Journey Imperfect Faith Community

Journey Imperfect Faith Community is an emergent church designed specifically for people to feel safe, at home, and comfortable. That is really their bottom line. They pull it off like I've hardly ever seen before. The community (they prefer this terminology to church) meets in a warehouse. As you enter the place, you see a sign directing you to the Living Room, which is the equivalent of their sanctuary. Walking in, you'll see regular chairs, couches, easy chairs, etc. Lighting is fairly dim and there are quite a few candles, etc. around the room. This includes a cross, with candles along the top, etc. The backdrop consisted of sheets hanging up, with a hand painted picture of the world.

The community is very, very warm and friendly. I didn't see one person sitting alone or not talking to someone, including me. I was greeted by a lady who talked a little about the place and herself. She made a point to explain that every service is different and you never know exactly what's going to happen when you attend. Everyone is friendly. They hug, laugh, talk, cry, etc. together. This is about the closest church (in terms of relationships with each other) I've ever seen.

The service began with everyone being invited to turn and face east for a call to prayer. It was explained this is a Muslim tradition. A chant was played as we did this and a bell rang. It was a great moment to center oneself and focus on the upcoming service. David Gentiles led the service (apparently, some of the men were away on a retreat, including their pastor Rick Diamond - I wonder if Rick has been told he has the ultimate wrestler name). David is very personable, very frank, and very down-to-earth. He shared a story about growing up and the nicknames various people had for each other. Although the nicknames were applied as part of the initiation into their circle, his wasn't exactly politically correct. He explained that, in his limited world at the time, it never occurred to him and it was only later that he realized it. I'll withhold the nickname here as David himself seemed a little embarrassed while sharing his ignorance as a young man. He's very honest and sincere. In fact, I initially was thinking, "This guy isn't gifted with Obama-like speaking skills." But within minutes, I realized I (and I would guess most everyone there) was hanging on his every word.

I'll get back to David's point in a little bit. Prior to David's message, passages were read from various sources, including Islamic and Hindu sacred writings. Additionally, writings from skeptics and atheists regarding Christianity were read. One was particularly striking from Nietzsche. You can go and read the passages shared here. David's point in his sermon was that we often only see things from our limited worldview and don't understand things that are beyond that view. He then tied this back to the passages read. It's interesting to consider how those who practice other religions are also children of God and they are just seeking to follow after Him in the best way they can, just like we are. (This really appealed to my Christian Universalist slant). The service was not about who is right or wrong, but about understanding the world we know and the world we don't.

The final part of the service was very interactive. We were invited to approach various prayer stations in the Living Room. One represented Islam, one represented eastern religions (mainly Hinduism and Buddhism), one represented Judaism, and the last one represented Christianity. At the final one, we each lit a candle. As people moved about, quietly, they were hugging one another, greeting one another, etc. Again, this is about the warmest, closest group of people I think I've ever seen. The service closed with music.

I returned on Wednesday for Ash Wednesday. The church was open for any to come, pray, receive ashes and a blessing, etc.

This place is amazing. They truly embrace the fact we aren't perfect. We all come as we are, with no judgment or pretenses. It's a safe place to explore your relationship with God and with fellow journeyers, as they call themselves. You find yourself drawn to them and drawn to wanting to be one of them. Sometimes you go to church and see people who are doing their time there out of a sense of obligation, guilt, or whatever. Although I'm sure this is the case with some, you would never guess that by looking around and interacting with the people there. They all seem to be there because they want to. They have a purpose and a calling. I invite anyone who is burned out on church or thinks they just don't belong in the standard worship service to give this place a try. It's truly a place where you don't feel the need for labels, don't feel the need to fit within a certain mold, and don't feel the need to "play church." You can come as you are and they are just fine with that. Oh, and you'll be truly blessed. You will feel the presence of God, if not personally, at least through His people here.