Quaker's & Frisbee

Last night I did two exciting things. I found out about this Quaker church through Relevant Magazine's church directory. I contacted them and the Pastor called me back inviting me to their Wednesday night meeting. They've been reading "A Generous Orthodoxy" by Brian McLaren and discussing issues raised in the book. It was a small gathering. Two couples, the pastor, and me. One lady raised a question that I thought particularly interesting. They were discussing McLaren's chapter on the connotations of the word "Evangelical" and how, for many, that is a negative word that equals fundamentalist, close minded conservative, or perhaps bigot. She was saying that, before she was a Christian, she hated the talks she would have with believers about the Lord and the way they would present "the plan of salvation" to her in such a pre-packaged manner. However, after she came to know Jesus she found herself on the other side of the fence participating in the things which she found so intolerable before she was a believer. "I wonder how that happened?" She asked. My response was that there is a lack of good alternatives. This lady (Colleen) really had been saved by Jesus, but once given new life, she had no where to turn but to the Church which was saturated with formuals, codes of conduct, and so many other religious burdens that have little to do with actually following Jesus. Shane Claiborne has a great quote: "Be the church you dream of." That's the real solution to Colleen's question. If we begin to truly live as followers of Christ, as people under grace, God will build us into a family that welcomes new believers like Colleen and nurtures the new life within them, but doesn't turn them into some kind of spiritual robot or salesman.

After I left the group, I rushed home, changed clothes, and looked up directions to go play ULTIMATE! I arrived at the field and was shocked by the amount of people there - TONS! I ended up playing with a team that had an open spot. They invited me to join them on a regular basis. I love frisbee culture. Everyone has a really great attitude, and it was a great time of making new friends. As I stood on the field I looked out to my right and saw downtown Asheville all lit up in the dusk sky with the silhouette of towering mountains in the background. I was overwhelmed by the fact that I'm actually living in such a beautiful, exciting city.

Praise!