Sorry for the late report.  I am still decompressing a little from the Born Again Church Tour (Off The Map’s “LIVE” event) in Denver.  You’ll notice I do not say much about the actual content of the event here (I did more of that in my Seattle report).  It’s not because I wasn’t amazed by it, but this event took a more personal track for me.  So this will be a more personal reflection.  And please…forgive me for the rambling here.  Things are still settling in my soul.

Foothills Community Church was the venue, a church that decided to stay in the strip mall they were renting in and express the Kingdom of God right there on the bus line.  They sold some property they were originally intending to build on outside of town (modern church growth strategy) and began to dig in right where they were, committed to a vision of serving the poor and disenfranchised in that neighborhood by providing space for new non-profit businesses and services in the same mall where their worship center is. In some ways, this was a great example of a local church actually being “born again”, which was the theme of our event. New lead pastor Steve Harling is building a team and a vision for that community that is really inspiring.  I got to hang out with him and meet some of his new (and young) staff, which was a huge treat for me.  They have a tough road ahead, but I was encouraged by their hearts and their desire to bring about change in themselves as well as their community.

The Refugees (Kathy and Carl and the rest of the wonderful crew from The Refuge) were the backbone of this event.  They served food, washed dishes, moved equipment and generally made sure everyone had what they needed during the two days (including a place to crash for me and Tyler).  Kathy Escobar is, I’m sure, quite happy the weekend has passed as she spent tons of time and energy getting the logistics together for us.  She is one beautiful person with a heart so tender and passionate and HUGE that you almost feel it when you hug her.  She looks a lot like Jesus to me.  I was so humbled and honored to be with these dear servants.  

There were a lot of young people at this event.  I was thrilled to speak to many of them (including a new friend from Arizona who I met at the airport!), but one group in particular connected with me in a way I am still not able to explain.  The gang from the Arvada Vineyard not only made discussions really fun, but they also invited me and my young partner in crime (Tyler, the OTM Intern) to join them for pizza and brews at a nearby home after the Friday night program came to a close. We spent a few hours just talking and sharing and at the end I felt like I was somehow part of them.  There was an enormous affection between us that was very touching and powerfully healing for me.  I was deeply encouraged as they prayed for me and I for them.  

The OTM team have become family to me.  Elaine, Helen, Jim, Craig, Todd, Tyler, Elizabeth…and now David Kinnaman (who has spoken at both events this year and has become a dear friend to us).  These folks have just given so much to me (and many others) and are so fun to work with that I feel a little depressed when I have to leave.  They all continue to be a huge source of inspiration and encouragement to me.

My dear friend (who I’ve known for over 30 years now), Corbin Hillam, came up from Colorado Springs to do one of his custom chalk drawings for us on Friday.  We haven’t seen each other in at least 15 years, but it was like no time had passed at all.  Corb got some pretty high praise from Todd Hunter in our last session, when he said that Corb was actually DOING outside what we were TALKING about inside.  He talked to and listened to people all day as he drew on the sidewalk outside the entryway, including a few skaters and others who wandered through the shopping center who weren’t part of our event.  Corb was a huge encouragement to me.

Mostly I was encouraged by all the 20 and 30-something leaders who I was privileged to chat with this weekend.  They see the world freshly, hopefully, and with few obsticles. They are committed to being the church, not just going to church.  They “get” what we’re noticing and talking about in these events, and are for the most part surprised by the fact that we who are, uh…older…are just now getting a clue (it’s just so obvious to them).  We must listen to them, learn from them, watch them and encourage them to keep following Jesus in the unique and fresh ways they naturally seem to gravitate to.  They are curious, comfortable with wonder and mystery, willing to risk everything for the sake of the Kingdom of God, and they need (and want) those of us who are older to walk alongside them as they do.  This felt like a wake-up call from God, for me and for all those who care about the future of the church.  

Over the past few years I had nearly lost hope in the church. These dear ones gave some of it back to me. In this sense, my heart and soul were indeed “born again” in Denver. 

For a picture fest of the Denver event, click HERE.