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Went to McDonald’s drive-thru last night (I hardly ever do this) and was surprised that the restaurant itself was closed for remodeling; just the drive-thru was open.

McDonald’s continues to be the best at what it does. They are about the cheapest, quickest and tastiest of the fast food joints (I know this only from limited personal experience.) Got my McChicken something, fries, Diet Coke (see, I actually eat kinda healthy) apple pie, and mentioned the remodel going on.

“Yes, and now we’re going to have an anti-microbial play area…” is what the young woman said while taking my credit card. I didn’t know how to respond, so I said “huh” and took my dinner in return. I started to drive away since I’d rather read in my office than go anywhere, and I still had an hour before I needed to be over at Grace Presbyterian.

I checked my bag as I was pulling out, just to make sure McDonald’s filled my order correctly (I have read that sometimes fast food places don’t get your order right). And that’s when I realized we should advertise this.

Genesis should get known as An Anti-Microbial Play Area. Rather than germs and dangers we are a place where it is safe to play at faith and theology, philosophy and ethics, psychology and literature, music, arts and social activism…all with no danger of getting sick from those playing near you.

We are an extraordinary site hosting a very playful and hands on type of spiritual nurture.  It might frighten some folk to be so actively involved in worship, but that is what we are about. Like toddlers watching others climb around and slide back down I see folks weighing whether or not to participate as they listen, especially during Offerings. And better yet I see when they can remain silent no longer but decide to take part in our ongoing dialogue of all things that matter.

In some communities I know it can be dangerous to express who you really are. But in our remodel we have created a safe and clean space where the antibodies of love and acceptance help fight off any lingering residue of judgment left behind. Your continued horsing around in our liturgical ball pit is building all of us up into more healthy and creative disciples.

Pastor Don

Ministry is way too important to leave to the paid staff !

So we are Actively Taking Part, Moving Beyond Self-Interest, and Serving Others.

Lay leadership is about moving from being passive consumers of a product to taking our discipleship seriously. It is too easy to remain content sitting on the sidelines and critiquing casually.  Too often members get disappointed in the local brand and rather than help shape the product move on down the street for greener grass.

Genesis knows pastors “come and go” and that it is up to the members to create and support programs and ministry. When we speak about Outfitting Authentic Disciples we are thinking of folks who take ownership of their faith journey. 

We expect a great deal from our pastor, including pastoral shepherding, prophetic preaching and constant invitation and encouragement in growing our own participation. We need more communication and comfort with conflict. We are trying to increase the spiritual and emotional investment of our worshipers as we grow in maturity.  This is a hard shift. It is even hard to talk about! This major aspect of our redevelopment has cost us some members. And it has also already brought some new ones in.

Our Ego always pursues what is best for SELF. We know that following Jesus as Lord requires de-throning the SELF from determining all our preferences .

Our Ego is always asking “is this, for me, the right (usually meaning “comfortable”) congregation/pastor/decision/tradition/building…?”  Willingness to be led by Christ means we step beyond what we are comfortable with. 

This isn’t always easy. Okay, it is seldom easy. But we do think it’s more fun. During our New Beginnings process we came to realize a shift was going to have to take place if we were to re-claim a vibrant future for our community. We learned that sometimes churches produce Consumers of spiritual products rather than Disciples. So we are working on ministry  with each other and owning our parts in leadership and decision making. We think it is a better way to do church.

WHAT YOU MIGHT NOTICE IN OUR ACTIVIST CHURCH: In worship our lay leader does the announcements, leads the call to worship and unison prayer, reads the first scripture lesson, and even takes on the prayers of the people (the heart of our worship) often. We enjoy our music at Genesis and have numerous opportunities in song and sung responses to participate. During Pastor Don’s sermon there are often opportunities to share reflections or answer a question, reference an additional scripture passage or respond to a point.

We have learned to take part in preaching as a dialogue. Yes, Pastor Don has been through a lot of schooling. But there is A LOT of wisdom sitting in the chairs on any given Sunday too. During the prayers of the people we share joys and concerns with one another because we know that is how community is strengthened. It is risky sometimes. And sometimes you can really feel the spirit move at Genesis because lives are coming into authentic contact with one another in ways they don’t any place else.

In addition we have a time called “Offerings.” After the plates are passed we take part in a conversation across the aisle about what the sermon has covered, where we are as families and employees and disciples and students and divorcees and those who occupy every strata of life. To hear from one another changes our congregation. It takes some willingness on worshiper’s part! Worship at Genesis is never boring. Really. In large part because we are constantly a part of it.

At every level of decision making, in all sorts of mission work and service, and throughout our worship experience we are reminded that our own participation is key to joyous life in Christ.

Click HERE for details of our Core Values!

Fall 2015

It is odd that we would even need to mention this in the 21st century. But a significant majority of Christendom doesn’t recognize the legitimacy of Women as equal partners in Leadership and Ministry.*  We think this is truly a shame.

First, we wonder: how on earth do they get anything done?!

In Christ “there is neither male nor female…”  Paul writes in Galatians. We take that to mean at least that in Christ there is both male and female and we should be celebrating the distinctive gifts that women have always provided the church with.

Our pulpit is regularly filled by women, our liturgists are often women, so we are accustomed to being led in preaching, teaching, scripture reading, and prayer by the same women who help us discern the spirit at every level of our governance and life together.

It is not enough to suggest women can help with fundraising bake sales and training up our kids.  We hope for continued growth in our society’s treatment and respect of women, and are making sure at Genesis the New Kingdom is in full view.

* Half of Christendom is Catholic. They bring a great deal of richness and diversity theologically, culturally, and in our country especially ethnically to the kingdom. For this we are grateful indeed! Another significant group of Conservative and Evangelical Christians similarly have much to bring to the table of religion. And they similarly prohibit women from sharing fully in the Body of Christ.