Yesterday started out like any other Sunday ... up and off to church. "Church" has been somewhat different over the past several weeks. After losing our lease on the space our church community had been utilizing, as well as other unavoidable circumstances, we have been meeting in the home(s) of some of our church leaders. Our small community of believers has been quickly dwindling over the past several months; some moving out of state, others moving across town and still others simply making the choice to move churches all together. I, however, had really grown to love the group of people I called "my church" and so I choose to stay despite the adversities before us.
One of the things that drawed me close to the church in the beginning was the diverse group of people attending there. Pentecostal meets Southern Baptist meets Republican meets Independant. Tatoos and ripped jeans meets suit and tie. Liberal meets Conservative. But on Sundays we all meet to learn more about ourselves, others and God and how to love all in real, tangible ways. George a Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching, fun-loving guy led us by example, teaching us to live out love to those around us, particularly those hurting among us.
George shared with us on Sunday that despite the loyalties of this small community of believers, our church just couldn't continue on as a "church" any longer. After seeking many other alternatives and meeting repeatedly with our leaders, as well as, other churches it was decided it was time to "celebrate what we've accomplished as a community and go". I knew it was coming, it was no surprise, but I was upset just the same. I was upset that so many churches split over logistics and legalistic views and dis-respect and dishonesty among it's people. This church, the one I grew to love was forced to shut its doors due to numbers (of lack thereof). Few numbers means few dollars and regardless of how small the "church" is, it still needs funds to grow and bring visions to fruition. I believe that God had/has His hand in this. I believe God is going to do great things with each person in this church. But, it saddens me that we are not going to be doing it together as the church community I had grown to love.
So, in Nashville-like fashion, I begin the "church-hop" once again. I've been to 4 churches in my 91/2 years in Nashville and I've never been more loved nor loved the people more than I did here at Designers.
Attached are a few photos from a recent church gathering. They'll be more to come in the upcoming weeks as we meet for a few more gatherings.
