One week.
That's how long we have until Collective Church is officially born into existence--becoming a church that gathers for services every week; a church where people come to ask their questions, heal from their wounds, and engage in conversation.
This is not the path I thought I was on.
I thought I was on a path of very little resistance--a path on which I had comfort and security; a path on which very little was required of me. I thought I was on a path of working for large churches, writing sermons for other preachers, and ghostwriting the occasional book.
However, after five months without a church home, my path (and my family's path) is about to change forever, and I could not be more excited.
When the path that you're on changes--with or without your consent--it can be terrifying. It forces you to question your calling and your function in the world. However, it can also be liberating, because perhaps the new path is the thing you were born to do.
The path I was on was filled with other people who constantly were asking questions about how big a church can get, how much money a church can raise, and how many campuses a church can have. I don't begrudge anyone that path, but it certainly is not a path I was meant to travel.
I'm much more interested in creating space for people who want to engage in conversation. I'm interested in doing something that I love and that I believe in.
To be perfectly honest, I have no idea how many people will respond to what we're doing at Collective Church. This could be something big, but in all likelihood, it will probably be something that remains somewhat small, and I am fine with that. I would rather have ten people who are engaging in the conversation than a thousand who don't care. I would rather be part of a small community where people are free to travel their own journeys than a large community that expects everyone to agree with everyone else.
Regardless of its eventual size or shape, Collective Church starts one week from today--Sunday, February 16.
So I will spend this week preparing--working on my sermon, ordering lots of donuts, and praying. Lots and lots of praying.
Thanks for reading. I will look forward to sharing what happens next, whatever that may be.
Grace and peace.