Today we embark on the journey of a lifetime. Or at least of right now. A journey of now, which is all we really ever have. We begin with where we live, where we do life – Ventura. A city, a people, a community we’ve known and loved for well over a decade. An even longer time if you ask my wife. A life since the 70’s. A place we have roots, where we’re planted. So why now? Why another church?
First off, we’re not for “another” church. We’re for more of the church. A church that might not be for everyone but a place where everyone is welcome. A place that isn’t even a place at all, but a family. A family that gathers and lives and shares with one another. Shares with others. A family that is open. Growing.
I don’t know what you believe or don’t believe about God but you’ve probably heard this part, God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son. That whoever might believe in him would not perish but have eternal life.
The crazy thing is God didn’t/does just love the world, he sooo (houtos) loved the world. Meaning that he loved it “in this way”, that he would do what he did. He’s obsessed with the world. The word world in the original language (kosmos) isn’t just about this cute little, blue speck of earth in the universe, but its inhabitants – the human family. And not good people. Bad, greedy, narcissistic, doubtful, selfish, insensitive type people. People like us. God soooo loved that bunch of people that he gave it his all to be with them. And there weren’t stipulations as to who.
There were no reservations for the good, those with potential, the exceptional, the gifted, the holy.
Nope. Just. Whoever. Whoever chooses to believe, they’re in.
This is where we find our hope, this where we find our directive. To be an expression of God’s ridiculous, unconditional love to the world.