The Missoula Project

Spring Fling Party!

2008-05-12T10:56:00.003-07:00

Hey, it's that time of year again: the weather's changing, the flowers are blooming, and we're throwing another party for friends! It's our Spring Fling Party, and now that we have a new name - All Souls Missoula - we actually have a great reason to celebrate. We'd love to have you come join us!

If you like great Mexican food and killer margaritas, you definitely won't want to miss this event. Friends, family, and kids are all welcome. If you haven't been to one of our parties yet, why not join us for this one! Here's the skinny...

WHEN: this Friday, May 16 @ 7 PM
WHERE: the Cryder's place (2307 River Road)
WHO'S INVITED: you are! (along with anyone you'd like to bring)

Please RSVP if you'd like to come so we know how much food to prepare. Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) for details.

Change is in the Air!

2008-05-07T15:58:00.001-07:00

It's springtime in Missoula, and there are some major changes in the air!

First and foremost, The Missoula Project has a new name! - Most of you know that we deeply value community, one where anyone is welcome regardless of their convictions (or lack thereof). We have long said that if we can create a truly diverse community of friends, the "church" part of what we're doing will follow naturally, and it is! As we move towards formal worship this fall, now we actually have a name: All Souls Missoula!

We believe this says a lot about the kind of church we want to be, and we are really excited to see it emerge. A new website and logo will be coming soon. In the meantime, we just want to say thanks to all of you (believers and unbelievers alike!) who have helped make this thing a reality. We are so glad to have you following along!
Sunday nights are moving! - Yes, we love to pack people into our house. At the same time, it's been increasingly obvious that we need more space for informal worship. Beginning this Sunday, May 11 we'll be meeting downtown at 147 W Broadway in the Creative Catering space (entrance by the hair salon on Ryman Street). If you've been curious about how we worship, why not drop in on Sunday and see our new digs?
Spring Fling Party - we'd like to celebrate all this change that is in the air! On Friday May 16th we're throwing a party at the Cryder place, and you are invited! Please put it on your calendars! More details later this week...

Earth Day Celebration

2008-04-14T14:51:00.006-07:00

Admit it - all this spring weather makes you want to get out of the house and hang out with friends, doesn't it. So why not celebrate Earth Day with us this weekend?

1. On Saturday morning we'll be gathering at Caras Park between 9:30 and 9:45 AM to help clean up the Clark Fork! This will probably wrap up by noon, and it's a great thing to bring your kids to!

2. Later that evening we'll get together for a good old fashioned spring barbecue. There will be plenty of wine and beer to wash down one of Marilyn's legendary Hawaiian burgers around the firepit. We'd love to have you join us, even if you can't make it to the morning cleanup!

WHEN: this Saturday, April 19 @ 7 PM
WHERE: the Cryder's place (2307 River Road)
WHO'S INVITED: Friends, family... everyone!

Please RSVP if you'd like to come so we know how much food to prepare. Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) for details.

Calendar

2008-04-07T17:30:00.013-07:00

Hey folks! Here's what happening at All Souls Missoula this week (June 10) as we head into summer (rain, rain, rain!)...

New!

Tuesday Night Q&A - Beginning this coming week (June 16), we're going to try something new for a couple of weeks. On Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM we'll be hosting an open dinner at the Cryder house (2307 River Road). While this is especially for those who are new to the Christian faith (or still outside of it), anyone is welcome to come, and any question is fair game, whether it's about something we said on Sunday, or just something that's been puzzling you for a while. It's a great chance to ask questions, hear what others are wrestling with, and share a meal with friends at the same time. If you have questions, please contact Christian (529-5568) for details. If you're interested in coming, all you have to do is show up!

Informal Worship

Informal Worship - Sundays at 5 PM downtown (147 W Broadway in the Creative Catering space - entrance on Ryman Street) as we worship together. It's a casual, come as you are environment where anyone is welcome (whether you share our convictions or not). Kid friendly, with a great meal afterwards. Whether you are a follower of Jesus, or simply curious in understanding Christianity better, we'd love to have you join us.

Regular Groups & Gatherings

Morning Prayers - If you are a person who prays, or if you simply wonder how Christians pray, consider joining us on Tuesday mornings from 6 - 6:30 AM @ the Cryder's as we pray for our city, our friends, and one another.
Community Groups [details] - on hiatus for the summer. Use the break to grab your friends and love on the city.
Bible Reading Group - Interested in actually reading the Scriptures but finding it hard to do on your own? Join us on Fridays at 7AM @ Bagels on Broadway downtown. This month we're reading through the books of Joshua and 1 Thessalonians. Grab a bagel and a cup of coffee, and talk with friends about what you read during the week. For details, contact Nick (370-0648).
Kettlehouse Fridays - Join us on Friday afternoons from 5 - 6:30 PM @ the Kettlehouse as we catch up on life after a hard week of work. We think Jesus would like this place. Plus it's a great way to meet friends new and old, and catch up on life after a hard week of work.

That's it for this week! If you have questions about any of these events, please contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) for details.

See you soon,
Christian & Ryan
http://missoula-project.blogspot.com/

ps - as always, if you want to stop receiving these updates, just hit reply and type 'unsubscribe'

Easter Sunday

2008-03-23T07:23:00.002-07:00

As Easter approaches, it seems Christians inevitably focus on why Jesus had to die. That's certainly important, but Scripture goes further - it insists Jesus had to rise, to live, too. And that raises an interesting question: Why? Why did Jesus HAVE to rise?

We'll wrestle with that question this Easter Sunday - what difference does the resurrection of Jesus actually make, anyway?

Whether you are a longtime follower of Jesus, or someone who hasn't given Jesus much thought in a long time, we'd love to have you join us for informal worship followed by a dinner with friends, this Sunday evening, @ 5 PM, at the Cryder's (2307 River Road).

Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) for details or directions.

A Party for St. Patrick

2008-03-07T10:57:00.006-07:00

It's official! The sun showed it's face in Missoula last week, which means its high time for a party. Come hoist a pint in honor of St. Patrick (and to toast our friend Janicka Umile for turning 40!). Great food & drink, with plenty of interesting characters and conversation (assuming you show up, of course). Here's the skinny:

WHEN: Saturday, March 15, from 7 PM until the leprechauns get sleepy
WHERE: @ the Cryder's place (2307 River Road - holler for directions)
WHAT TO BRING: a healthy appetite, a hearty thirst, and a friend or two!

So clear your calendar, RSVP el pronto (so we know how much food to prepare), and help us spread the word! If you haven't been to a Missoula Project party yet, you won't know what you're missing until you come!

Hope to see you soon!
Christian & Ryan

Explorers Group (Redux)

2008-01-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

NEWS FLASH - we're starting up another Explorers Group (two of them in fact).

The basic gist however is simple - once a week we get together as a group of friends, to share a meal and talk about who Jesus is and what he claimed. This is a great place to figure out what you think, to develop an informed opinion by actually examining the source documents of the Christian faith.

The group runs 7 weeks. Any question is fair game, you can say as much or as little as you like, and you'll always be treated respectfully (whether you agree with anyone else or not). If you'd like to know more, you can read all the gory details here.

If you'd like to actually join us, there are two options to choose from:

Thursdays from 12-2 PM @ Sean Kellys - this is a small, intimate group, where we talk about Jesus over lunch and a beer.
Thursday evenings from 6:30-9 PM @ the Cryders - this is a slightly larger group, where we share a nice sit-down meal and then dialogue afterwards. [Let us know if you need help w/ childcare]

Both groups start Thursday, Jan 31, and they run in sync (so it's possible to attend the lunch group one week and the evening group the next). There is no obligation, and no one will hound you if you decide not to come back. If you'd like more information, contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468). Hope to see you soon!

So What Do You Think...

2008-01-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

Once people find out we're pastors, we inevitably get questions that run something like this: "So what do you think about... ?" You fill in the blank: whether it's women or pot, homosexuality or hell, just insert your favorite issue and you'll get the gist.

Questions like these are hard to answer. Not because we don't have positions, but because you never know for sure what the asker is after. Are they really interested in understanding what I believe and where I'm coming from? Or is this simply just another a litmus test - a quick way to determine whether I'm a friend or foe?

You know what I'm talking about here - agree with me and we're pals, I will lavish my affection upon you; disagree and we're enemies, and will punish you with my disapproval, I will cut you out of my life. Fundamentalist Christians do this all the time, but so do fundamentalist pagans (and so do all of us in between, because we all naturally tend to surround ourselves with people who agree with us).

But it's a scorched earth policy on all accounts, because the only relationships that come from this kind of approach are either contingent (they depend on a list of things we must first agree upon) or superficial (they require us not to be honest about what we really think). Yet what are most of us looking for? Relationships that are deep and honest, relationships where we can be ourselves and be accepted in spite of ourselves.

So how DO we try to answer questions like these? Let me see if I can make this real, by picking something controversial, and trying to illustrate how I'd explain it.

What if someone asked me me about Jesus - is he the only way to get to God? I mean, come on, that seems so exclusive, so judgmental of others! Surely we don't believe something like that do we? What do I say?

Well actually, yeah, we do. But maybe not for the reasons you might think. And before I'd ever want to talk about my opinions, I'd much rather hear yours first: What do you think? And why?

That first part (the 'what') is important, because I'm really interested in knowing where you're coming from. And the second part (the 'why') is even more crucial, because it's going to tell me something about who you are, about how you see the world, about the concerns that are driving your question in the first place.

If you think that Jesus isn't the only way to get to God, maybe it's because that's all you've ever heard from those around you, maybe you've just never really thought about it.

Or maybe you've known people who thought he was the only way, and then they tried to shove it down everyone else's throat, maybe you just swore you'd never be like those people.

You see, there are a plethora of reasons for why people believe what they believe, and if we don't take the time to really listen, it's easy to end up speaking past one another.

Ok, so now I know about what you think; it's my turn, you say, ante up: what does Christian Cryder believe?

Alright, I'll tell you. I do believe Jesus is the only way to get to God. And yeah, it does sound exclusive at first blush. But even as I acknowledge that, I'd like to qualify it with two really important considerations.

First, I'd like you to consider WHY I think that.

If I am clinging to that belief, the idea that Jesus is the only way to get to God, in order to make myself feel superior to you (because I 'get it' and you don't), if I am using that 'truth' to feel better about myself while I look down on you, then I would be the kind of person Jesus calls a hypocrite and you would be absolutely right in rejecting me for it.

BUT, if I embrace the idea that Jesus is the only way to get to God, not because I like it, not because I think I'm better than you, but simply because Jesus himself claimed that, well... you may still have a beef with Jesus. Maybe he's wrong. Maybe we're just stupid for believing him.

But at the very least, I would hope that you could see that we're just being honest and authentic, even when it's unpopular. And I would hope you could at least respect us for that, even if you never agree with us.

So that's the first thing I want you to hear - that it's not just what we believe, but why we believe. Motivation matters bigtime.

And here's the second thing - I would want you to know that even if you completely disagree with us on this issue (the idea that Jesus is the only way to get to God), you are still completely welcome in our church and as our friends. Far too often, what gets communicated non-verbally in conversations like this is that you need to agree with us in order to have a relationship with us. And we think that is wrong.

We want to be really clear - we will never, ever reject you simply because you can't agree with us on something. We value you as you are, we want to listen to you well, to understand where you're coming from, and we invite you to speak into our lives (because maybe you see something we don't).

Maybe we need you, maybe you need us. But neither of us will ever know where we're blind if we only surround ourselves with people who agree...

So there you have it. That's how I'd answer that question, and that's how I'd preface just about any answer I give on anything. But why am I sharing all of this in the first place?

Part of it's in response to a question from Graham (in the comments, over here). He raised some specific issues, and I want to explain why we don't just respond to stuff with a list of bullet points: "Here's what we think on this, that, and the other..."

Polarized issues are hard to talk about. It takes a commitment to relationship, even if we don't agree. And these kinds of questions are often best discussed in person, over a meal or a beer, rather than in an impersonal forum like a web site. So that's why we don't just run straight to into a discussion.

Nevertheless, these are good questions, and they do need to be discussed, because ultimately, someone like Graham doesn't just need to know what we believe - he needs to know why we believe it, to figure out whether we're hypocrites to be rejected, or fools to be pitied. And to do that, he's going to have to spend some time getting to know us, our character. It's going to take time, relationship, and conversations.

It's also going to take getting to know the Jesus of the Scriptures (at least a little), since that's who Christians claim as their ultimate authority.

At the end of the day, that's the only way to tell whether we're being consistent (eg. whether we look, act, and think like Christ). It's also the only way to ever develop an informed opinion about Jesus (eg. by looking at what he says himself, not just what others say about him). Maybe he's a sham. Or maybe he's not. But you'll never know without examining him.

We want to welcome that kind of conversation, not stifle it. So what do we think? Lets get together and talk about it...

Scandalized

2007-12-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

Many of you who are reading this probably found your way here via Jessie McQuillan's recent article on us in the Indy (12/20/07). Welcome to the Missoula Project.

I haven't read what Jessie's written yet, but from what I know of her character and caliber, I suspect she'll give us a fair shake. She turned over lots of stones, asked a ton of questions, and scurried down on all sorts of rabbit trails (which is precisely what good journalists do).

