Three years ago this month, I wrote a post about experiencing church, stripped down. I included the hypothetical scenario of lights going out to suggest that what we as the church have without power is really the only “power” worth having. I’ve used this analogy many times since, including a brief presentation I made to an Internet/marketing class at a local college last week.
It was a pleasant surprise to learn that Jerry Hendrix, a pastor in Abilene, Texas, is in the middle of just such an experiment. “Crosspoint Fellowship is eschewing electricity, save for the children’s class, this February and devoting the money it saves to mission work. No heat, no lights, not even coffee,” says Scott Kirk, in his online report of the story.
I’m always encouraged to see church communities that are concerned more with church taking place rather than church just being a place.
Ryan B
February 23, 2009
I think that this is a great idea. So many times I wonder if the church is spending money in the right ways. This is very encouraging. They didn’t have electricity 2000 years ago, I think that Crosspoint will be able to work without electricity today. This is an awesome way to increase their missional work. Great idea.
PW
February 23, 2009
Well said and great idea. I grew up in an area considered “power-challenged” and know exactly what you mean about the need to focus of the TRUE source of Power in the American church today.
Kevin D. Hendricks
February 23, 2009
My church actually suggested a ‘parka Sunday’ among other idea to trim costs so we wouldn’t have to cut our staff budget. Unfortunately a few weeks later the furnace broke and we actually put the idea into practice without any warning. Doh.
Let’s just say it’s a lot easier to suggest cutting the heat in Abilene, Texas than St. Paul, Minnesota. ;-)