rUrevolutionary.com - the secret

Taylor and I had a great weekend hanging out in the New York City area. We enjoyed a prolonged conversation with Jared Looney over an extended Italian lunch on Saturday and coffee and dinner with Ben Cheek that evening, during which we gleaned much from a couple of guys who have been proclaiming Jesus in an urban context for quite a while now. (the Loonies and their team in the Bronx; the Cheeks in Jersey City, NJ)

On Sunday morning, we joined the Bronx Fellowship crew for a special assembly in a local school in correlation with a conflict resolution seminar they offered Monday night. They only rarely get the whole group together for a time of worship (the church meets in the apartments of its members), usually only for special seminars or classes. Many of the BF “regulars” were out of town, but we were able to see that the BF is a prayerful community that expects to see the lives of its members transformed by Jesus Christ. In fact, we prayed corporately and passionately over a member of the church who is struggling to break free from addiction.

What began as Jared moving to the city 6 years ago turned into one house church … and 6 years later, at least 10 vibrant communities exist in multiple burroughs in two states in the Metro area. Believers from all over are continually drawn to the movement; its first 2-year apprentice will soon be replaced by another apprentice, and this summer, seven interns (6 from ACU) will temporarily join God’s work in NYC.

Could God be birthing something similar in Boston? In Abilene, TX? In Chicago? Based on early evidence, this seems to be the case.

But if precedents like New York are any reflection, we needn’t complicate things more than they need to with all the frills humans tend to add to God’s redemptive work. Ask the high school girl who came to know Jesus and kick drugs through a simple conversation and the love of some imperfect Christians what’s important. Or the addict we prayed for on Sunday.

Based on what we saw in NY this past weekend, the following things — though not bad or evil themselves — are probably unnecessary for this movement to occur: property (besides apartments), a big budget, a worship minister, preaching, gospel tracks, a slick marketing campaign, frequent large-group gatherings …

What is necessary? The lives of people broken for the sake of the world, engaging and critiquing the culture, becoming like Jesus more every day.
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On a related note, I loved this quote from Terry Rush in the comments section on this PreacherMike post:

The reason “The Secret” is best known for being “out of stock” at local bookstores is because the world is clamoring for hope. Why didn’t it find it in Christianity? Because we took the light out of its socket so we could inspect the finer details of the wiring.

Society is willing to give their devotion to the light….but not to the ornate lampstand and its well-decorated shade.

Tags: New York, Jesus, movement,