A BLEAK SCENARIO - NO CHURCHES ALLOWED

If all church buildings in Canada were banned, burned down, confiscated or taxed into closure, would we refer to our movement as a churchless Christianity? My own answer is a resounding "No!"

In that bleak hypothetical scenario, Christians particularly would understand and society and judicial authorities would eventually realize that church is Christ within people; is God-filled Christ followers, unquenchable, destined for glory. Wherever they meet, they are church. Stop them from meeting and they still are the church.

This triumphant outlook is possible because Jesus loves his church, referring to the church in the feminine (her). She, the church, is his bride. He laid his life down for her and he promised to never leave her or forsake her. Not only would he build his church but he would also complete that work which he started. All these promises are fulfilled irrespective of deeded properties and towering edifices. His work with his church nears completion in remote villages, in downtown city cores, high in mountain communities, in the squalor of refugee camps, in the quiet of a student lounge and in the confines of a prison conference room.

Possibly my preferred take-away from these comments is that each reader who follows Jesus, should pledge today to be conscious that he or she represents Jesus and is an integral member of God's ongoing church building mission which may involve your love, words and life touching someone else with eternal results. Someone today may meet Jesus Christ and in that meeting find forgiveness, peace, salvation, life, joy, hope and a new network - Christ's church. In the instant of that surrender and faith, there is undeniable connection with the past and the present and the future of all the believers in Jesus as Son of God.

CHURCH @ THE STRIP CLUB/BAR (part 2)

Jack & Sharon Ninaber

Jack doesn't preach a sermon but instead arranges for guests to share stories that are uplifting and inspire hope, optimism and courage, maybe even faith if God. Sharon and Jack and their colleagues arrive on Sunday to host Church at the Manor. They are the church; the church in action. They lay out an array of sumptuous food for a 12:30 pm start; set up the venue chairs so they can see the speaker and the worship leaders; cover up the 'girlie' posters; hang a few engaging pieces appropriate to the purpose and the people come, seventy to one hundred people, who would never be found in a conventional church. Among those attendees are people who in recent months have put their trust in Christ, have even been baptized to declare that faith. They are the church too -  the Church at the Manor.

Some folk in nearby chapels and churches have said that what's happening at the Manor is not really church. I understand the reticence. It's that to which these recent articles have been speaking. I have stated before that church happens anywhere. Church is not a building even though in common idiom we associate the word that way. As Jack puts it, "For us, it's not telling people to go to church. It's telling people they can have a relationship with Jesus. Even in a bar."

Many who come, walk the short distance from Sue's Inn next door, a transitional housing unit for homeless folks who are struggling with additions or are recently out of jail and want to be clean and free. That's owned by Roger Cohen who also owns the Manor. Jack Ninaber has also extended his invitation to patrons of the downtown Drop-In Centre and to anyone in the city who wants to take part in a different kind of worship. He'll provide transportation to drop-in clients.

You may feel like you would like to help this effort, this ministry. Someone in Vancouver financed a Christmas meal for them this year. I am sure they would welcome you financial help and your prayers. If you care to correspond with Jack and/or Sharon about this ministry you can reach them at manor@ercf.ca

Here are some links to the story when the work began:

From the New York Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/canadian-gentlemen-club-turns-christian-church-service-easter-sunday-article-1.1764141

From the Guelph Mercury:  http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/4478076-guelph-strip-club-becomes-church-on-sundays/

CTV News Kitchener:  http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/guelph-gentlemen-s-club-to-start-hosting-church-service-1.1784066

From the Guelph Tribune:  http://www.guelphtribune.ca/community/easter-with-difference-at-church-at-the-manor/

CHURCH CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE

In principle we all know that church is people rather than place. Christine and I stopped for an ice cream cone. The proprietor of the Bluebird Cafe & Ice Cream Kiosk, a handsome young man said he was closing up but he agreed to serve us.  We asked why he was closing up at 5PM. He told us that on Tuesday nights he and a group of people held a Bible study there. We asked whether anyone was welcome and he said of course. We told him we would like to stay. That night we met and spoke with a group of people seeking to grow spiritually and also seeking ways in everyday life to make Christ known to the community.

Church is more than a place to go. In practice the edifice where Christian worship and ceremony takes place cannot easily be dismissed from one's understanding of church. Chapels, temples, cathedrals, sanctuaries and churches possess familial, historic, artistic significance and it's difficult to consider respectful, sacred ceremony anywhere else. Yet some have rethought church. Building costs today are excessive where I live because of programming needs, building codes, parking requirements, audio-visual technical preferences, food services, and special needs. For many years, new churches have been forced to lease space in schools and commercial buildings. If we truly believe that church can happen anywhere, then meeting in the mall, in a theatre, in a storefront is fine because church is more than a place.

We have friends who are key influencers in a new church that meets in a strip club and bar with an adjoining hotel called Sue's Inn.  The motel houses people that are trying to kick addictions, stay clean and sober. The owner heard our friends' vision and said, “So let me get this right, you want to bring light into a very dark place,” and then he granted permission to rent the bar in order to create church. It's called, Church at the Manor. They are eight months into this venture. I'll tell you more about it later.  That's an excellent illustration that church can happen anywhere, don't you agree?