New Forms of Church



I think we don’t  just need new wrapping for the church in America– we need a brand new shape altogether.  As I ponder my work with churches, I feel like the salt water taffy that I saw being shaped in Savannah recently– pulled and stretched over and over again.  It is pulled out of shape by skilled experienced hands, hands that know what the end shape will be.  While this is a rather glamour-less example, when compared to the Biblical example of the potter, its the same idea.  The problem is, we have been pushed into shape by a cooky cutter called American Church Life, rather than being shaped by the pressure and tension of the Master’s hands.  I think in many cases we assume what church should be like, and repeat or re-dress what others have done before us.

I’ve written about this in recent blog at http://www.shapevine.com/pg/blog/dmills1/read/18981/imagination-in-bondage if you would like to think with me some about this topic.

What should the primary shaping forces of the the forms and expressions of church– I think it is simple–whatever the best cultural expression is that FOLLOWS the mission.  Mission first, kingdom impact in people’s lives first, then church forms itself in that setting.  That’s a lot different than “build it and they will come.”

Awesome Ideation Experience



First Compassion by Design Coaching Group Wrap Up



A Rhythm Beyond Random