Starting something new

Its always exciting to start something new, it gives us that slightly nervous tension where excitement meets being out of the comfort zone. I sometimes wonder if we go to the edge enough, or whether we just settle for comfortable. Certainly as you read through the gospels and Acts there is no doubt about the edg-i-ness of much of what goes on. Church planting among the Gentiles being just one example.

It is therefore with a sense of excitement that at the end of this month we will be trying something new. We will be launching a new service (Listening to Phillip Jensen on Church planting I think he'd say this was planting a new congregation or church) on a Sunday evening.

The idea is simple and not very radical but it was the result of studying the shape and context of the church in Acts. It will be church meeting in a home taking devoting itself to the teaching the Bible, prayer, one another and remembering Jesus death for us seriously. Initially we will be meeting in 5 or 6 week blocks in different peoples homes, its a opportunity to take the gospel community on the road.

But one of the big questions was what to call it? The Evening Service - doesn't really sum up what it does or where it is! Simple church (makes Sunday mornings seem complex), Pure Church (suggests something impure about mornings). So far the favourite is to call it LightHouse. We meet in a house and it is place where the light of the gospel will be taught and treasured. Any other thoughts welcomed!