So the next step is we google "emerging church Sydney". Well, there's three. One's website doesn't even mention Jesus, God, church, spirituality... it's in fact a guitar tuition site - dead end. Another is a cafe, which apparently also has no connection with Jesus, God, church, or spirituality. It's just a "space". I don't fancy travelling out to see a space - I'm looking for a fellowship of believers.
The final option is the well-renowned Small Boat Big Sea - whoops, I mean smallboatbigsea, how daggy of me to put in spaces! The website seems good - the word Christian pops up - even Jesus a bit later on - this is more promising than the others so far! It's a safe space to be a community, and it's a large, comfy space which fits me (so I'm told). All sounds great! Let's go.
Meeting times are as follows: during January, picnics at different beaches from 5:30pm. This Sunday is Shelley beach, near Manly. Yippee! Off we go, pack the arvo tea and out for a swim at Manly. Beautiful. As 5pm approaches, we hop into the showers and then begin the picturesque coastal trek to Shelley Beach. Upon arrival, we see a number of groups of thirty-somethings smoking, drinking beer (not "cheap wine" like the website promises) and playing music (but not "from around the world" like the website promises). Eenie, meenie... Which group is it? Should we go and ask? Well, it's our first time, let's walk by looking lost and see if anyone notices.
Nope, no-one noticed. Well, maybe we're a bit early. Let's sit and wait and see if they put a sign up. Just a little picture of a small boat on a big sea or something would satisfy... we don't require a glaringly obvious "CHURCH MEETING HERE NOW - JOIN US!" Just anything which offers a little identification or a mite of encouragement for a stranger to approach.
Another group is forming further down the beach, but again, looking exclusively inward. Hmm... how long should we wait? We know we could easily solve the problem by asking each group if they are smallboatbigsea. But it kinda feels a bit awkward. It's nice to be welcomed into a foreign group rather than force your way in. None of the groups feels like "a large comfy space which fits us". Another walk-by (wistful glances included) achieves nothing.
Well, half an hour later, we pack our gear and head back to Manly Beach and our car. Stopping by a bakery for some dinner, we head down to Olympic Park and watch a free movie in the Overflow. The place is packed, and there's no question of where the event is happening.
All this just raises the question, when is blending in with average Aussie culture a good thing, and when is the right time for a church to emerge? Anyone else had positive or negative experiences of emerging?
4 comments:
Well, firstly, you should be aware that there are Christian communities attached to the two missional projects you passed over. Secondly, there are more than three. But most importantly, you maybe want to check you expectations if you're expecting glitzy advertising to lead the way. If your wanting something with a conventional church face why not check out Cafe Church in Glebe.
Hi Matt
Thanks for your comment!
About the cafe, I have heard good things about it, and I really respect missional enterprises like that. I just expected a bit more "leading" from the website of what I might expect there - even a hint that Jesus comes up in conversation from time to time. Do you know what the purpose is of keeping the Christian side hush hush? I'd love to hear the thinking.
The other one - I honestly thought the URL had been abandoned and taken over by a guitar group. Again, for someone who is trying to find a fellowship which is different from "normal" church, such a lack of info makes it pretty hard/inaccessible.
I'm glad there are more than the three I found out about. I just wonder how you can be missional, culturally relevant, and not over-the-top (with glitzy advertising etc), but still be "out there" enough for people to find you!
cheers
anna
Did you say "hi", or just "walk by looking lost"?
J
Hi Johnny,
No, as I said, we just walked by trying (unsuccessfully) to make eye contact with anyone from each group - just looking for a sign that it wasn't someone's private party.
I know when I was part of a open fellowship of believers which regularly had BBQs in the park, if anyone walked past and looked even slightly interested, we'd smile at them for a start. How else can people (shy-er types) know you'd welcome them?
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