Aj Schwanz

Yesterday Jason and I gathered together with some folks from our worship gathering to share about how we’ve seen God moving. Judah greeted the gathered folks with warm hugs and then provided background noise from down the hall in the nursery (oh, the giggles and squeals). Gregg, who “clerked” the gathering (i.e. he sent out the email asking us to gather, he provided childcare and facilities and a check-in question), cracks me up: everytime we have a gathering like this, he voices concern of “we’re not prepared” and “what should we talk about? what should we do?”. I’m finally picking up on my husband’s more-laid-back approach to life: “Show up. Ask where we see God moving. That should take care of a couple of hours.” And it did: it great, amazing, very exciting ways.

The number of gathered folks was smaller than it has been which initially shook the facilitator in me: do less people mean we’re not as passionate about this? Nope: the quality of content shared has been some of the most energizing and life-giving I’ve experienced in a while. Yay for God being in control rather than me, eh?

Folks shared about where they’ve been and where they’re going. Some had a definite vision, some had questions, others had observations: but we all seemed to have this crazy itchy place that’s motivating us to see where God’s moving. It didn’t seem to be a time of church bashing so much as practical noticings: Newberg is a town full of folks aching for God’s healing and wholeness – both outside of church gatherings as well as inside. What does it look like to be God’s light as we walk about in our daily Newbergian lives?

• Using the church building as a resource for the town, not hoarding it for ourselves

• Getting into our community to know the places people gather

• Not falling into meeting church obligations, but rather following God leadings

• Opening our eyes to folks who need help – we’ve been blind to folks even on our front steps

• Looking at our past: what’s been behind growth in the past? What itchings were folks feeling, and how did God direct?

• Recognizing strengths of our identity as well as blocks:¬† sometimes our beliefs and attitudes on things such as silence and alcohol can hinder rather than help

• Having a safe place to come, sharing noticings, educate, ask questions, brainstorm, worship: continue asking “Where is God moving, and how am I/are we called to be a part?”

Do you have places that you do this? Where do you discern God’s calling? What are you sensing as you walk about your daily life? My sense is that I want to be a resource: to help folks in those foundational blocks of identity, healing, wholeness, daily living. And I ache to connect folks who have similar passions: we’re not called to walk alone – God’s put us into community for a reason.

So, what are you hearing? Do you have that God-placed itch that’s driving you into God’s presence? Wanna scratch?