End of Semester Post - Fall 2013

At the end of each seminary semester, I’ve written a reflection of my biggest learnings.  Here's the previous ones: 
http://christensenshare.blogspot.com/2013/05/its-not-always-been-like-we-think-it-has.html
http://christensenshare.blogspot.com/2013/01/end-of-semester-update.html
http://christensenshare.blogspot.com/2012/05/view-from-rooftop.html
http://christensenshare.blogspot.com/2011/12/so-how-is-seminary-going.html

During this semester, I only had one class.  The course is linked to my internship, so I did a lot of examination of and reflection on my internship site, Solomon’s Porch in Minneapolis.

Solomon’s Porch is an independent church plant.  Because it’s independent, the founders didn’t have to follow denominational requirements for functioning, organization, or doctrine.  And because it’s a church plant, the founders got to make it up as they went.  It’s a little bit like an open shop at an art studio.  You just go in and “make your own church.” 

Dynamic System of Organization, Structure, and Functioning

Solomon’s Porch's organization and structure have been pretty dynamic over the years.  As the needs of the community change, the organization and structure change.  So in some ways, they have been continually creating and recreating.  Right now, they are pretty locked in to their current structure, but an upheaval would not be completely rejected either.  What I’ve come to realize is that this process of creating and recreating the organization can be good for the system.  It encourages spiritual formation and development in its members.  By creating and reflecting on the choices they are making for the community, they are learning and living into being a Christian community.  This creates juice and energy in the system.

Open System of Theology

Now, let’s take this a step further.  Solomon’s Porch has resisted establishing any church doctrine.  Okay, okay…. they do have some doctrine, but it’s not explicit and it comes from individual expressions that organically become part of the fabric of the church.  There are no statements of faith, no creeds, and no “what we believe” documents.  The community will not tell you what you need to uphold as “truth” in order to be a member/participant there.  The system is not going to give you answers.

Instead, the community encourages questioning and conversation between the members.  Solomon’s Porch is not a theological restaurant where you come in and get served a theological dinner that someone else has made for you.  Instead, it’s a theological kitchen—you come in and make your own dinner.  Because you’re in the kitchen with a lot of other people, you share ingredients and recipes with each other.  “Hey, I like how you put whip cream on that, can I have some of it?”

Here’s what’s cool and a big take-away….

Just like how having a dynamic system of organization creates “juice” in the system and encourages spiritual formation, having an open system of theology (i.e. no doctrine) also creates “juice” and encourages spiritual formation.

All humans walk around this world asking different spiritual questions, questions grounded in our context and personal experience.  Being in conversation with seminary friends and Porch people has helped me realize we are all working out unique spiritual things.  And by creating a platform for conversation, we are giving each other an avenue to work out what we need to work out.  By mixing and mashing and pushing up against each other, we open the door for dynamism and energy.  Asking the questions you have, and being free to do so, leads to healing and growth and connection to Divine.  I'm sure that's related to grace somehow, I just don't have it worked out yet.  If any one has any chocolate shavings, pass them my way.