And we encouraged her to call it like she saw it. At the very least, the story should be interesting (we provided plenty of fodder, and Jessie knows how to write). But if you came here looking for us to rant about the press, you'll be disappointed. Sorry.

So why else might you be here?

Some of you might be here because you're curious. Maybe you're looking for community, maybe you're looking for a church, maybe you're just looking.

Whatever the case: welcome. Take a look around. Make yourself at home. Just be forewarned, if you're expecting "yet another evangelical church," we're probably not it. At least not in the way you might expect. So ask lots of questions. Figure out what makes us tick. See if we're on the same page. If so, great. And if not, that's fine.

Of course, some of you are here for a different reason: you're skeptical. And that's good too. You should be. But maybe not for the reasons you might think. After all, much of what passes for Christianity these days probably isn't.

So how do you discern the real from the fake?

If you're like me, you probably start by looking for the dirt. The fine print. The skeletons in the closet. After all, everyone has them. It's like that classic line from the Princess Bride: "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something."

The same thing applies to the church - anyone who claims theirs isn't dirty is probably selling something. In fact, when it comes to church, 'dirt' is actually part of the definition: if Jesus came for "sinners" rather than "saints" we shouldn't be surprised when they show up in church. That's who it's there for - broken people who aren't all cleaned up.

So what we're really looking is a particular kind of dirt. You know what I'm talking about. It's the hypocrisy. The scandal. These are the reasons we (rightly) write off churches.

And that's why some of you are here. To figure out our scandal.

Once again, though, it might not be what you expect.

Here's the deal. If you spend any amount of time poking around our site, or reading Jessie's article, or just hanging out with us, you are going to find things that seem scandalous. Guaranteed.

Some of you, for instance, will be appalled to learn that we actually baptize babies (gasp!), or that we dig 16th century theologians like Martin Luther and John Calvin (shudder!). Others will be horrified to discover we think the Bible is God's word (puh-lease), and that Jesus really meant it when he said he was the only way to get to God (how narrow minded!).

Oh yeah, we forgot to mention that we belong to a denomination that doesn't ordain women. And we like to drink and smoke. Sometimes we even cuss.

At this point, pretty much everyone in the world reading these words is seething in rage at something I just mentioned (kind of a funny picture, don't you think?).

But that's precisely the point - if you get to know any church well enough, you will discover some thing that just scandalizes you. And you'll be so pissed off you have to walk away.

Eventually (if you last that long), you'll either stop walking back into churches altogether (many do), or you'll start choosing not to look in any closets (don't ask, don't tell, and maybe no one will get hurt). The problem with the first approach is that you cut yourself off from community; and with the second you end up settling for something that's not real community anyway. It's a lose-lose situation.

And that's not just the nature of church - that's the nature of every relationship.

If I could pick any person in the world, and see them deeply enough, read their mind, discern their motives, look beneath the veneer, I'll bet I would find something that I despise.

Why? Because they are not me.

That's how all of us work. And that brings us to the real scandal (the 'scandal behind the scandal').

It's not that there are things about us (or any church, or any person) that positively piss you off, that make you want to walk away and never look back. Nope, that's suprisingly un-scandalous.

The real scandal is that some people who feel exactly like you do - positively scandalized by something we believe - will nevertheless choose to be a part of this crazy church thing called the Missoula Project. Some will. Some already have.

And the real question is how to explain that.

Why on earth would someone who's diametrically opposed to us - on theology, or Jesus, or the pro-life issue, or whatever - still be attracted enough by what's happening here to actually pitch in and get involved? To talk rather than walk, to engage rather than bail. To listen, to learn, and to love one another deeply, even if we don't share convictions about some really big things.

To us, that's the real scandal, and the the real story. I don't know whether Jessie will capture that, or if she'll even try. But if I was looking for dirt, that's where I'd start.

So there you have it. Food for thought. Or ammo for the guns. Either way, we'd love to talk about it over coffee or a beer. And now you know where to find us...

Christmas Eve Service

2007-12-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

Every year, it seems Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, less and less meaningful. And far too often, our response is simply to try and cram more 'holiday season' into our already packed schedules - more parties, more decorations, more presents (they always seem to cost more too), more stuff that needs to get done before we can actually sit down with family and friends. Then suddenly, before you know it - *poof!* - another Christmas come and gone. Too often, the only thing that remains is a feeling that we'd like to do it differently next year.

What would it look like to actually inhabit Christmas - not the cheesy Hallmark version that gets peddled to us every October through December, but the real Christmas, the ancient version, that one that goes all the way back to events so significant it actually moved people, reordered their entire year, their lives?

Would would it be like to experience that kind of Christmas - be it ever so briefly - the kind where God reaches down from the heavens and touches humanity? I'm not sure how we get there. But I know I'd like to try. And I suspect that it's only going to happen in a community of friends who share that same desire, rather than off on my own.

So here's the deal. We'd like to invite you to join us for an informal Christmas Eve service from 7-8 PM on Mon, Dec 24 @ the Cryder's. Anyone is welcome, even if you've never been to anything before, even if you're not sure whether you believe in Jesus or not. A time to sing, to listen, to contemplate, to make the Christmas story our own, all with friends.

If you don't have any plans for Christmas Eve, we'd love to have you join us. Contact Christian (529-5568) if you have questions or need directions.

1st Annual Christmas Party

2007-12-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

It's official! We're throwing our 1st annual Missoula Project Christmas Party and we'd love to have you and your friends join us! Here's the skinny...

festivities start on Friday Dec 14, at 7 PM
we'll be having fine wine and amazing tapas (light appetizers)
beginning at 9:30 PM we'll have live music by local legend, David Boone! (if you missed him at the Wilma, you can catch him in our basement)
because of space considerations, we're asking parents to get a sitter for young children, and we're limiting attendance to the first 50 folks who RSVP (which means, you probably ought to click that link RIGHT NOW and let us know you'd like to come el pronto, before someone else does first!)

Here's one other thing. Normally, Missoula Project parties are completely free of charge. This time around though, we'd like to do something special for some people in our community who could use our help. Here's the skinny.

Would you consider making a tax deductible donation (~ $10/person) when you arrive? The Missoula Project will match all funds raised (up to $1000) and use them to help "adopt" two or three single mothers in our community who don't have any other support network. We'd like to help them with Christmas presents, clothes for their kids, unpaid bills, as well as any physical needs. We'd like to brighten their holiday season, but we'd also like to be a resource for these women all year long.

Would you help us with this effort? Even if you can't come to the party, you can still contribute to this effort - simply make out a check to the "Missoula Project" and write "single moms" in the memo line. You'll get a receipt for financial purposes at the end of the year. We'll keep you posted on how the money gets spent.

In addition, we may identify additional non-monetary physical needs - like helping to install a new water heater, or passing along some toys that your kids have outgrown, or maybe just being willing a mother's children so she can have a break. If you'd be interested in helping us think creatively about meeting some of these less tangible needs, please let Austen (218-8181) know.

We look forward to celebrating Christmas with you, and we invite you to help us make someone else's Christmas a little better while we're at it.

Things We Do

2007-12-04T12:13:00.002-07:00

The Missoula Project is a work in progress.

Our ultimate goal is to start a church (you probably knew that already). But for us, 'church' is something that is much bigger than a building, a service on Sundays. It's more than just rite and ritual (although those are important). At its best, we believe the church is something that functions all week long, and that it's fundamentally a community - not just for those who believe, but also for those who don't. A place where people can be honest about who they are, and who they're not.

This is the kind of place we're working to create. A place where relationships run deep. A place where friendship is not contingent. A place where you can put all your baggage on the table and not get rejected for it. A place where you can be accepted as you are, whether or not you agree with us about Jesus.

That's what we're working for. And we do a number of things in pursuit of this goal...

Kettlehouse Fridays - most Friday afternoons, we gather at the KHole between 5 and 6:30 PM because we think Jesus would like this place. Plus it's a great way to meet new friends and catch up on life after a hard week of work.
Second Sunday Soundoffs - we believe ideas matter, and the best place to work on those ideas is in the context of community. So most months we'll gather on the second Sunday for a great meal and a lively discussion. You can read more about it here...
Explorers Groups - throughout the year, we offer a 7 week course specifically for skeptics, doubters, and people with questions to take a firsthand look at the Jesus of the Bible. Folks who have participated tell us this is one of the coolest groups they've experienced. You can read more about it here...
Informal Worship - once a week we gather as friends to worship Jesus and share a meal together. It's a casual, come as you are environment where anyone is welcome, whether you share our convictions or not. If you are a follower of Christ, or someone who is simply spiritually curious, we would love to have you join us. It happens 5 PM on Sundays at the Cryder's (2307 River Road).
Community Groups - community groups are a chance to see how the message of Jesus shapes would shape us as a community of faith (one that includes believers and unbelievers alike). We meet weekly to share a meal as friends, to wrestle with Scripture, and to ponder how we can work for the good of the city. You can read more about it here...
Morning Prayers - throughout the ages, those who follow Christ have engaged in prayer, not just as individuals, but in community. If you are a person who prays, or if you simply wonder how Christians pray, we'd like to invite you to join us on most Tuesday mornings from 6-6:30 AM (yes, that's insanely early, but we'll have hot tea and fresh roasted coffee, and you'll be participating in one of the most ancient traditions of the Christian faith, which might just be worth it). Please contact us for more details.
Vision Dinners - it seems like we're constantly making new friends, meeting new folks with an interest in what we're doing. Every couple of months, we'll be hosting a dinner where people who are curious can hear about our vision and ask questions. Please contact us if you'd be interested in attending one...

As you can see, there's a lot going on right now. Eventually, we'll also begin gathering to worship together, but we've got a lot to learn first, and we'd love to have you be a part of that process.

Specifics vary from week to week, so the best way to stay connected is to subscribe to the weekly mailing list. We'd love to have join us in this adventure!

Community Groups

2007-12-03T14:04:00.003-07:00

In addition to informal worship on Sundays, we also gather regularly in small groups during the week to share a meal and talk about how we are personally processing this whole "message of Jesus" thing. We call these get-togethers "community groups"...

Q: "So, um, what exactly IS a community group?"

A: Glad you asked. Quite simply, it's a diverse gathering of friends who are seeking to foster deeper sense of community by working on our spirituality together. It's a community of faith, but it's one where you don't need believe before you can belong - you don't have to share our convictions in order to be a vital part of who we are and what we are about. Really.

Q: "Well who's it for?"

A: Another great question, and here's the answer. It's for people who are followers of Jesus. But it's also for people who aren't. And it's for everyone in between. Anyone is welcome, whether you agree with us or not. And many of our friends don't.

We think that's a good thing, because it keeps the conversations honest, and it forces us to value one another simply on the basis of who we are, not because we agree. Our commitment as Christians is that we will never try to convert you (frankly, we don't think we can). Instead, we desire to listen well, to speak respectfully, and to dialog rather than to divide.

We think this is a unique kind of community, one that is only possible based on the person and teachings of Jesus. That's our premise. Right or wrong, we invite you to visit us and decide for yourself. We consider the message of Jesus a starting point for dialog, and we'd love to have you join the conversation.

If you don't know much about Jesus yet, the Explorers Group may be a great place to start (and our friends who have participated tell us it's kind of cool to be in a group where the skeptics are the majority, and they get to ask anything they'd like).

If you're ready for a closer look at how Christ's teachings call us to live and work in community, then a Community Group might be a great place to move deeper. Again, this is for all sorts of people - those who follow Christ, and those who don't. Discover for yourself whether the type of community we're touting might actually be possible.

Q: "So when do these groups meet?"

A: We currently have groups meeting on three different nights of the week:

Midtown Group – Tues, 6 PM @ the Sutherland's (1601 W Kent).
Contact Rachel (529-2467) if you'd like to help with food.
Southgate Group – Wed, 6 PM @ the Nelson's (1928 McDonald Ave).
Contact Layci (529-2467) if you'd like to help with food.
South Hills Group – Thurs, 6 PM @ the Leary's (6872 Linda Vista Blvd).
Contact Deb (214-2267) if you'd like to help with food.

Q: "What's a typical meeting look like?"

A: We gather to share a meal, build relationships, look at the Scriptures, and consider how the message of Jesus impacts the way we live with those around us - how we work for the good of the broader community (our city and our neighborhoods), how we practice being a community with one another (as friends and neighbors).

As one of our friends put it, "I realized the other night that everything up to this point has been hypothetical. But now we've got to actually start dealing with one another. And that's great, but it's also hard, because it's revealing just how much work still needs to be done in my own life..."

Real change takes real work - it doesn't just happen on it's own. But it's easier in the context of real friendship. This isn't some academic theoretical exercise - it's real life, with real people. We laugh together, we pray for one another, we seek to listen and to love, and we try to speak gently into one another's lives. Everyone has a voice (whether you believe or not), but you're always free just to sit and listen.

Kids of all ages are welcome. So are friends. :-)

Q: "So what should I bring?"

A: Just come as you are - you don't have to bring anything. That said, a bible will comes in handy (we have extras).

More questions? Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (520-2468). See you soon!

Vision Dinners

2007-11-12T16:29:00.001-07:00

So we've been here in Missoula for over a year now, asking lots of questions, seeking to understand what makes this city great and where it still needs work. And many of you have been invaluable in this process - you've shared your insights, offered suggestions, and you've welcomed us into your lives.

