Wildly Successful

Recently, I was struck by a blog written by a friend and colleague, about her “wildly successful” church. Hmm, I thought. I’ve been to that church. They share donated space, don’t have an organ, or stained glass, or even a pulpit to preach from. About 25 to 30 people congregate there weekly. Yet, they know themselves to be “wildly successful.” What makes a church wildly successful? Perhaps it is more than filling the pews.

At Wildly Successful UMC, they cite their work to become an anti-racism church, and proudly acknowledge their efforts toward inclusion and equality. They model a way of doing church that is “radically relevant” in the 21st Century. They envision their own building one day, a community center that provides a home for their congregation, but also houses a counseling center, office sharing for small non-profits, community room, day laborers' center, and interfaith worship space. That is a very different vision of church.

So what is your vision of the 21st Century Church? What would that look like in Suburbia, USA? What is the world’s great need? Where is God in all that?