003 | Can I Say...?

As most of my friends already know, I've had an extremely difficult time finding a church where I really feel comfortable being myself. The last two years have seen me hop from service to service, looking for a place in which I can connect with God, others, myself, and creation without sensing that I might be unwelcome due to my progressive outlook on the Christian faith (or worse, due to my sexuality).

And I'm not alone in my search. That's why from Fall of 2008 to Fall of 2009, a close-knit group of friends and I conducted a series of gatherings that gave all who decided to join us a chance to ask the questions they had always wanted to ask but felt they couldn't and to be accepted, no matter who they were. In short, we created the environment we had been longing for but that the churches in our area didn't seem to be offering.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before things like school and work began to get in the way for those of us who ran the meetings. So the group dispersed and I continued the pursuit of a faith community I could eventually call my own. And the good news is, I think I've found one. Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan is over 2200 miles away from where I live and was therefore an unlikely candidate. But over the past few months, it's come to feel like my home away from home. Every week (or most weeks, anyway) I download the podcast of their Sunday sermon and listen to either Rob Bell or Shane Hipps (Mars Hill's teaching pastors and two of my favorite authors/speakers) talk about what it means to bring heaven to earth.

But the reason I feel so drawn to this community isn't just because I respect its leaders. Unlike many churches (at least in my experience), Mars Hill is defined by those who make up it's congregation. I'm talking about over 10,000 people (more than that if you count online followers) who have committed their lives to "Living out the way of Jesus in missional communities, announcing the arrival of his kingdom, and working for measurable change among the oppressed" (this, by the way, is the official Mars Hill Mission Statement). And even though I'm unable to attend the actual services, I can still connect with these people via Mars Hill's Website. For every podcast, the administrators post discussion questions that allow listeners to engage with one another as they delve deeper into the topic at hand.

Of course, there is a downside to this type of long-distance relationship. For instance, I'm unable to participate in a lot of the things that in-person attendees can, such as worship, classes, volunteer work, retreats, and mission trips. And sadly, that's where most community building occurs. However, I still feel that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. And a dynamic like this is definitely better than nothing, at least until I can find something a little bit closer to home.

For those of you who know where I'm coming from in terms of feeling rejected, I suggest you give Mars Hill a try. Check out the summary of their beliefs (what they refer to as Narrative Theology). And if you'd like to learn even more about them, you can read up on their values (or Directions). Last but not least, don't forgot about the podcast, which you can download from iTunes for free.