Now we'd like to return the favor, by sharing what we've learned, where we're headed, and how you can be involved (whether you are a follower of Jesus or not).

In the last week of November, we'll be hosting a series of "Vision Dinners," and we'd like you to join us. There's no commitment on your end. This is simply our way of saying 'thanks' and letting you know where we see things going from here. It's a chance to share a great meal, hear about our vision, ask questions and offer feedback. It's our way of keeping you in the loop.

If you have any kind of interest in the Missoula Project - whether a lot or a little - you should really try to make one of these evenings. We hope to paint a clear picture of where we're going over the next year, how we hope to serve this community, and how we hope to be a community (where you don't have to share our convictions in order to be our friends).

WHERE: The Cryder's place (2307 River Rd).
WHEN: Wed, Nov 28; Thu, Nov 29; and Sun, Dec 2; from 6:30 - 9 PM.
WHAT: A great evening of food and friends.

So there you have it. If you're interested in coming, please let us know which nights work best for you. If you have questions, call Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468).

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Explorers Group

2007-09-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

Let's face it: most of us have questions about spirituality. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a safe place to ask them?

Introducing Explorers - a group for skeptics, doubters, and people with questions to take a fresh look at the biblical Jesus. This is not a Christian group. It's a place for the irreligious, the agnostics, the spiritually disenfranchised. It's a place for unbelievers, and for the unbeliever in all of us.

It's a place where you can be honest about what you think, and get honest answers about the Christian faith. It's a place where you can make up your own mind about historic Christianity, by looking at the sources, rather than settling for second hand opinions. It's a place where you can be yourself, have a beer, wrestle with your faith, in a community of friends who share the same questions you do.

Beginning in October, we will gather weekly to share a great meal, build meaningful relationships, and interact with the Jesus of Scripture. In 7 weeks you'll study an entire book of the Bible - the Gospel of Mark. You won't be asked to sing, pray, or do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable. You can come as you are; you can say as little or as much as you like. No one's going to nag you, try to convert you, or ask you for money.

We simply want to be a resource, to honestly answer any question you want to ask, even if it leads you to reject the very Jesus we embrace. Our goal is to give people like you the data you need to draw intelligent conclusions about one of the most influential figures in human history. And we think the best place to develop thoughtful opinions about Christ and Christianity is in a community of friends.

Sound interesting? We'd love to have you join us. For more information, browse the FAQ or contact us. We look forward to seeing you soon...

"There are great reasons for rejecting Christianity. Make sure yours is one of them."

Explorers Group - FAQ

2007-09-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Explorers Group:

Q: So are you guys Christians? Yep. Our allegiance is to the Jesus of the Bible. And we're here in Missoula to start a church that loves the city, fosters real community, and provides a safe place for people in process to figure out what they believe (even if it leads them in a different direction).
Q: Why are you doing this? That's a good question. Most of our friends here in Missoula are not Christians. At the same time, many of them are interested in thoughtful spirituality and real community, and both of those things are surprisingly hard to find. Perhaps this is because in many 'communities' (church or otherwise) there are certain things we have to think / do / believe in order to 'get in'; we're accepted because we agree. The problem here is that the relationship is contingent - if you end up thinking / doing / believing the wrong thing, you're out. And that stifles honest inquiry.

We believe there's a better way. We think we should accept people simply because they are created in the image of God. That fact alone qualifies you to be our friend. Our goal for this group is to give friends like this a place where they can safely ask any spiritual questions, to figure out what they believe, without any danger of being rejected, regardless of what conclusions they come to. If some of them end up in our church, that's great. But if they don't, that's fine too. They will always be our friends.
Q: Why are you focusing on Jesus? Isn't that a little bit narrow? See, this is why you should be coming to this group - that's a great question! :-)

Let's put it like this. We think it's good to ask hard questions of every religious leader. We're also firm believers that you should learn about a faith from someone who really buys it. We believe in Jesus. We're not convinced about Buddha or Muhammad. So how fair would it be for us to try and tell you about all three faiths? In a very real sense, we're focusing on Jesus because that's the place we feel most competent to speak.

We encourage all people to develop thoughtful positions on other faiths (that's why we ourselves seek friends who embrace other religions - so we can learn what they believe and represent them as well as possible). For this reason, people of other faiths are very welcome in this group - even if you have no interest in Jesus, you can help us see how he's similar or different to your persuasion. Plus, you can probably think of some really great questions and help keep the conversations honest.
Q: I'm not interested in Jesus. Why would I want to come to something like this? Another great question. But maybe you should flip it around and ask yourself, "Why aren't I interested in knowing who Jesus was and what he stood for?"

Quite simply, Jesus is one of the most influential figures in human history. He's made some amazing claims, and he has had an amazing impact.

What if you were trying to convince someone about the reality of global warming and they simply said, "Oh, thanks, but I'm not really interested." Wouldn't we point them to the significance of the claims and the impacts, and ask them to at least consider the data?

Similarly, what thoughtful person wouldn't want to reach an informed opinion on who Jesus is and how he managed to have such an impact? Maybe you've already done that, but most people haven't - their opinions on Jesus (and Christianity) come from anecdotal sources: friends, parents, the Jesus channel, the people who go door to door.

What if the Jesus-you-are-not interested in is actually just a caricature of the real Jesus? There really are good reasons for rejecting Christ and Christianity... but how are you going to know if yours is one of them? Wouldn't it be worth taking a good hard look at the historical documents, just to consider what Jesus actually said?
Q: Look, we don't have the original documents! And the ones we do have are full of errors and contradictions! A lot of people seem to think this, but most of them aren't aware that there's an entire field of science devoted to this issue. So here's a question for you: "Do you know how thoughtful scholars - Christians and non-Christian alike - answer those challenges?" If not, well, maybe you should come to the group and ask it! :-)
Q: What if I just like you guys, but I'm just not interested in your Jesus? We'd be flattered to say the least (and we would want you to know that we offer our friendship regardless of what you think about Jesus). But we'd also want to ask you a question in return: "What if the things you like about us, about this community, are actually the result of something Jesus is doing?" What if what you like about our relationship is actually evidence that he is real. How would you figure that out without looking at Christ?
Q: What if I'm just too busy? Look, we understand what it's like to be busy. But have you ever noticed that the more we fill up our schedules, the emptier life seems to become? Maybe what we really need is to slow down, for just one evening a week, to share a great meal and think about the big questions in life? It's worth considering...
Q: Ok, so let's say I show up. Do I have to bring anything? Nope, just come with an appetite and the toughest questions you can think of (we're serious about this!)
Q: Well, do I have to say anything? Nope. You can say as much or as little as you want. We won't ask you to sing, or pray, or give money. You can come as you are and be yourself.
Q: What if I can't come every time? That's fine. You can come once, twice, whatever you feel like. There are no obligations. No ones going to call you up or track you down if you decide not to come back.

Have a question we haven't answered? Feel free to ask us about it...

The Man Behind the Curtain

2007-09-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

Remember that scene in the Wizard of Oz, when we finally discover that "The Wiz" is just that middle aged white guy behind the curtain, and all the "magic" turns out to be mere smoke and mirrors - hi tech gizmos to make something ordinary look amazing?

If I was an outsider looking in on the Missoula Project, I'd be waiting for that moment.

Sure the parties are fun, but what comes next? Sure that post on Jesus and Pot is interesting, but when the rubber meets the road, what's it really going to look like? Sure we've got a vision for community that is open to everyone, regardless of where they are (or aren't) spiritually, but how's that actually going to pan out? After all, aren't we here to start another church, and isn't that just adding to the problem?

When are we going to see your real colors, guys? When you start holding services, or talking about Scripture, what's the 'real you' going to look like?

Yep. If I was on the outside looking in, that's the question I'd be asking.

So here's your answer. Or at least, a glimpse of an answer, a taste of where things are going. To share it, we'd like to introduce you to our good friend Tim Keller. Now, it's true we don't actually know him personally; nevertheless, we consider him our pal because of the difference he's made in our lives - in how we think about church, community, tolerance, and most importantly, about the gospel.

If you really want the dirt on us, Keller will help you uncover it. I can't guarantee we'll ever say it as well as he does, or measure up to his ministry, but he's the best example I have in terms of what we're aiming for, how we understand Jesus, what we hope to accomplish. If you want to see where we're going, this is the place to start.

[Warning up front: it might be a little scary, especially to folks who feel comfortable in their spirituality. Heck, it still scares me, and I'm a fan...]

So here's the invitation. Grab a good cup of coffee or a nice cold beer, find a comfortable chair, and listen to Keller's thoughts on The Community of Jesus.

This is Tim interacting with Jesus' most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, from Luke 6:12-36 (available here if you don't have a copy of the Bible handy), and I think he nails Jesus' message: contrary to popular opinion, it's not primarily ethical (what we need to do); instead, it's focusing on what Christ himself has already done, and how that transforms us (individually, but also as a community).

If you want to understand what drives us, this is a "must listen."

And that brings us to a second invitation. We'd actually like to hear what you think about this stuff. Agree, disagree - we're interested in it all. So much so that in the coming weeks we're going to start creating some opportunities for you to ask questions and say what you think. Some of it will happen in person, but much will take place in an online forum.

And the one thing that will make it work - kind of like the Sunday Soundoffs - is real diversity of opinion. That's why we actually want your feedback, regardless of where you are spiritually.

So here's the deal. Anyone is welcome to participate - whether you're a follower of Christ or not - but you need to ask if you'd like to have access. You can say as little or as much as you'd like. Any question is fair game. And we'll never try to "convert you" - our job is just to be honest and upfront, to explain where we're coming from and why, so that you can make up your own mind.

If you really want to see where things are going from here, this is the place to be, and Keller's comments are a great place to start.

So go ahead, take a look at the man behind the curtain. And then tell us what you think. We're looking forward to some fascinating conversations...

Supporting the Work

2007-09-16T20:33:00.003-07:00

Here at the Missoula Project, we do not pass an offering plate. However, we do depend upon financial gifts to operate. Some of you have asked how you can contribute, so here's the skinny. If you would like to support us financially, please send your check to:

The Missoula Project
P.O. Box 758
Missoula, MT 59806

If you'd like your donation to go to the poor and needy in our community, simply write "mercy" on the memo line. All gifts are tax deductible. You'll receive a statement of giving at the end of the year for tax purposes. Holler if you have questions.

Summer Solstice Party

2007-06-12T13:45:00.001-07:00

(Click image for a larger view)

It's official, we're having a Summer Solstice Party on Friday, June 22 and we'd love to have you join us. It's happening at the Cryder homestead (2307 River Road - if you've never been to our house before, it's easy to find: we're just south of the Clark Fork River, on River Road between Russell and Reserve - look for our mailbox; we're down the alley next to it).

This will be an informal affair. We'll be firing up the barbeque around 7 PM, and hanging out around the firepit until Midnight (at least). You are welcome to come when you can and stay for as long as you'd like. If you feel like bringing something - fine wine, great beer, and a friends of all sorts are always welcome. Those who appreciate a fine cigar might want to bring some of those along as well.

Additionally, if you have an artistic talent, we'd love to have you share it with us - sing a song, share a poem, spin a yarn. We enjoy this kind of thing, especially on a fine summer evening around a fire with friends. We think some of the best art happens "off the record" in community settings like these.

So slow down, and enjoy the longest day of the year. Before you know it, the summer will be over. Time to make the most of it while you still can.

If you're interested in coming, please RSVP to Christian, or call me at 529-5568. Holler if you have questions.

(ps - some people find it odd that followers of Jesus would throw parties like this; if you're curious about the theological rationale behind it, you might want to listen to Tim Keller talk about Jesus as Lord of the Wine)

What If...

2007-06-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

What if there was a church for people who have given up on church? A community of friends which...

...welcomed you as you are, regardless of your spiritual convictions?
...allowed you to be completely honest about your struggles and flaws, without rejecting you for it?
...encouraged you in your spiritual journey, wherever you are in that process?
...wasn't afraid of the hard questions, and didn't shun those who disagree?
...didn't think they had all the answers, and admitted when they were wrong?
...met real needs in the city, without asking for anything in return?
...cared about things that matter - about the arts, community, and the environment; about peace, justice, and reconciliation?
...believed it is possible to know God and experience him - to embrace the historic Christian faith without turning off your brain?
...worshipped God with creativity, mystery, and artistry?
...tried hard to honor Christ by taking all of his teachings seriously - both to the irreligious and the religious alike?
...welcomed all types of people, no matter what?

The Missoula Project is a grassroots effort to be this kind of church, by being this kind of Christian. And we believe the only thing that makes this kind of community possible is a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ. We realize the magnitude of this claim, but we ourselves have found it to be true.

So we invite you to check us out - drop in, hang out, ask hard questions, watch us when we're not looking. When we say all are welcome, we mean it. We're willing to let you to decide for yourselves, and we look forward to hearing what you think.

Second Sunday Soundoff

2007-06-04T13:02:00.001-07:00

Q: What the heck is Second Sunday Soundoff?

A: Second Sunday Soundoff (for lack of a better name) is a once-a-month opportunity to meet with friends, share a great meal, and discuss things that matter, not as experts, but as ordinary people seeking to live meaningful lives.

