Do you see what I see?

I have pretty bad eyesight. If I am without glasses or contact lenses you have to stand no further than a foot away in order for me to see you clearly.

There are parts of this multi-site adventure that feel a little bit like we’re moving forward without corrective lenses. Some things are blurry or can’t be seen at all…yet.

There are aspects of becoming a multi-site church that remain blurry to my physical eyes at this time, causing me to ask questions like the following: Where exactly will our Sunnyside downtown congregation meet with God and with each other and in what exact downtown neighbourhood? And, who are the remaining 30 (or more) people who are willing to participate in the launch team, preparing to become an active Sunnyside downtown congregation by Easter 2010? (You are welcome to tell me who you are anytime!)

There are some aspects of becoming a multi-site church that my physical eyes see more clearly, even since one month ago: I see real people (about 30 of you) beginning to take active, prayerful interest in becoming a downtown congregation. I see a ‘location team’ starting to make phone calls and taking initiative to seek and find our physical space downtown. I see unexpected financial provision. I see creative people discerning how to capture and communicate our identity and vision, through words and pictures. I see a hospitality team already planning the menu for our next launch team meeting together (next week, October 25, 12:45, RSVP kronberg@sympatico.ca!).

It is important to open our eyes and physically see how the multi-site initiative is moving forward. Also, and more importantly, I have a fierce desire for us to wear the corrective lenses of faith as we move forward with this endeavor.

Here is what I see through the corrective lenses of faith: I see Jesus Christ, Lord of all, seated at the right hand of God, praying for us. Jesus prays that we will be one just like he and the Father are one. Jesus prays that we will be holy, people who are permanently changed by his love. Jesus prays that we will be witnesses, the very fragrance of Christ everywhere we go so that many people come to a point where they see and embrace him as their own.

With each passing month it is likely that we will see the physical realities of the Sunnyside downtown congregation more clearly. That will be good. But what will be even better and what is most important is that we keep our eyes absolutely fixed on Jesus, amazed by who he is and willing to ‘be’ his presence in whatever specific neighbourhood we find ourselves.