I have really been enjoying reading Hugh Halter and Matt Smay’s AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church. For one thing, Hugh Halter has a very enjoyable writing style which makes it easy to read…But what I really like is the message of his book. It has really convicted me about how I view different churches and types of churches.
I am just beginning to understand the concept that the planting of a church is a process that never really ends. Halter writes about Abdullam, which is the church he pastors in Denver, saying that they still interview people who wish to join the church to make sure they are committed to the missional lifestyle demanded by membership. If the church leadership relaxed for just a moment, then Abdullam would be in danger of becoming “just another church,” where people come on Sunday, one that is no different from any of the other hundreds of churches in Denver. They must always keep their focus on sending as well as gathering, and that is not an easy task, but I am beginning to see how very crucial it is to living out Jesus’ mission in the world.
We use the phrase “living in the tension” a lot in class, and I think that is the idea Hugh Halter is trying to convey with his book. There is tension between bringing people into the church and sending them out to serve and reach out to others. There is tension between spending time and resources on worship and on mission. We just need to embrace that tension and trust in God to take us where He wants us to go.
- Diana C.
You have captured one of the truly different things about Matt and Hughes church.