We believe that ideas are important, and the best way to work on them is in the context of community - the more diverse the better (yes, we really mean that). Each time we get together, we'll discuss one or two topics, taken from newspapers, magazines, film, or just your own fertile mind. We've discussed such things as technology, peace, justice, sex, self-esteem, and aliens (yes...aliens - the E.T. variety).

The purpose is not to promote any particular viewpoint or agenda - it's to stimulate thought and cultivate dialog (which just might deepen our own understanding). Future topics are wide open (what ideas move you?) and anyone can lead a discussion (whether you are a Christian or not).

If this sounds even remotely interesting, please come join us for the next soundoff, to see how the whole thing works and to share your own perspective. We hope you'll invite your friends too. It should be lots of fun.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending so we can know how much food to prepare.

Jesus and Smoking Pot

2007-05-31T22:10:00.000-07:00

Planting a church for the spiritually disenfranchised has it's perks - for one, you get to talk with lots of intelligent, interesting people who aren't afraid to ask tough questions about faith.

"So what do you think about smoking pot?" That's what the young woman asked me, Joe Pastor, as she leaned across the table in Wordens where we were eating lunch.

That's a good question. After all, Scripture doesn't exactly say a whole lot about the demon weed (other than in Genesis 15, where it's God doing both the smoking and the pot - bet you didn't know that was in there, did you?).

So how would you answer this? And what's the truly Christian response?

Too many times we would-be followers of Christ say little more than "Bad dog! No biscuit!" as we wag our finger disapprovingly in the asker's direction. But is there a better answer? Can we say something more? What would Jesus say if he was the one answering? Be careful not to assume this question is a gimmee.

With cases like this, I think its often helpful to consider what's NOT being asked - or rather, to ponder the question behind the question, the real premise that often lies unexpressed. You see, someone who asks this might actually be asking a several different things, for several different reasons.

For instance, he might be saying "Does God even care what I do with my body? Does this 'faith' thing have any connection with the way I live my 'real life'? Or are the two so disconnected that I can do whatever I want in the here and now as long as I 'believe in God' as being important for the hereafter?"

In a case like this, I'd want to say, "Hey, God DOES care what we do with our bodies." Jesus doesn't just come demanding intellectual allegiance - he actually has the gall to claim authority over every inch of creation, over every breath we take. Jesus demands we acknowledge him as Lord ("the big Kahuna") in everything we do. This is why he can say that ANYTHING that does not flow from faith-in-him is nothing less than rebellion, sin, wrong.

My wanting to smoke pot is nothing less than high treason if I'm pursuing it for my own sake, my own indulgence, as my own little corner of the universe where I get to do what I want, to be my own king.

And my NOT smoking pot can be exactly the same thing - just as self-serving, just as treacherous, just as wicked in God's sight.

Yes, you heard me right - choosing NOT to smoke pot could actually be a sin. (I realize it's probably been a while since you heard a pastor say that from the pulpit. Preaching is a dismal affair these days).

You see, someone might actually be asking a very different question altogether: "Does God love me more because I DON'T smoke pot?"

To restate the question slightly, "If my irreligion (my badness) results in wrath, shouldn't my religion (my goodness) earn me favor?" The answer (surpisingly) is no. Here's why.

Far too often, Christians use "sins" like smoking pot (or whatever your favorite vice might be) as both a hammer and a ladder.

As a hammer, we point to people doing "bad things" and just nail them right between the eyes with it - we withhold our approval (or dish it out) based on whether or not the person conforms with our standard of morality. But Jesus doesn't deal with people this way - he tells them to trust in his goodness, not their own.

As a ladder, we use this same standard to prop ourselves up, to give ourselves pats on the back because we're "good people", we do "good things", and we're not like all those nasty "sinners" ("Thank you God that I'm not like all those other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get. Don't you love me because I'm so good and holy and obedient?"). Jesus rightly reserves his harshest criticism for people like this - whitewashed tombs! hypocrites!

You see, we can do all the right things, but for all the wrong reasons. We can do what is "good" not because it's good, but because we see an opportunity to use that "goodness" to make ourselves look better than others. No wonder Jesus got ticked (and if Jesus is pissed, then God's not buying it either).

So in a case like this our answer should be emphatic - absolutely NOT! If you think God loves you more because you are NOT smoking pot, or less because you ARE, then you don't really understand the message of Christ. You do not know what grace is yet.

God does not wait for us to clean ourselves up. He doesn't give us an ethical standard of behavior, a set of rules, a list of dos-and-don'ts, and then lavish his affection on those who measure up, and frown disapprovingly on those who don't.

Nope, his criteria is much simpler than that: Are you family? Are you royalty? Are you a son or daughter of the King? Blood really is thicker than anything else. Especially when it belongs to Christ, poured out for us. He meets us where we are (although he never leaves us there).

In light of this, there is a very real sense where it doesn't matter one whit whether or not you are smoking pot. The only thing that matters is this: Do you have Christ as your big brother? Are you clinging to him for all your rightness and approval from God? Because he alone is the entry point to God's favor, and he's not just the door - he's the whole house and estate as well.

Jesus Christ IS the promised land. He is the bread of life. He is living water. He is everything we are looking for in everything else (including pot). He's not just for the sweet-bye-and-bye. He delivers life in the here and now.

If I have Christ, God cannot love me more than he already does. Even if I smoke pot. But everything that pot is, all the good that it gives, that's just a pale reflection, a dim echo, pointing to something bigger and better and stronger. Something that is only found in Christ.

So does God care if we smoke pot? Absolutely. And absolutely not.

Both of those statements are equally true. And the answer that is most appropriate depends entirely on the question behind the question, on where the person asking it is really coming from. It depends on her context, her motive, her heart.

And to figure that out, I'm going to have to have a relationship with her first - I'm going to have to learn to listen, to ask good questions, to discern what she's really asking. I'm going to have to learn to love her, not because she agrees with me, not because she props up my particular code of conduct, but simply because she is created in the image of God, and he loves her, even while she is still his enemy, even before she's got it all together, even while she is still a work in progress.

Just. Like. Me.

You see, even at my best, I am still a piece of work - always in process, never fully arrived. And I need to constantly remember that God loves sinners just like me, so much that he was willing to die for me. And for her. And for him.

At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is this - will I acknowledge my own inability to measure up; will I put all my hope and trust in Christ's goodness on my behalf; will I pledge my allegience to him, rather than to myself.

Does that sound scandalous? It should. Is it intoxicatingly freeing? Absolutely. Why? Because it gets me over myself, and it allows me to really love others where they are, without requiring them to change first.

I wonder how many of us are really willing to love like that?

To love Christ, not because of what he can do for us, but simply because he himself is stunningly beautiful and lovely? To love those who are different from us, even if they never change or become like us, simply because God himself has loved them first?

To love ourselves, not because of anything we do, or haven't done, but simply because God himself loves us already, because he's tickled pink with Jesus, and if we're with Christ then we're ok too - because what's ours is his, and what's his is ours, and nothing (not even pot) can separate us from the love of God.

We'd like to be a church where you can put THAT in your pipe and smoke it...

What's to Love About Missoula?

2007-05-31T13:28:00.001-07:00

As we get to know Missoula, there are a number things we've come to love about this city. We figured you might enjoy them too. (This list is by no means exhaustive, but if you're new to our community, these might be good places to start. And if you see something you think we've missed, please let us know about it...)

Arts - there's no doubt about it, Missoula is a great place for the Arts, and the quality is surprisingly high for a small town in the middle of nowhere...

Missoula Art Museum (MAM) - a first class art museum, with a great selection of Native American art)
Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) - the largest children's theatre in the world, and they do a stellar job with adult productions as well
Missoula Symphony - a great little symphony, with a brand new conductor

Breweries and pubs - there's no doubt about it, we have a soft spot for the Kettlehouse and Sean Kelly's, not just because they're great places to get a good beer, but because they're great places to hang out with friends and build relationships.
Coffee shops - Missoula is home to some remarkable places to get your daily fix. Here's a handy dandy list of our favorite spots...
Community & culture - (more info on a lot of these at the Missoula Downtown Association)

First Fridays - the first friday night of every month downtown businesses host the work of local artists. Take a stroll around downtown and enjoy!
Farmer's Market(s) - there are two, actually: the Clark Fork River Market (in Caras Park, by the fish scultures), and then the Missoula Farmers' Market (at the north end of Higgins by the train tracks).
Out to Lunch in Caras Park - where else does an entire community get together on Wednesdays for lunch?
Garden City Brewfest - second Saturday of May, downtown in Caras Park (you really don't want to miss this)
Missoula Carousel - a favorite for kids of all ages, located downtown in Caras Park

Non-profits worth supporting - Did you know that Missoula is the home to the largest number of non-profits per capita of any city in the nation? Wow! Of course, there's no way we can list them all here. Instead, we'll just share some of our favorites (and we know folks in almost all of these - we'd highly recommend them to anyone looking to volunteer in the community)...

Free Cycles - a community bike shop, where you can get help fixing your bike or building a new one. Cool.
The Poverello Center - a great organization that provides food and shelter for the homeless in Missoula.
YWCA - these folks do a lot to help women in crisis.
Youth Homes - similar to the above, but with an emphasis on kids (emergency shelter, group homes, foster care - these guys have been here for the long haul).
1st Way - a great organization serving women with unplanned pregnancies (they pregnancy tests, ultrasound, and can help women understand their options)
Garden City Harvest - they run community gardens throughout the city
Clark Fork River Cleanup - an annual earth day celebration where 300+ folks turn out to clean up the river.
Hellgate Hunters & Anglers - a local grassroots chapter of the National Wildlife Federation, these guys work hard to restore wildlife habitat and promote conservation
Sustainable Business Council - an organization dedicated to helping businesses in Missoula buy local to promote a sustainable economy.

News and events - anyone who has lived here will tell you that one of the hardest things about Missoula is keeping up with everything that is going on. Here's how we try to cope...

The Independent - Missoula's alternative newspaper (which is pretty darn mainstream, when you consider how many people read it). Great insight into some of the fascinating people that give Missoula its character...
New West Missoula - a great online site for news and views of all things Missoula
Missoula Events - a weekly calendar of what's going on here in the Garden City

Please note that none of these links imply any sort of "endorsement" on the part of the businesses or organizations referenced - many of them have no idea the Missoula Project even exists. We just think these are things worth loving in Missoula, whether you are a Christian or not...

Core Values

2007-05-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

Let's face it - the simple fact that we want to start yet another church is not necessarily a good thing, in and of itself. After all, there are plenty of churches we'd probably all be better off without.

It seems to us that what really matters is what kind of church we want to create, and why. And the best way to get at that (aside from nice long conversations over Cold Smoke) is to look at...

The Things We Value Most

Above all else, we value Christ, the Scriptures, & the church - We realize this is not exactly a popular position these days. Of course, it wouldn't be much of a core value if we only held it because it was trendy. We align ourselves with the historic Christian faith, not because we think the Christians got it all right, but rather because we think Christ got it right for us. We think this is the essence of real Christianity - to put all confidence in his perfection rather than in our own.
In an age of deep skepticism and uncertainty, we also value truth - We think people desire truth, and we believe truth is knowable. This is not to say we have it all figured out - we just believe that real Truth is accessible, because it is located in a real living person, Jesus Christ, who has been revealed to us. We believe the Christian faith is profoundly rational (it stands up to intellectual scrutiny), and that it is also existentially satisfying (it makes a real difference in our lives).
We place a premium on authenticity & integrity - We desire to be honest and upfront, not just about what we believe, but about how we as humans constantly fail to measure up to our own standards. We think real integrity requires us to admit our ongoing lack of integrity, not just in our deeds, but in our thoughts and motives too. We think the church is for sinners (like us), not the righteous. So we desire to create a community where sinful people can be brutally honest about their struggles - their doubts, their questions, and their faults - without being rejected for it.
We also value genuine community - where people are accepted not because they agree with us or affirm our position, but simply because they are our friends, created in the image of God. We believe real community meets people where they are, while at the same time caring enough to point out where we still need work. It's a fact: we are often blind to our own sins and shortcomings, even though we are very good at spotting the deficiencies in others. And this is precisely why we need community - I need others to help me see my own flaws and weaknesses, to bear these burdens with me. We are not meant to walk through life alone.
We welcome outsiders & skeptics - people in all stages of their spiritual journey, regardless of where they are (or where they end up). We appreciate questions, concerns, and doubts, even when we don't know the answers. This is true even for those who disagree profoundly - we think you should be able to be a part of what we are about, even if you don't yet believe everything (or anything!). We want our church to be a safe place for people in process to work out their faith, even if it ends up leading them down a different path than ours. We'd rather hang out with honest pagans than dishonest religionists.
We appreciate beauty, the arts, & culture - wherever we find it, whether it is "Christian" or not. We believe God is alive and well and working all over the place, and we're more than happy to celebrate the good and beautiful wherever we find it. We desire to promote these things within the broader community of Missoula, to reflect them in our worship. Ultimately, we desire to live beautiful lives that are focused outward rather than inward, in service rather than consumption.
We are committed to service & stewardship - We believe the church exists to serve - not just itself, but our neighborhoods, our community, and our environment. We need to care about things that matter, about the poor, the oppressed. We should be passionate for justice and sustainability. We seek the welfare of the city, and desire to love the city on its own terms, without strings attached. We must never think of our faith as abstract, or simply theological - real faith works, it makes things better in the world around us.
We value diversity - ethnic, cultural, economic, ideological. We believe a healthy community welcomes a wide range of perspectives and opinions. The last thing we'd want is a church full of people that look and think just like we do (trust me on this).

