Last year (2008), Alan Knox started a chain blog, dialoging on the NT concept of “city church.” I’ve been pondering this topic since July of this year and Alan recommended that I check out the chain blog. I agree.
Having copied the eight posts and related comments into a Google doc of nearly 60 pages, it appears that this will be a multi-week process. I will blog some reflections as I work through the conversation.
Given the rules of the chain blog, allow me to say that, for now, the reflections here are not part of the chain, but are reflections on the topic as revealed by the chain blog. Being new to the idea of a chain blog, I hope this does not bend the rules to the breaking point.
Why I’m Thinking About City Church
The idea of a city church was raised in my reading of the epistles: each letter is written to the church in the addressed city. Given the likely size of each city church, we can assume several local gatherings comprised each city church.
The name “city church’ was applied to the concept after I read a blog post (which I will link to when I remember it and locate the URL; found: BEING the Church).
The ministry in which I participate involves several young adults who have become increasingly aware of the lack of their own kind in our congregation. This prompted our rethinking of ministry and an interest in city church.
The first full reflection (date TBA) will be on Alan Knox’s introductory post, City Church – A Chain Blog and its related comment thread.
Laura,
As far as I know, we came up with the concept of a “chain blog” last year. So, there are no real rules to bend or break.
I’m glad that you’re continuing this conversation, and I look forward to reading your thoughts.
-Alan
I’m glad: it seemed so organized and tidy :-).
I’ve not quite decided on the manner/means/nature of my reflections, but I started in earnest at Saturday breakfast. I excited to read and think through what you all posted last year.