it’s time the pendulum started to swing back a bit. As a network we’re starting to lose sight of our identity and destiny. We’re becoming frayed on the edges, a bit too boundary-less and we’re at risk of losing the richness that comes with being in this thing together. Here are some of the things we’ve grown into that we need to hold on to as we begin to consider what’s next for us as a network:
>> The house churches are and will always be autonomous though inter-connected churches, not merely small groups dependant on a larger entity.
>> We will always be led by people who earn their living from outside the network. This does not mean we won’t ever pay people to do things for the network. We might even have a small staff again someday. But the pastoral council should always be predominantly made up of those earning their living outside of the network.
>> The vast majority of the financial resources and decision making regarding those resources need to remain in the home churches not a central office.
>> We can survive and even thrive without a church building. Since we’re not chained to the building for weekly gatherings, we can dream of new and creative uses of that space. Along with most of you I’ve loved all the art events we’ve hosted in that space and I’m looking forward to many more (there are still lots of barren walls in the Brownhouse calling out for art…). Via Crucis was another beautiful, deeply moving and creative use of the space. But we’ve only scratched the surface of possibilities. I’m convinced the years ahead will tell an amazing story of restored beauty and purpose in that place…
So what does it mean for the pendulum to swing back a bit?
How can we as a network of home churches re-gain our focus as a whole while at the same time hold on to the gains of the past few years?
>> more communication on the needs, desires and direction of VC as a whole. As I see it one of the key tasks of leadership in a network like ours is to help orient us toward what God has called us to be (identity) and what he is calling us to become (destiny). For now this communication will mostly come from e-pistles like this and our ongoing weblog (aka HouseTalk) at http://www.vineyardcentral.com/blog
>> defining what it means to be a part of the network… what are the rights and responsibilities of the churches related to VC? What can your home church expect from the network and what can the network expect from your home church? What are the boundaries of being a part of VC? These are the kind of questions that we need to gain clarity on in the months ahead.
>> re-organizing and expanding the Pastoral Council (more on this soon)
>> Having some times together for corporate guidance. Our next AllGroup on June 26th will be one such opportunity. This will look unlike any AllGroup to date. It will likely have less of a regional presence (although anyone is more than welcome to come) as we’ll be focusing on worship and listening to God for what he wants to say to us as a gathered congregation of home churches. There will be worship in song, times for silence and storytelling all to the end of discerning what God is saying to us. A Fall leadership retreat for those leading home churches or ministries (or planning to start one in the next six months) will be another opportunity for corporate guidance among the leadership community.
I’m very optimistic right now about the future of VC. I believe we are only beginning to live into the dreams and purposes God has planned for us and through us to our city. For many the building being condemned was a frustrating and disappointing reality. It doesn’t need to be though when set in the context of our shared history. Remember what happened the last time VC faced having our building condemned? It set us on the current course we’re still on! Perhaps this is God’s way of preparing us for another exciting chapter in our story. He has a way of turning apparent defeat into something wonderful and good and life giving. Remember the cross. Remember the resurrection. Repeat.
Peace to you as our story continues to unfold,
Kevin
PS: I co-wrote a little article with my friend Alan Creech for Next-Wave’s April online magazine. Check it out here if you’re interested… http://www.the-next-wave.org/stories/storyReader$273
*********************************** --------------------------------