We also value dialogue - We think that ideas matter, and the best place to work on them is in a community where people are free to think differently. Ultimately, we believe that the Gospel gives us the ability to discuss real differences without fracturing friendships or requiring monolithic agreement. This is only possible when our identity is not tied up in what we think, do, or feel, but is instead located in who we know: Christ.

When I really understand what it means for him to accept me as I am, the acceptance of others becomes much less important. The gospel gets us over ourselves, which is vital for real dialogue in a diverse context.
We are committed to peace & reconciliation - We believe that Christ calls us to be people of peace, and that true peace always starts on a personal level, beginning with those around us. We believe we have a responsibility to seek reconciliation with those we have offended (whether intentionally or not). This happens when we confess our own faults, ask for forgiveness and seek to make amends if need be. If we have wronged someone, we are sincerely committed to making it right.
Last but not least, we value public worship - We believe that all people created to worship, but we are quick to worship all sorts of things other than the living God of the Bible. We are a people prone to idolatry (yes, even in these modern times), and part of our responsibility as a church is to call one another back to true, spiritual worship. While real worship is always more than just a Sunday service, public gatherings are certainly appropriate. It will be a while before we begin this aspect of ministry, but we'd love to have you join us when once it starts (whether you are a believer or not).

So there you have it. Not an exhaustive list, but it should help paint a picture of what we value. We welcome you to check us out, and see for yourself how we measure up...

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

2007-03-01T15:07:00.000-07:00

I picked up a book last night called The Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards - it was terrible, not because it was bad, but because it was so good: I couldn't put it down until I finished the final pages at 3 in the morning. Argh! Not a good thing, when your alarm goes off at 5:50 AM.

What fascinates me about this book is what it has to say about "secrets." Here's the basic premise (hopefully without giving too much away) - a doctor is forced to deliver his wife's child in the middle of a raging snowstorm. The only complication is that she's actually carrying twins - the first, a healthy beautiful baby boy; the second, a Downs Syndrome baby girl. The year is 1964, when such children are regularly institutionalized - after all, babies like this rarely survive long anyway, and even if they do, their quality of life is marginal at best.

As a doctor, David Henry knows his daughters prognosis full well, and rather than force his young wife Norah to deal with such a tragedy, he makes a snap decision to try and protect her from a lifetime of unspeakable grief. His solution: hand the "defective" daughter to his nurse to deliver to an institution, while he informs his wife of the tragedy - she delivered twins, but her daughter did not survive childbirth. She is dead. Gone.

With that simple little secret, the future is inescapably changed, his doom is sealed - unbeknownst to anyone, the nurse flees into hiding to raise the child as her own.

The rest of the book is riveting, because we get to see firsthand the effects of his fall - on his relationship with his wife, his son, and eventually everyone else around him. It's a tragic book (I'm not sure I could read it again), because it's not Hollywood - it's brutally true to the lives that many of us have experienced ourselves.

The one ray of hope comes unexpectedly, as David Henry confesses everything - no more secrets - to a young woman with child.

In the silence David started talking again, trying to explain at first about the snow and the shock and the scalpel flashing in the harsh light. How he has stood outside himself and watched himself moving in the world. How he had woken up every morning of his life for eithteen years thinking maybe today, maybe this was the day he would put things right. But Phoebe was gone and he couldn't find her, so how could he possibly tell Norah?

The secret had worked its way through their marriage, an insidious vine, twisting; she drank too much, and then she began having affairs, that sleazy realtor at the beach, and then the others; he's tried not to notice, to forgive her, for he knew that in some real sense the fault was his. Photo after photo, as if he could stop time or make an image powerful enough to obscure the moment when he had turned and handed his daughter to Caroline Gill. ...

He had handed his daughter to Caroline Gill and that act had led him here, years later, to this girl in motion of her own, this girl who had decided yes, a brief moment of release in the back of a car or in the room of a silent house, this girl who had stood up later, adjusting her clothes, with no knowledge of how that moment was already shaping her life.

She cut [paper] and listened. Her silence made him free. He talked like a river, like a storm, words rushing through the old house with a force and life he could not stop. At some point he began to weep again, and he could not stop that either. Rosemary made no comment whatsoever. He talked until the words slowed, ebbed, finally ceased.

Silence welled. She did not speak. ...

"All right," she said [at last]. "You're free."

And this single act of honesty produces the deepest intimacy he has ever experienced - it's not sexual, but relational - with a human being who knows the very worst about him and yet who does not reject him for it.

He'd poured out his story to her in such a rush, the first and last time he had ever told it, and she had listened without judging him. There was freedom in that; David could be completely himself with Rosemary, who had listened to what he'd done without rejection him and without telling anyone, either....

He confesses. She accepts him as he his. And he finally finds freedom.

What if the church could be like this - a place where you could lay all your garbage on the table, all the deepest darkest secrets that you've never told anyone, and still find acceptance, forgiveness, love. There is something deeply freeing about honesty and real love - it never minimizes the wrongs we have done; it embraces us in spite of them; and it refuses to leave us in our place of desparate isolation.

I think the church must be like this, because God is like this. And this is the kind of church we desire to be, because this is the only way to experience the freedom of the gospel.

Coffee Shops in Missoula

2007-02-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ahem. I know we all need to care about global warming, nukes in Idaho, delisting the wolves, and so on, but there's other things that matter too. Like coffee. Lots of coffee. Finding the best coffee. And telling others about it, since after all, we're all in this together and we might as well have a great cup of joe to help us on our way.

Most of my friends know I have a weakness for coffee shops (probably an understatement), and Missoula certainly has a number of options to choose from if you're looking for a great cup of joe. Since I've been here about 6 months now, I'll weigh in with my perspective on some of the establisments that I've discovered thus far. So here's my take on the coffee scene in Missoula...

Bernice's - great coffee (very strong!), with a nice southern exposure and plenty of glass to stare out of. Downsides include lack of electrical outlets and wireless access, but the variety of folks who call this place home more than makes up for that - you can actually strike up a conversations with people at adjoining tables here, and I like that a lot. If you stay for lunch, try their Herb hardrolls (some kind of cream cheese stuff in the middle, for only a buck... very nice!)
Butterfly Herbs - not only the best coffee I've found in Missoula, but also at one of the best prices anywhere ($1.50 gets you a cool mug with unlimited refills). If you like to talk to lots interesting people, this may be one of the best bets around - just belly up to the bar and wait a few minutes. Biggest downside: lack of table space and electrical outlets (I always end up feeling guilty if I sit there for more than a few hours, like I'm stealing from someone else's cache of coffee coolness). If you stop in, be sure to try the Chocolate Berry Blues (choco-covered blueberries)... I start salivating just thinking about them.
Break Espresso - one of the best places to drink coffee all day long (eg. it's not so strong that you start shaking after 2 cups) - your best bet is to purchase the coffee card (13 drinks for the price of 10), and then refills are just 25 cents apiece. Lots and lots of tables (by far the biggest coffee shop in town). My only complaints - I wish they replaced a few of the smaller tables with single bigger ones, so you could actually sit and talk to strangers if you feel like it. That and the wireless has been pretty flaky of late. Oh yeah - you simply HAVE to try their ham and cheese breakfast bagel (but dang! they need a new toaster!). And the conversations in the men's bathroom is worth the visit all by itself (How come the woman's bathroom doesn't have stuff like this scrawled all over it? And how would I know?)
Liquid Planet - Liquid Planet is one of the very first coffee shops I visited when I came to Missoula, and my initial reaction was "wow, this place is cool". I still think it is, but I don't find myself going in very often. Maybe it just feels a little too commercial. Good coffee, great hot chocolate (my kids LOVE it!), and the breakfast crepes are to die for. Definitely worth checking out. The internet is free now, but lack of outlets can be a problem.
Trout River - one of my most recent discoveries, I almost hesitate to even mention this place (kind of like a favorite fishing hole). The Hunter Bay coffee is ok (not great), and refills are too expensive (75 cents), but the atmosphere is exceptional - nice big windows with a south-easterly exposure, great background music, and the place is almost empty (in other words, it's a great spot to study). I really really like that aspect (and heck, it's connected to the fly fishing shop next door... kind of like heaven in that regard).
Catalyst - another interesting little shop on Higgins, with pretty decent coffee (and as many refills as you want). I need to spend more time in this place to really get a good feel for it, but I liked it when I visited. The balcony area was cool, but the lack of wireless means I'll probably never spend a lot of time there.
City Brew - I used to spend a lot of time in the place back when I lived in Billings (but then again, there aren't exactly a lot of coffee shop options in Billings). Decent coffee (their Ethiopian Harrar is excellent!), free wireless, outlets, nice people, etc. But it still feels too much like a Starbucks for me.
Starbucks - yeah, right. Starbucks is kind of a "last resort" for me. I don't think I've purchased a cup since I've come to Missoula. And I'm not missing it. Plus they charge for their Internet. Sheesh... (Hot Tip: Butterfly Herbs sells bumper stickers that say 'Friends don't let friends do Starbucks'... Priceless!). If I do have to drink at Starbucks, I avoid the coffee and order an Americano (much more consistent).
Food for Thought - good food, ok cup of coffee, lots of local campus traffic. Nice place to hang out and watch people. But boy those chairs are hard on my butt.
Bear's Brew (or something like that) - it's only a block away from Food For Thought. I've only been in once - the atmosphere would have been nice, but guys, can you PLEASE get rid of the little Christian fishy on the sign and ditch the whole Christian music over the sound system. Rich Mullins aside, I cannot STAND most contemporary Christian music (and heck, I'm a pastor - imagine what it feels like for all those poor folks outside of the church). Blech! Blech blech blech. Like getting coffee grounds in that last swig from the bottom of the cup.
Barnes & Noble - I love coffee, especially when I'm surrounded by books, but its still too commercial for me (all those Starbucks complaints apply here as well). B&N is kind of a last ditch option for me, when I can't even find a Starbucks. Needless to say, I haven't spent much time here of late. (Aside: how come The Book Exchange doesn't have coffee and internet? That could be really cool...)

So that's pretty much it for right now. If someone knows of places I'm missing I'd love to hear about it. Until then, I still stand by my earlier lament (see I Need an Infusion) - what I miss most in coffee shops in this town is a big common study table where lots of people can sit together, study, and then chat every now and again when they feel like it. I still haven't found that kind of community aspect yet, but I'll keep on quaffing, and if I do, I'll be sure to let you know...

Even in Missoula

2007-02-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

"Hey, I just want to know, do I look like him?"

That's what he was asking, the guy leaning in over the table, interjecting himself into our conversation. He looked only at me; he did not acknowledge the man I was having coffee with.

It took me a moment to understand why: Jimmy, on my right, was black. This guy standing to my left, however, was not. Yet half an hour earlier, I had asked him, "Hey, are you Jimmy?"

He had been standing alone on the other side of the coffee shop, waiting for someone, head turned to the side, unshaven face making his features look darker. And as soon as he had turned to look at me, it was obvious he wasn't the person I was there to meet. But that's the hard part of connecting over coffee with someone you haven't seen since they were in high school - neither of you knows for sure what the other person's going to look like.

So it was my mistake, and now that Bearded Guy realizes I took him for Black Guy, he's evidently insulted, insulted enough to actually walk up to our table and toss out his smart-assed comment. I was stunned. And then I was pissed. I realize that is strong language, but there are times when nothing less than strong language is appropriate.

I fumbled for words, saying something lame like "Well, I haven't seen him in years..." but Bearded Guy just sauntered off. Jimmy, to his credit, never even blinked. He just sat there for a moment and then continued the conversation.

Someone said a while back that they hoped we'd be tolerant here in Missoula. Not of this kind of behavior. Sorry folks, but its just wrong. And it pisses me off, because the church is meant to be a place where God's grace is extended to all who seek it, where there are no second class citizens, where justice rolls like water. Martin Luther King didn't make that up you know - he was just quoting the prophet Amos. Racism should piss us off, even in Missoula. Especially in Missoula. And especially in the church.

The church is meant to be a place of justice. And sometimes, that requires us to take a stand and say things are wrong. It also requires us to put our money where our mouth is and strive to make them right. Because the church is meant to be the place where heaven and earth meet, where God's agenda breaks through and actually makes a difference in the world.

If diversity bothers you, you probably won't like our church. But that's ok. After all, the kingdom of God is not for everyone...

All Are Welcome

2007-01-30T22:15:00.000-07:00

Here at the Missoula Project, we do not distinguish friend from foe on the basis of color, race, creed, or even sexual orientation. Yes it is true that we worship the God of the Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, three-in-one, Holy Trinity. And yes we see the Bible as his word to us. But all are welcome to participate in our community of faith - even those who disagree, even those who doubt, even those who struggle, even those who do not yet believe.

With the Scriptures, we confess that Christ came to save sinners (which means us, even more than it means you). And we believe that Christ offers hope to all who desire change. In short, we believe that Christ is vitally important, and the sole criteria for whether someone is in or out as a follower of Christ is their attitude towards Jesus, towards his word, towards fellow pilgrims. Everything else is secondary.

