Something from Cassi

Posted as a comment to Lewminator.
Thank you, Cassi. We need to hear this.
Keep us in prayer as we repent of pride.

Thanks for speaking from the heart and giving us a lot to think about.


FROM CASSI
Lew,

i apologize in advance for the length.

I've recently started reading several blogs from people within the house church and it has given me plenty of thinking to do over the last few weeks. Needless to say, I live in a very different part of Cincinnati with a very different daily experience of life and of God. It is always encouraging and exciting to me to see the people being affected in Northside as a result of the presence of everyone there. It encourages me often to think about other ways I can be a blessing to the people around me and the people who have less than me. It is encouraging to me to see the whole crew united and truly taking risks as y'all believe in the power of prayer. Again, I am reminded of my own lack of faith at times and am encouraged to trust God and do things for him that I am often afraid to do.

I think that my respect for the lifestyle and ministry of the people of your house church is why I am disappointed when I read so many criticisms and blames on an often unnamed "rich church."

Note: I am posting here on your blog specifically not to respond to any person's comment - I do not want to start an argument or attack people. I know that you will respectfully read my response and consider my words.

There are certainly churches out there who abuse their resources and their power. THere are certainly downsides and difficulties that come with larger churches. As has been mentioned, people can slip through the cracks. It is easy for people to live independent Christian lives. It is easy to remain anonymous. It can be hard to reach some isolated needs. It can be hard to show individual attention to people that need it. It can be easy to turn it into a "look-at-us" show. But may I speak for this "unnamed church" AS A FORMER CYNIC myself. I didn't like it the first time I went, it was too big. How would I ever get involved? But as I went back and listened to the heart of those in leadership, I realized that this is a place full of people who are serious about being a blessing to the city Cincinnati - no excuses. I have seen this church take some incredible risks financially and otherwise to do just that. It is absolutely possible for people to fall through the cracks, but no church proper can attend to every need in the city. The vision is to have the church - each person and each relationship live in daily sacrifice to the people around them, only then will the church be the church. If that happens (and I've seen it in action), then groups of friends, Christians, members of THE church work together to make a difference in the lives of the people around them. They aren't dependent upon the church to provide them with all the answers on how to meet needs, which has its own positives and negatives. They creatively and actively involve themselves in the lives of others. Their sacrifices may not look as extreme as many in the house church, but there are hundreds of stories of people, families who have made sacrifices financially and with their time to support what this church is doing. It's normal people making sacrifices, putting off buying cars, houses, going on vacations, buying clothes, or literally skipping meals so they can be a part of what is going on here.

A large part of the money raised went to build an aids hospice in south africa through a partnership. It wasn't just given so as to make the group dependent upon the church here, but it was a partnership, to aid in the success of their building. It is the largest hospice in the entire country. The significance being that it would be equivalent of people in over-the-rhine or northside building the largest, most resourced hospital in cincinnati. People gave generously and sacrificially here because they believed in making a difference there.

A partnership of about 5 churches and 5 other organizations in Cincinnati has formed to build what will be called the CityLink center. Not just a homeless shelter or a food kitchen, but a place where people can go to get life skills and education and support and walk alongside people, Christians so that they may walk again and rise up out of poverty. Hundreds of volunteers will be giving their time here. It is a place I hope to get involved in, perhaps even with counseling. People gave generously and sacrificially because they want to be a part of making a difference in the lives of those in Cincinnati.

Because of the risks and the responsibility with which this church has acted in the city, the architect of the new building is now a follower of Christ. The construction crew bent over backward to get the construction done in time for a dedication service because the church was ethical and generous with their money and respect.

I understand some may challenge the motives of the church and the people here. To those, I would give the challenge: attend the church regularly for 3 months and get involved somewhere. Listen to the vision. Talk to the volunteers and see why they do it. Think about the hundreds of people who have started a relationship with Christ, not because of the church, but because of the lives that people have lived in their communities and who have been willing to introduce their friends and neighbors to Christ. Think about the hundreds of people who had given up on God or given up on Christ or never would have taken the next step in their relationship with Christ if they hadn't had a non-threatening place to go and be challenged. Now there are many more people who were perhaps raised in the church but never understood what it meant to live a sacrificial life to God.

Then consider the leadership. How often do you see large churches taking risks and not just playing it safe on what they are sure they can accomplish merely because of their size. See if you don't get the impression that this is a place that does not want to be a church, but a place that wants to rely on the power and the vision of God.

I will never say that this is the only way to "do church." There are things that this church can do, impacts that this church can have because of its great number of resources - the largest of those being volunteers. Never have they hosted an event or volunteer opportunity and come up short. There are always more volunteers than needed. There have been choices made to make sure the place is run by volunteers so that they don't have to hire and pay as many staff members as other churchs the same size. It's large. It has its negatives. But I ask people to consider that money and resources are not indicators of pride and selfishness. The attitude of the heart of so many of the people here is gratitude and generosity.


Often God gives generously to those who give generously first. Often God gives generously of other non-financial things to those who give generously of their lives. I admire the choices many of you have made and the experiences in northside, the opportunity to change lives of people in poverty to whom maybe noone has shown respect. There are relationships built there and experiences had that most people will not experience. Those are invaluable. The sacrifices made by many of you are recognized and praise is given to God for your obedience. I and others are encouraged by your service.

But I ask for the same respect and in the spirit of unity, I ask for the same consideration - to recognize that there are people even in a large church who live and give sacrificially of themselves, their time, and their money. And that there are downsides to all churches - large and small.

I do hope this has not come across as argumentative or attacking. I have tried to be fair and not to put either "church" above the other. I think it is exciting to consider the reactions of the people in cincinnati when they see both churches large and small responding with love and mutual respect. So many different groups of people will be reached and people will see so many manifestations of the love of Christ.


cassi