Key Metaphors (2of3)

Metaphor 2.  Attractional vs. Incarnational

In church world attractional indicates a church that is focused on inviting people into it’s walls.  The image is a of a church that is a desired destination and people out there will bring people into here.

Incarnational is a word that’s meaning comes from the idea of being in the flesh.  This usually indicates a church whose focus is on what people do outside of the church walls.  People taking the message out.  There is no specific epicenter for mission it is everywhere.

We believe that as followers of Jesus we should not be one or the other but rather both.  If the church is doing it’s job it should be a place where others are invited to.  If the church is doing it’s job it should also be equipping people and encouraging people to be sent out.  Or as we typically say it, to “take it to the streets.”

Coming this Fall – A new worship time in a new place

Coming this fall, a new Alley worship, at a new time and another location.

In addition to Sunday morning, this coming fall we will be launching a new worship site on Sunday evenings in the Midway area of St. Paul.

In preparation for this we want to make sure that we are doing the most important thing first.  Seeking the Lord and His leading, praying for His protection from evil and for unity.  Please join us in praying for this site, the people it will reach and the city impact it will have.

Sunday night March 28th and every 4th Sunday of the month until the fall launch we will be doing a Sunday evening prayer and worship time in the Midway to seek the Lord’s leading on this. Shoot us an email at info@theAlley.org if you’d like more info or to get involved.

A special thanks to LINC – Twin Cities for their partnership in this.  They are both financially supporting this effort and coming along side in mission.  LINC is an organization that supports urban ministry and church planting.  They will be leading the “on the street” mission effort and will be hiring a full time site leader/worship leader to support this.

A new video

I was asked by our denomination to shoot a short video on what it’s like to be a mission church 2 1/2 years after launch.  Thought I’d share.

Kids Against Hunger

I missed you all this last weekend.  Had a beautiful and much needed daddy weekend.  But, I’ll warn you I woke up hungry to preach on Sunday and am already looking forward to next week.  We are entering into some awesome parts of Romans.

To the real reason for this post.  This last weekend our friend Jenny invited us to serve for a couple hours with a ministry called Kids Against Hunger.  As a parent it is really hard to find missional things that the entire family could be a part of.  So, this was such a gift.  My 4 year old daughter was helping to load bags of food while my hair net clad boys filled them, weighed them and passed them down.

It was an awesome experience.  So much so that I’m thinking that this could be a great thing for our church to get involved with on our own.  Praying on that.  Potentially more to come at a later date.