In the same breath, we note that Jesus himself was patient with people who were still trying to figure out what they thought about him, probably because he knew that faith is often a process. So Christ welcomed those who didn't believe - he hung out with "sinners", he went to their parties, he shared their joy and tears. Christ invited the undecided to check him out, not from afar, but up close; not because they agreed with him, but simply because they were people whom God loved.

Consequently, anyone is welcome as a friend in our community, regardless of their spiritual convictions (or lack thereof). The sole criteria is that you be human, be yourself. Jesus valued authenticity, and so do we. So welcome, one and all. We look forward to getting to know you.

What Kind of Person?

2007-01-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

Picked this up off of NewWest earlier today - 25 year old Jackson Hole skier Justin Kautz died after skiing off a cliff to avoid an avalanche.

What struck me about the article is that Kautz doesn't come across as just another partier, or even just another powderhound - instead, it seems to me that he was actually thinking about what it means to live a life well:

Friend Jenna Cropley said Kautz lived like we all want to: “purposefully and passionately.”

Just a few months ago, Kautz quit his job as manager at Stiegler’s restaurant, took out a business loan and started woodworking full time—a trade he learned from his father.

‘“This is what I’m going to do to make money,” Cropley remembered him saying. “‘How is making wood things going to change anybody? My writing is my real work, that’s what will impact people.’”

Indeed, he always carried a book of poems or politics in his backcountry pack next to his shovel and extra layers. He even laminated his skis with inspirational quotations and had the phrase "lines to ski, stories to tell" taped to the back of his ski helment.

He wrote short stories, made a complete Powder Magazine mock-up with original photographs and writing, published several articles and had nearly completed a book of short fiction to be called The Ford at Penuel.

“Justin was passionate about skiing, true, but he would skip even the biggest powder day to write,” said former girlfriend Elise Stiegler. “And yet, even then, if you came by, all he wanted to do was make tea and talk.”

Friends say Kautz lived the change he hoped to see. He donated 10 percent of all the money he made selling wooden sculptures and engravings to Invisible Children, Inc., which works to educate people about children kidnapped and forced into military service in Uganda.

This is the kind of person I want to meet here in Missoula - someone who is passionate and intentional, not just about enjoying the great outdoors (or great beer like Kettlehouse), but about thinking, about writing, about living, about community, about others.

I know folks like this exist here - after all, Missoula has a reputation for producing people like Kautz - but I haven't run into many of them yet. Which probably means I just haven't searched hard enough.

Of course, I intend to keep looking, and the next time I find myself in Sean Kelly's I think I'll raise a glass to the memory of Justin Kautz...

What Kind of Church?

2007-01-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

As we run into folks around Missoula, one of the questions that comes up quite often is, "So what kind of church are you going to start?" And that's a difficult question to answer.

On the one hand, it's hard to know what's really being asked - kind of like when someone says, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" Do they really want to know? Or are they just exchanging pleasantries? Are they interested only in externals, like career and earning potential? Or do they actually care about what kind of person you want to become?

On the other hand, even if you do know what someone is asking, it's still very difficult to put into words. You cannot quantify what a church is simply by describing its location, its creeds, its theology, its liturgy.

A church is not simply an organization - it's an organism, a moving target, a work in progress. It consists of many members, all walking through life in different ways, directions, manners. It aims for a standard (to be like Jesus, to share the good news about him, to care for the poor and needy, etc), and yet it always falls short of the goal, too - not simply because we inevitably disagree over specifics, but because we are all sinners, we are all bent, even those of us within the church.

As a friend of mine once reminded me, "Yes, the Church is a whore; but that whore is the bride of Christ and your mother, and you have no right to abandon her."

Ouch. And actually, it's even worse that that. The church is a whore because I am a whore, which is precisely the point of the gospel:

"I am a whore I do confess, put you on just like a wedding dress,
and I run down the aisle, run down the aisle, to you..."
- Derek Webb, Wedding Dress

So what kind of church DO we want to start?

Hmm, are you sure you really want to know?

If so, you might want to start by considering What If..., or by taking a look at our Core Values. Or how about the The 'Following Jesus' Manifesto from Today At The Mission (written by someone who lives / works in a homeless shelter), talking about what it really means to be a follower of Christ - it's not like we embrace every single one of these literally, but we sure like the gist of them:

Stop talking about Jesus. Just stop. If we loved the people around us half as much as we say we love Jesus the rest of this manifesto would be entirely redundant.
Live a secret life. Invest the time, effort and vulnerability necessary to delve deeply into the scripture and prayer. Spend long periods of time in stillness. There is no shortcut to this, there is no other way. Without a deep and secret life we soon find ourselves talking about Jesus instead of being like Jesus.
Stop pretending. I'm a Christian, and I suck. So do you. Let's get that out of the way, shall we?
Give more than you get. There will always be more than enough.
Be present for those around you. Following Jesus has nothing to do with your work, your resume or your income. In fact, nothing that matters does.
Treasure broken-ness. Our broken places are sacred spaces in our heart. Honour them. Value them. In doing so you love the unlovely, publicly declaring the beauty of God's image in everyone. Greet the broken with comfort and cool water.
Throw a party.
Know Jesus well enough to recognize him on the street. This is rather important, because he can always be found on the street - and he usually looks more like a pan-handler than a preacher.
Accept ingratitude and abuse as a fixed cost. Embrace them, and then go the extra mile.
If you follow Jesus, you will anger religious people. This is how you will know.

Strong words. Yet this is a snapshot of the Christian life that resonates with us. We might not agree with all of these credos, or put them quite this way; we might want to add a few more or nuance them slightly - but on the whole, these are the kind of people we hope to become, and this is the kind of church we'd like to plant here in Missoula.

Of course, you can't describe a church in ten short bullet points. But you can paint a picture, and much of what we will be writing about over the coming months will be intended to do just that - to offer sketches, glimpses, hints of what we're about and where we hope to go.

We may not ever be able to describe what we are after exhaustively, but given enough time and snapshots, I think the vision we are pursuing will start to become clear. And in the meantime, we'd still love to hear from you...

Contacting Us

2007-01-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Here's how to get in touch with us:

Snail Mail:
Missoula Project, P.O. Box 758, Missoula MT 59806

Christian & Marilyn Cryder
2307 River Road, Missoula, Mt 59801 [map]
(note: if you've never been to our house before, look for
the mailbox and turn down the alley!)
Christian - christian.cryder@gmail.com cell: (406) 529-5568
Marilyn - marilyn.cryder@gmail.com cell: (406) 529-5569

Ryan & Rachel Sutherland
1601 W Kent Ave, Missoula, Mt 59801 [map]
Ryan - r.k.suth@gmail.com cell: (406) 529-2468
Rachel - r.j.suth@gmail.com cell: (406) 529-2467

If you'd like to talk, we'd love to get together over a cup of coffee or a beer. If you want us to keep you in the loop for upcoming events, please email us and ask to be added to the monthly newsletter.

4 Key Questions

2006-12-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

"Missoula - you either get it or you don't." That's what our realtor told us when we first met her, and I think she was on to something.

Missoula is a very special place - we get that much already. But we also have an awful lot to learn about the specifics, what's happening, when, where, etc. As we settle into this community, our greatest desire is to understand Missoula on it's own terms - what makes it special, and where does it still need work. That means we need to ask a lot of questions and try hard to listen well. And that's where we need your help.

Over the coming months, it's our goal to meet with as many people as possible - people outside the church, people who are invested in the community, those who really "get Missoula." And what we'd like from you is not your money, not your commitment, nothing like that. Nope! All we want to know is how you'd answer 4 Key Questions...

What is it that you LOVE about Missoula? - What makes Missoula such a beautiful place? What makes it special? What makes you want to live here? What sets it apart from all the other cities out there? (basically, tell us what you think makes Missoula the greatest place in the last best place) :-)
What is it that you DISLIKE about Missoula? - What are the downsides to Missoula? Where does it come up short? Need improvement? (basically, we want to understand the dark side of Missoula, if there is one - what are the needs? the parts that aren't so good? Every city has stuff that is broken, and we believe we should care about those things to too...)
What are the hopes and dreams of Missoula? What are its fears and concerns? - I realize this one's a little harder, and if you don't feel like you can speak for the community as a whole, just give us your perspective. What we're really looking for here is trajectory - where is Missoula going? what does Missoula hope to become? and what potential pitfalls could waylay it on that journey?
What kind of church does Missoula need? - Finally, from your perspective, what would it look like for a church to really love the city, to love its people well? What kind of church could best serve Missoula for the next 20 years? This is where you get to really tell us what you think about the church. And you can even rant if you'd like - we want to hear it all!

That's really the gist of what we're after. And we'd be more than happy to buy you a coffee or beer in exchange for your input. We're not going to proseltyze or try to change you or anything like that.

Nope, we just want to listen. We'd like to hear from you simply because we really DO value your opinion, as people who know Missoula a whole lot better than we do. So please, do us a favor and help us see life from your perspective!

Hope to see you soon!

A Picture of Grace?

2006-11-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

So in case you haven't heard, a local church here in Missoula made headlines last week when they responded to three kids (ages 18 and 19) caught vandalizing the church property by "giving them Xboxes instead of exile."

Reaction has been rather mixed overall - some positive, but much negative (or at least 'puzzled'). If my kids' experience is any indication, the buzz on the playgrounds at school is largely to the effect of "Hey! Now I know how to get ahold of one of those cool new Xboxes that I've been wanting for Christmas!"

Hmm... So what do we make of this?

Looking at things as charitably as possible, I think we can at least appreciate SHEC's desire to respond differently rather than in typical knee-jerk, throw-the-book-at-'em fashion. Of course, those who are a bit cynical might call this a publicity stunt, but I doubt it - I'm willing to assume that their intentions were noble, that they really desired to respond in a biblical, gracious manner, in a way that actually helps the kids that did this.

Of course, that raises some key questions.

Is this really a helpful response? (I'm not convinced that what these kids need is an Xbox).

And is it really loving? (It's easy to pass the plate and toss in a couple hundred bucks to make us all feel like we've done something significant - like putting off our Christmas shopping till the last minute, and then simply dropping a big wad of money on a gift to cover up for the fact that we really didn't put a lot of thought, or love, into the whole endeavor).

I have a feeling that the really loving response would be a whole lot cheaper (in terms of dollars), but a whole lot more costly (in terms of time and personal sacrifice) - what would it look like to actually invest in these kids lives, on a personal, individual basis? What would it look like to show up at their trial? To follow up in person? To talk to their parents? To take time and get to know them as people? To understand why they would do something like this? To learn what makes them tick? Of course a response like this probably isn't going to generate headlines...

[As an aside, the author of 4&20 Blackbirds astutely observes a difference in how SHEC responded to these guys, vs. prostitute J.C. Nouveaux. What would it look like to respond the same way to both, by reaching out personally to both? I for one would love to sit down and just talk with someone like J.C, or these guys, in both cases to get to know them as they are, where they are...]

All of this leads to perhaps the biggest question of all - is SHEC's response really a picture of 'grace' at all? I'm not sure that it is.

For starters, 'grace' is not simply "a second chance" (because after all, if we're all really damn messes deep down, chances are we're going to blow our second - and third, and fourth - chances as well).

'Grace' is also not simply "unconditional love" or "blithe acceptance"(because after all, God's love is not simply unconditional either) - no, real grace cares so much about people that it is not content to simply leave them where they are, wallowing in the consequences of their bad decisions. Real grace cares. Real grace rescues. (And let's be honest - how many of us really give a rats ass about these kids, anyway? How many of us actually care whether or not they make bad decisions and screw up their lives? I suspect it's very few of us do...)

No, grace actually brings something to the table - something necessary, valuable, essential, lifegiving. I'm not sure an Xbox qualifies in that regard (maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I have a feeling most 18 year olds would benefit more from hard work and a father worth respecting than from more time in front of a TV screen).

Real grace is also costly. Not in terms of dollars and cents, but personally. Real grace is a wife refusing to leave her lusting husband (even though he probably deserves it), not because he's great, and not because she's great either, but simply because of who he is - her husband, the man she made a commitment to when they were married.

You see, whatever grace is, it's a long term proposition - it doesn't just offer the possibility of favor, on the condition of change; instead it starts with favor, and that actually brings about the change. Real grace actually accomplishes something, like a chinook in February. It melts hearts. It breaks logjams. It brings change. And it's often very, very messy.

It's almost certainly not very worthy of much public attention, at least not until years later when hindsight reveals just how much change grace has wrought.

So where does all this leave us? I'm not sure that SHEC did the wrong thing by responding the way they did, but I'm not at all convinced they did the right thing either. Not simply because I don't think that what they did is going to accomplish anything, but rather because I don't think it's a picture of what grace really is.

So what would I do instead? I'm not sure. But I'm pretty sure it wouldn't involve an Xbox.

A Great Day in Missoula

2006-11-12T22:23:00.002-07:00

This past Thursday I had a great day and learned more about this new city we call home when I took in a workshop about how to imagine change in our community. The workshop was facilitated by Bliss Browne who is the founder of Imagine Chicago and similar programs in many countries around the world. She facilitates about 100 such workshops a year around the world. In addition to her busy schedule, she is an Episcopalian priest and mother of three. She was an excellent speaker and sparked tremendous encouragement and ideas by the 70 or so folks who attended the workshop.

