Hanging out in Thin Places

Do you remember that movie "Home" where the Boov suck up all the humans with their reverse gravity vacuums and relocate them to another part of the planet?

This isn't going to be a perfect analogy so don't get stuck here.

But there's this book I've been reading, Thin Places, that shows how it's become a habit of the Church to believe our job is to "extract" humans from their normal lives so we can hide them in a church building. And every time I read this word "extraction" I can't help but picture the Boov vacuuming people out of New York! Am I crazy or do you see it too?

The nicer wording for this habit is called having an "attractional model" of church. And that's not all bad, because I definitely want people to know Jesus and buildings can come in handy for that.

But, what if, as this book proposes, instead of trying to convince people to come to our building, we spend time submersing in the places God's already placed us, spent time really listening, practicing a posture of openness, inviting others to be part of our lives, and contending for relationships in a disposable relationship society.

So, that's one of the books I'm reading.

I don't substitute teach in the summer, so I have the time to read, and to pastor a little more like I'd like to, and to reappear or linger in some of my relationships that get neglected during other seasons.

I think we have this same pic at IF a few times before. But it's fun to compare.

These past few weeks I've hosted church in my house and on zoom. I had a four-hour lunch with my cousin. We figured out how to fix everything...if only we were in charge of everything. I also went to an event hosted by the group Lucha to hear from author Cristina Jimenez. A few days later I spent some time talking on the phone with one of the Lucha representatives, hearing a little about her heart and what they do. It was a privilege to be included in the stories that it's sometimes easier to hold closer to the chest. Neither of us truly knew just how completely the issue would take over many of our thoughts, prayers, and television sets just days later, but I believe there was purpose in the timing of my conversations.

Moses has been in a theater camp these past two weeks at the community college. And because I don't want to waste two hours just driving every day, I've spent a few of the days submerged in the area while I get church related stuff done. Making the drive together and then making my church office at various cafe tables has really given me an opportunity to think about and experience what it means to be "with" others.

Mo and I made a stop at Chef Ned and Mama Lisa's Intentional Foods for an allergy friendly lunch one day. I browsed some independently owned bookstores, and since I just finished reading Crying in HMart, I of course bought some pickled daikon radish and matcha powder from HMart. I found an Instagram-worthy, pink-themed bakery with vibrantly colored pan dulces and character themed blended coffees.

Then I ran into this spot that felt like it came straight out of the pages of Thin Places, because of just how well it allows for good listening, submerging and contending for community. If you tell them, it's your first time there they will tell you their story and how it's a place dedicated to fighting poverty, promoting workers' rights, and providing space for community, networking, students and starry-eyed entrepreneurs.

Yesterday I watched a business meeting, laptops and all, take place where everyone was wearing shorts and t-shirts. A student holding a Bible came in and sat across from a middle-aged woman. He leaned in close and seemed to be asking her questions about what he'd been reading. It was no big deal. Not showy or loud. Just honest. Two young women wearing hijabs acted just like me and my friends did at their age, grinning broadly, laughing happily and taking selfies. Another group of girls sat for hours just coloring, and others did homework or read, with Nora Jones and the Beatles playing softly in the background. They have free office space available and sell for local artists. On my way out the door I grabbed a flyer tacked to the bulletin board with a list of emergency shelters. Because pastoring requires having this information. And I love what it said to me about hospitality that this was there in the coffee shop for their customers.

Sitting there for several hours sending emails, researching outreach and youth trip fundraisers got me thinking about the book again. What are some of the things I learned from just being and listening this week? What have I noticed? I've heard that people are lonely and really do want community. Even if they're introverts and say they don't. I have heard that people want to be given a chance to succeed without being bulldozed by the 1%. I've learned that they want to afford to provide nutritious foods and enriching activities for their children. And most importantly, that they want to be seen as equally human, and equally as worthy of love and respect and opportunities as the next person. They want to fully live life instead of just surviving somewhere under the radar.

I also thought about what submerged in, listening to, and contending for community looks like in my own zip code? What does it mean not just for me but the congregation I help lead?

I think about things we've done that fits the bill. Asking the Title 1 coordinators at some of the public schools near us, "What do the families you work with need most to start the school year out well?" Circle groups in which we encourage our congregation members to purposely invite others to join them in what they're already doing. Hanging out at places nearby often enough that they know our names (although they do NOT know for certain how I take my coffee because I change it up all the time). Collecting donations for a friend who suddenly received the kinship fostering responsibility for his nieces and nephews.

And I dream about things we want to do. Being "just love" with no strings attached in libraries and farmer's markets, and care facilities. Front yard BBQ's and Christmas caroling. We have ideas and I have hopes.

While this book Thin Places is about the Church, and faith, in many ways I think these are ideas that can greatly improve people's lives and society as a whole, regardless of what context you find yourself in. Don't just wait for others to come to you...join them where they're at. Learn to listen well. Intentionally plug into the area you live in and build relationships with those you can see in front of you. And fight for healthier and more sustainable relationships. It doesn't matter who you are...times are tough right now! Don't try to do it all alone.

P.S. The places I love in within a few miles of the Southern/Dobson area of Mesa, listed in this blog:

Cielito Rosa Bakery, Southern and Dobson, right across from the MCC football field parking lot

Bean Chain Coffee Beanchain Coffee | Coffee Shop | 1110 W Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85202

Intentional Foods (IF Cafe & Market) - Dobson Ranch, Mesa, AZ

Tempe | Changing Hands Bookstore