Dear friends,

Last weekend I was able to participate in a two-day event sponsored by our Synod. The keynote speaker, Pastor Michael Adam Beck, challenged us to look at ministry outside of our current building. Based on the Fresh Expression movement, Pastor Beck shared some very non-traditional worship communities.

He began with Burritos and Bibles – a gathering at a Mexican restaurant to talk about life and check out the Bible, that grew into a second location and sharing together the Lord’s Supper.

Another community is based at a dog park. A gentleman had met people while watching their dogs play. He invited a few to gather for a few minutes of prayer the following week. Now, there are 2-3 dozen humans who talk about a “Jesus story” and pray while their dogs run and play.

Still other communities gather at a tattoo parlor and online yoga. Living Room Church is now a weekly Facebook offering.