A New Beginning-The Open Church

Our church meeting Sunday was...ummm....different. If you've visited CrossBridge before you're probably thinking to yourself, "Duh. THIS Sunday was different." Well, it was different, even for us. And no, we didn't dress up and sing hymns. But we did put all the chairs in a circle and have a conversation together about how we at CrossBridge need to go further, deeper, more radically different from church-as-normal. Just because we are accepting of how people dress, what they drink and that we have cool music and a smoke break doesn't mean we're any closer to church life as described in the New Testament. We must hold on to what we've got, but grow in relationship, prayer and spontaneity. We talked about the early church and how each member came not to receive but to give. We talked about how they were free to share and pray for others as they felt led, without worrying about interrupting the sermon. And we didn't just talk about it. We prayed for some hurting people, and some folks shared the good things God has done for them. And it was beautiful. And exciting. And different, even for us. There will be more of this. We have started a new adventure as a church. We are starting a journey and Sunday was only the first couple steps. We've dug up an out of print book called "The Open Church" and are passing it around. If are a part of CrossBridge and you'd like to receive a copy to borrow or have, please let me know.