I really wish I had something really profound to report about the workshop. This is not to say that the workshop itself was not profound for me - it simply means that I haven't yet figured out exactly what to say about it and how to say it in a way that will make it profound for you like it was for those of us who attended!

I think the thing that struck me most was during of time of sharing different "burning" questions that people were asked to share with the whole group. Here can are a few of the questions that people had:

"when are we (the community of Missoula) going to accept diversity? Why is diversity so difficult?"
"why is it so hard to get people to recycle?"
"How do you motivate the world for global climate change?"
"How do I best serve the community as an agent of change?"
"How can hope be sustained?"
"How can I be inspired to be involved in the suffering of others without letting it permeate me?"

The reason that all of these questions were interesting to me is that they recognize that there is something fundamentally wrong or bent in the world that needs to be righted (I would love to sit down with some of these folks and pick their brains about why the world is messed up and in need of change) - and it is up to us to be involved in making this world a better place. What an awesome realization of personal responsibility and hope for a community!

Another tremendous aspect of the workshop was getting to hear the stories of complete strangers and sharing my story with them. I feel like I made friends with several people simply because we were all willing to be vulnerable and honest with one another. I learned a real lesson about community building and would give anything for the chance to do this more often with folks from Missoula.

So, if any of my new friends read this - Molly, Brooke, Warren, Deb, Joni, and Sara - please add your two cents and I'd love to hear your thoughts about the workshop now that you've had a few days to reflect. I'm in the process of planning a party for all of you to enjoy some wine and cheese at our house and update each other on any new ideas since the workshop or ideas about how we can get to work in our community. I sincerely believe we can accomplish more for Missoula if we try to work together. I would also like to open this invitation up to others who might not have been able to attend, but would like to be brought in on the discussion.

I really loved the think-tank atmosphere of this workshop. I hope to have this experience with others from Missoula soon. Thanks a lot Bliss!

I Need an Infusion

2006-10-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

Sun creeping over Mt. Sentinel, early this morning

So here I am, sitting in a Missoula coffee shop, sipping on a cup of joe, and I realize that I need some advice - I need someone to help me find an Infusion.

Let me explain. Infusion is this coffee shop back in Philly, the coolest one I've ever encountered, not just because the coffee was great, the staff friendly, the neighborhood cool. Nope. All those things are essential in a great coffeeshop, of course. But what made Infusion so awesome was its sense of community.

You could see the same people over and over, day after day. And they didn't just grab their coffee and run - they actually sat down and stayed for a while. Infusion is a place with a great big common study table - students were welcome, all day long. The wireless is free, you can get a "bottomless cup" for two and a quarter, and most importantly - people actually talked.

That's the thing I loved about Infusion - the people. And a very diverse lot they were too! You could meet students (med students, rabbinical students, seminary students, atheistic students); you could talk to authors, to lawyers, to mothers with kids. Heck, one day I even had a great conversation with a sexologist working on her PhD in female masturbation. Fascinating!

People of all shapes, sizes, angles, and colors. And they all loved coffee (or tea), they all loved their community, and they all loved to talk.

That's the kind of place I want to find here in Missoula.

So I need your help, because I haven't found it yet. I've been to a number of places already (I won't name them yet), but I'd really appreciate some local recommendations. Where should I be looking? Tell me about your favorite coffee shop, and tell me why you love it. I'd love to hear from you (heck, I'll even buy you a cup of coffee just to hear your opinion!). Any thoughts? Let me know...

Of Herbs & Good Coffee

2006-10-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Today marks a new direction for the Missoula-Project blog. As we begin to settle in to Missoula and work towards planting a church here, it becomes extremely important that we don't just rush ahead willy nilly seeking to impose our vision of "church" on these dear folks. Nope, first and foremost, we need to sit down (preferably over a cup of coffee), ask some good questions and then actually LISTEN.

We'll be doing a lot of this over the coming months - seeking to meet as many people as possible here in our new hometown, to ask them what they love about Missoula, and to find out what could use some improvement. And to see what it would look like for a church to really love this community (the way Christ does).

So that's the plan. And this blog will chronicle this journey. Want to know what people in Missoula think about God? Tune in and follow along, and see if you can discern where God is working. A great place to start is at Butterfly Herbs, where they have an awfully good cup of coffee...

Introductions

2006-01-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Missoula Project. In the Fall of 2006, two families - the Cryders and the Sutherlands (obligatory family photos here and here)- packed up all their earthly belongings and move to Missoula, Montana in order to start a church from scratch (crazy, huh?).

This site exists to catalog our thinking, chronicle our progress, and help those who are interested participate in this adventure.

We realize that many these days are wary of the church. Some of them left years ago, turned off by hypocrisy, religiosity, or their own inability to measure up. Others have never ventured in, but find themselves wondering if real Christianity actually exists. We desire to plant a church that is accessible to people like these - ordinary folk looking for honest answers. To this end, we desire to speak clearly and freshly, in a way that is intelligible to those who are not religious insiders. Consequently, we will strive to avoid buzzwords and catch phrases as much as possible.

We also recognize that some have been burned by the church in the past. Some have learned the hard way that everyone has a creed, and every creed has consequences. People like these want to know where we are coming from, and where we are going. That's a good thing, and we desire to be very upfront - about who is welcome, about our core values, and about where we stand. Consequently, we will strive to spell out exactly what we believe and why, and how it all plays out (want a practical example? Check out our thoughts on Jesus and smoking pot).

Most importantly, we value your input. If you have comments, questions, or suggestions, we'd love to hear what you think (whether you agree with us or not!). So make yourself at home and have a look around.

Once again, welcome to the Missoula Project. We hope to hear from you soon!

Where We Stand

2005-09-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it: I am a lousy poker player - I'm not real fond of hemming and hawing, bluffing or blustering. I'd much rather just lay all my cards on the table and let the chips fall where they may. That approach probably won't get you very far in poker, but we believe it's the only way of dealing with people, especially when you're talking about planting a church.

Speaking of the church, we've noticed that many people these days don't think too highly of her - for many, the church is about as trustworthy as the guy dealing the cards in Vegas: he smiles like he's your best friend, but at the end of the day it's all about the money, and the house always wins. Perhaps that's why more and more people are looking elsewhere for answers.

Commitments & Confessions

We think the Christian church can and must do better, and we believe it starts with us being up front about who we are and what we are about. This, then, is our baseline commitment: we desire to be brutally honest, even when it's hard, even when it makes us look less than stellar. We do this because we think most people would rather know the truth in advance, rather than finding out later. The purpose of this post is to tell you where we stand.

If we're going to be honest, we might as well start with a confession: we are human and we make mistakes; we don't have it all figured out, in fact, we're still pretty clueless about a lot of things. Worse than that, we are sinners who often do what we shouldn't (or don't do what we ought). So you need to know what you're getting into - if you hang around us long enough, we're probably going to tick you off or hurt your feelings or maybe even do you wrong.

You see, at the end of the day, we need the gospel we preach just as much as those we are preaching it to (probably even more). That's why the church we plant is going to be messy. But it will also be a place where messy, messed up people like us are welcome as they are. This leads to our second commitment: when we screw up, we will admit it publicly and do whatever we can to make it right.

And even as we make this pledge, we also offer a word of hope - Jesus Christ is alive and well and he is working in our hearts, not because we try harder, but because we continue to acknowledge our faults and trust him to rescue us from ourselves. We have a long way still to go, but we find our hearts changing (ask our wives).

What We Think About the Church

We think this great drama of change is not just a private thing; we believe it's meant to unfold corporately, in the presence of others, in this crazy community the Bible calls 'the church'. That means the church is a key part of what it means to be a follower of Christ, and this leads us to several core convictions about the nature and purpose of the church:

First, we believe that every human being was designed for worship - the only place where we ever truly find meaning and fulfillment is in the triune God of Scripture, serving him rather than ourselves. Yet all have sinned by rejecting this relationship, and as a result we are estranged from God; we refuse to seek him because we have rebelled against his rule.
Fortunately, God is a missional God – he graciously comes seeking us. His work through all of history culminates in Christ, Christ's work culminates in the cross and in the church, and the church's work culminates in worship and mission.
For the church, mission exists because worship doesn't. This is our purpose – to form a community that draws others to God by embodying the restored relationship that comes through Christ. We in the church must worship well - not simply by singing his praises or preaching his word, but by repenting of our sins, serving one another selflessly, and offering this very hope of reconciliation to those who are still estranged.
The true church then will not only be biblical and confessional, it must also be missional because true worship embraces mission. These are the kinds of churches we need more of – churches that reach the unchurched, churches that plant more churches, churches that make a difference in the communities in which we live.

Thus we conclude that both worship and mission should be part of the ordinary, daily experience for every follower of Christ - this is the call for every Christian, for every church, not just a select few. This is what the church is all about. This is the type of community we desire to create in Missoula, Montana.

What We Think About the Gospel

Given this understanding of the church, what must sinners like ourselves do to be rescued? Several key concepts shape the content of our message:

Getting right with God - We believe that every problem in society ultimately stems from a problem in humanity - we desire to do good, yet we are fallen; every one of us is fundamentally bent. We serve ourselves rather than God and neighbors. Our broken, dysfunctional lives are merely symptoms of deeper problems within.

The good news of the Gospel is that God himself has made a way to be reconciled - not by requiring us to change, but by calling us to believe that Jesus died, lives again, and he alone can save us. This is the heart of the gospel message: that God does not accept us because we clean ourselves up and finally get it right; he accepts us we when we place all our confidence in Christ, rather than in ourselves. God accepts us because Christ gets it right on our behalf.

All that God requires of us is that we acknowledge our condition, admit our inability to save ourselves, and call on Christ to rescue us. Jesus himself says it plainly: "repent and believe" (Mark 1:15). This is the only way to get right with God. We are justified by faith in Christ alone.
Changing in ways that matter - God loves us too much simply to acquit us; he desires to change us in ways that matter. At the root of every sinful action there lies a heart problem: we desire to serve ourselves rather than God, we think we can find fulfillment by drinking from some other well besides him. Our actions towards God and others simply express the underlying attitude of the heart. So how do we change the wayward affections of our heart?

We never change simply by trying harder; instead, our hearts are transformed as we are united to Christ in faith. Just as Christ justifies us before the Father, so he also gives us a new heart that actually desires to please him. So the gospel that saves us is also the gospel that sanctifies us. We become more like Christ by seeing him more clearly, preaching that gospel to ourselves daily, renewing our faith in him. We are sanctified by faith in Christ alone.
Worshipping in spirit and truth – just as Christ justifies and sanctifies us, so too he perfects our worship. We must never think we please God more by somehow “getting it right” in our form or practice; nor should we think less of those who “get it wrong” – Christ perfects the worship of all who are his.

This should lead us to think charitably towards those whose faith in Christ leads them to different conclusions in matters of worship. We worship by faith in Christ alone.

What the Gospel Looks Like in Practice

So how do ideas like these work themselves out in practice? How does the rubber meet the road? (this is a great question you should ask of any church). A simple example might be helpful - what would Jesus say about smoking pot?

Take a few moments to follow that link. This is how the gospel plays out - it doesn't just point the finger of judgment at those who do bad things (like smoking pot, or whatever your favorite "vice" might be). No, the gospel also points the finger of judgment at all those who do good things, who seek to commend themselves to God on that basis.

The gospel says both things - my badness, your goodness - can be idols which cause us to hope in something other than Christ. And that has huge ramifications. It should make us sympathetic towards others. It should make us leery of ourselves. And it should stir a deep love for Christ within us - because his perfection makes up for own lack thereof - not just to get us into God's kingdom, but to keep us there, to perfect our own faith and practice.

Want to know more? Give us a call, and let's talk about it over a cup of coffee...

What the Church is All About

2005-08-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

As Ryan and I think about planting a church in Missoula, one of the questions we get a lot is "Why do we need more churches anyway?" Even those who like the idea often haven't given much thought to what a church should look like; "What is the church really supposed to be about, anyway?"

When you plant a church from scratch you get to step up to the plate and try to answer that question - it's a tremendous opportunity, but it's also a little scary because there is so much riding on your conclusions. That's part of the reason why God warns us not to take the role of leadership lightly (James 3:1). And that's why we want Scripture to guide our vision and shape our practice.

As we approach church planting then, it is critical to identify our core presuppositions up front – how we think about the God, the church, and mission. This is important because our starting points will inevitably shape how we look at everything else – opportunities, dangers, goals, directions, and especially our methodologies.

So why DO we want to plant a church? What DO we think church is all about? How do we delineate our core convictions?

We start by affirming the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” In this, we recognize that man exists to worship God (1 Cor 10:31; Rom 11:36). Unfortunately, all us have fallen short of God’s glory – both in Adam, and in our own actions – no one is righteous; there is no one who seeks God, not even one (Rom 3:23, 5:12-14, 3:9-12). We are estranged from God, and the brokenness that results affects every fiber of our being – we serve ourselves rather than him.

Given this, we also agree with John Piper, who says that, “Mission is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is. Mission exists because worship doesn’t.” Think about that for a minute. God desires people to worship him in spirit and in truth, and because of our own inability, he himself is seeking true worshipers – not merely to find them, but to actually form them (John 4:23, 6:44). God is creating a people for himself, and this redemptive effort summarizes his work through all of history.

