Church and Mission: Quick Reflection from 11/11/09

We attended Fuller's annual Missiology Lecture instead of class in order to hear Bishop Graham Cray speak on the Fresh Expressions movement that has been rejuvenating the Anglican church. It was very interesting and I ended up staying for most of the panel that was held afterward. I agree with the idea that churches should not be restricted to certain geographic areas. We live in a network society and it only makes sense that people will learn of Christ through someone in one of their networks rather than through the church down the street, which they most likely will have no connection to or desire to connect with. I also agree, however, with the criticism expressed at the panel that we cannot simply get rid of a geographic focus. Both need to be present. Simply having a focus on particular networks creates insular pockets of homogeneity that separate people rather than bringing them together. Geographic foci bring differing people together who would otherwise have no reason to mix. In my opinion, the health of a church can be determined to a large extent in its diversity: in age, in gender, in race, in culture, and in likes and dislikes. This diversity is provided by bringing differing networks together, which can be accomplished through a complementary continuation of the geographic model (that is, a local church in the area facilitating). However, the geographic model cannot be allowed to become so rigid that people of one geographic area must go to a particular parish, as has been the case in the past.