At the heart of our confession, then, lies a central truth: God is a missional God – his work culminates in Christ, Christ’s work culminates in the church, and the church’s work culminates in worship and mission. From this basic recognition, we can make several key observations:

God, not man, builds his church – Church planting is not simply a matter of human effort or intention – this is something God is doing. It is his work (cf. Acts 13-14, where we repeatedly see God actively intervening to build his church: 13:2, 4, 9, 48, 52; 14:1, 3, 27).

God has been building it from the beginning – everything God was doing in the OT finds its fulfillment in Jesus. Christ is the crux of the entire biblical story (cf. Gen 3:15, 12:2-3; 2 Sam 7:13; Acts 13:32-33). The heart of the gospel is that Jesus fulfills all of God’s promises. Only through Christ can we be reconciled to God, not because of what we do, but because of what the resurrected Christ has done and continues to do on our behalf.

God has a passion for the lost – Jesus views his own work in terms of saving the lost and building his church. Thus Christ is a missional Messiah (cf. Luke 19:10; John 4:1-43; Mt 16:18; 1 Pe 2:6-7).

The church is at the center of God’s redemptive plan – In Eph 3:6-11, Paul tells us that the church is the climax of God’s eternal purpose, created to manifest the mystery of the gospel to the Gentiles. In other words, the church is God’s means for mission. The church exists to model the gospel – in word, deed, worship, and mission – to unbelievers, and so invite them to participate in the kingdom as well.

In light of these principles, we offer two core convictions for church planting:

First, we want to plant churches that reach the unchurched – We desire this because God has a heart for the lost, he commands us to go, and this is where the harvest is ripe. Our aim is not simply to establish a “reformed church,” or to gather people who are already Christians - neither of these are bad; but they aren't at the heart of what the church is all about, either. We must never lose sight of the fact that our calling is to bring the gospel to people who have rejected God so that the gospel may redeem both us and our culture.
Second, we want to plant churches that plant more churches – We believe that mission must be part of the fabric of the church; the goal of our church plants is not to become self-sufficient and acquire a building – it is to call people (both unbelievers and believers) to continual faith in Christ, to lead them in true worship of God, to equip them for service in the church and for life in the culture, and to send them missionally back to the unchurched. While every member of the body has different gifts and abilities, we assert that all Christians are called to serve and witness and participate in mission, just as all are called to believe and worship.

So mission exists because worship doesn’t. Conversely, true worship must include mission.

This conviction carries dual implications. As God’s church, we are obligated to think missionally (redemptively) about our unbelieving friends, our neighborhoods, our cities, and the larger region in which we live.1 Ecclesiologically, we are not permitted merely to focus on our own personal or corporate needs and desires. We exist for mission.

As God’s missional agent to the world, however, we must also think missionally (pastorally) about our churches. We must give careful consideration to how we call, train, and equip our flocks, and how we embody the gospel in all aspects of our faith and practice. We are not permitted to view mission simply as propositional proclamation; belief is much more than mere intellectual assent to historical facts. We exist for worship – the kind that flows from a loving confidence in Christ alone, not in our theology, our church practice, or our own moral excellence.

Consequently, neither mission nor worship must ever become a subcategory or parenthesis within our ecclesiology – mission and worship are THE primary tasks of the church. Christians within our churches must come to love the things God loves and to redefine their own practices in light of his, and this will only happen as they realize the relevance of the gospel for themselves, as well as for unbelievers. As Martin Luther says, it is not enough for us to know that Jesus is Christ, he must “be Christ for you and me.”2

Mission and worship are intimately interconnected; both are funded by the gospel. The churches we plant must manifest this reality. If we are serious about these convictions, it will impact how we plant churches.

Justification By Faith (1 of 3)

2005-08-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

As we approach gospel ministry in Christ’s church, we find several principles to be particularly important: Justification by Faith (JBF), Sanctification by Faith (SBF), and Worship by Faith (WBF).

Definition: When we talk about justification, what we mean is this - how is a sinner "justified" or "made right" in God's sight? You see, Scripture is very clear: human beings have a problem. This problem is commonly called "sin," and its very, very, serious because it separates us from God.

While our sin is often expressed actively when we do things we shouldn't (or passively by NOT doing things we should), Jesus is clear that that sin stems from our hearts (Mk 7:20). We sin because we are sinners, and it is impossible for us to clean ourselves up (Mk 10:23-27). Christ's death on the cross is the means by which we are saved; we access that salvation by repenting of our sin and putting our faith in Christ. (Acts 2:23-24, 38-39).

So how is someone justified? We begin by affirming the five great “solas” of the Reformation – sinners are justified (made right with God) by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Scripture alone shapes our gospel message; God alone receives the glory.

Paul’s evangelistic messages in Acts 13-14 (NIV) illustrate the matter plainly: “through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him, everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses” (13:38-39). Luke calls this “the message of God’s grace” (14:3); it is accessed solely by faith (Heb 11:6) in Jesus (John 14:6). Unbelievers respond in joy, glorifying God (13:48, 14:27).

With Paul, our proclamation must be focused on what God has done, how he has fulfilled his promises to redeem sinners (Acts 13:32). Even our faith is a gift of God, that no man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). This is what makes the gospel such “good news” – God has done everything; our responsibility is simply to repent and believe.

Rom 3:21-28 describes a “great exchange” in which Jesus Christ does what we could never do ourselves, offering himself as propitiation for our sins. In the moment of our belief, he takes our guilt and we receive his righteousness. Thus man “is justified by faith, apart from works of the law” (3:28), and God is both “just and justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (3:26).

Justification by faith in Christ is at the heart of the gospel; anything less is NO GOSPEL!

So now let's take a look at Sanctification By Faith...

Sanctification By Faith (2 of 3)

2005-08-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

If Justification by Faith (JBF) is the heart of the gospel message, Sanctification by Faith (SBF) is its lifeblood, its power for daily living.

Definition:When we talk about sanctification, what we mean is this - how does a sinner who has been saved by God's grace actually start to change, to be transformed (Rom 12:2) into the image of God (2 Cor 3:18), to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God, rather than sinful and displeasing? Is it a matter of trying harder? Or is something else involved? How does my sanctification relate to my justification?

So the gospel message for unbelievers is that salvation comes by faith in Christ, and few evangelicals would disagree that sinners are justified by faith alone. When it comes to sanctification, however, many Christians (even in Reformed churches) unintentionally revert to a works-based theology – “I may be saved by faith but I will become more like Christ only through my own effort.” They live as if holiness is achieved by trying harder, that sanctification comes by works.

This creates a sort of practical dichotomy – the gospel message may be good news for “sinners” outside the church, but it often seems strangely irrelevant for “believers” on the inside. The road to sainthood appears to be paved with personal effort. After all, even Paul says “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). (Of course, many overlook the following verse: “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”. Our working is always subsequent and in response to God’s prior working.)

The Reformers, however, recognized that the gospel does not end once the Christian is justified – it is just as relevant for those who already believe as it is for pagans in their unbelief. Like justification, our sanctification is also by faith.

Martin Luther unpacks this concept with an example of covetousness:

If you wish to fulfill the law and not covet, as the law demands, come believe in Christ in whom grace, righteousness, peace, liberty, and all things are promised you. If you believe, you shall have all things; if you do not believe you shall lack all things… God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything.
- Luther, On Christian Liberty, 13

What Luther means here is that while the law shows us what we ought to do (eg. “don’t covet”), it does not give us the power NOT to do it. Just as we are incapable of justifying ourselves to God, so also we are incapable of sanctifying ourselves for God. Why? Because even if I am able to control my outward behavior, my heart within is still fundamentally covetous. My external sins flow from internal sins of the heart (cf. Mk 7:14-23).

Scottish preacher Thomas Chalmers reflects on our heart problem, pointing out that we are inevitably torn between mutually exclusive affections:

The love of God, and the love of the world, are two affections, not merely in a state of rivalship, but in a state of enmity, and that so irreconcilable that they can not dwell together in the same bosom. [It is impossible] for the heart, by any innate elasticity of its own, to cast the world away from it… the only way to dispossess it of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new one.

How then do we alter the affections of our heart? By continually returning to the promises of God in faith! Luther describes it like this:

The soul which clings to [God’s promises]with a firm faith will be so closely united with them… that it will not only share in all their power but will be saturated and intoxicated by them…This, then, is how through faith alone without works the soul is justified by the Word of God, sanctified, made true…Just as the heated iron glows like fire because of the union of fire with it, so the Word imparts its qualities to the soul.
- Luther, On Christian Liberty, 14-15

In other words, our hearts are sanctified (changed, perfected) only as we repeatedly embrace the gospel in faith. Luther offers an analogy from marriage: faith is the wedding ring which unites us to Christ; by it he inherits all that is ours (sin, unrighteousness), and we inherit all that is his (glory, righteousness). Our desires are transformed as we focus on Christ’s magnificent, ravishing love for us. As Jerry Bridges says, “My driving motivation now is not guilt but gratitude.”

Tim Keller sees in this the fundamental dynamic for Christian living: “We are saved by believing the gospel, and then we are transformed in every part of our mind, heart, and life by believing the gospel more and more deeply as our life goes on.” The reality of my union with Christ funds my spiritual change; the indicative drives the imperative. We need to constantly remind ourselves of this truth. We clean ourselves up, then, not be trying harder or by doing good works, but by believing God’s promises more and more.

Jack Miller calls this “preaching the gospel to ourselves daily.” Seen in this light, the gospel message is not just for non-Christians, but for Christians as well. Indeed, as a Christian I need the gospel even more desperately than an unbeliever because I see my sin more clearly – the more I know Christ the more my own sin is exposed.

It is important to note that this concept of sanctification by faith is fundamentally biblical. As Dr. Richard Gaffin says, “What faith will always understand is that the path of sanctification has on it the same signposts as the path for justification – grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone."

Such an understanding carries important implications for faith and practice. First, if we do not commend ourselves to God on the basis of our sanctification, neither should we commend ourselves to one another on these same grounds; if God’s approval is based on faith, then our own approval of others cannot be based on their performance, their piety, or even their knowledge of “the right answers.”

Second, sinners and unbelievers should feel welcome in our churches as they are – you do not have to “clean yourself up” before you can participate in our community. This does not mean that we negate God’s demands for righteousness; on the contrary, we preach the law on the one hand, while compassionately identifying with unbelievers as fellow sinners on the other. In regard to God’s standard of perfection, we are lawbreakers just like they are; yet on account of Christ we are righteous, obedient children of God. The only difference between us and them is our relationship to Christ through faith.

Third, we as Christians must incarnate the gospel by being open and vulnerable about our own weaknesses and shortcomings. With Paul, we must testify that we are chief among sinners (1 Tim 1:15) by publicly modeling the repentance, confession, forgiveness, humility, and charity which characterize a life of faith.

Sanctification by faith in Christ is the lifeblood of the gospel.

So now let's take a look at Worship By Faith...

Worship By Faith (3 of 3)

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If Justification By Faith (JBF) is the heart of the gospel, and Sanctification By Faith (SBF) is its lifeblood, then Worship by Faith (WBF) explains the reality of our fellowship with God.

You see, Sanctification by faith also carries important implications for how we approach worship. Historically, the Reformed tradition has placed a great emphasis on allowing Scripture to define our practice. We must never believe, however, that “getting it right” in terms of form and practice makes our worship acceptable to God. Like justification and sanctification, true worship flows from faith.

For example, when an unbeliever participates in worship – even if he has the best voice and sings with all his might, even if he pays attention and takes notes during the sermon, even if he tries to personally apply the principles he is hearing – none of this is worship because it does not stem from faith. Apart from faith, our most righteous acts are like filthy rags in God’s sight (Is 64:6), for "apart from faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb 11:6). This is just as true for believers as it is for unbelievers.

This concept is made explicit in Heb 9, where Christ’s work of atonement (9:13-14) is presented as the new covenant counterpart to the OT rules and regulations for worship in the temple (9:1-5). The author of Hebrews sees the concept of “worship” as intimately connected with the concept of “atonement.” By accomplishing the latter Christ simultaneously perfects the former. As the mediator of the new covenant (9:15), his blood purifies the instruments of worship (9:21) and the consciences of the worshippers (9:9). Thus it is only through faith in Christ that our worship can be pleasing to God.

Consequently, while we strive to worship according to the precepts set forth in Scripture, we also recognize that we will inevitably fail to conform to God’s standards – Scripture is sometimes difficult to understand and not all passages are equally clear; more frequently sin impairs our judgment. Whatever the reasons, we must continually remind ourselves that our worship is perfected by our faith in Christ; there is no room for pride on our part.

Similarly, we should be slow to judge or condemn others whose practice does not conform with our own. Worship by faith should encourage charity, not separation.
The churches we plant will not die because we misunderstand a particular issue of doctrine, or misapply an element of worship; our churches will die when we fail to understand the gospel – that we are justified by faith, sanctified by faith, and that our worship is made pleasing in faith.

Worship by faith in Christ is a fruit of the gospel.

These three principles then - Justification by Faith (JBF), Sanctification by Faith (SBF), and Worship by Faith (WBF), when viewed together in light of What the Church is All About - all have huge ramifications for how we think about faith and ministry in the local church. We'll start fleshing some of these things out in the coming months...

Luke 6:12-36 (ESV)

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12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

27 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic(1 )either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32 "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.