The scenario went like this: The church seemed to be doing well. They had purchased the land for their building and were preparing to have a building campaign when the affair was brought to light. In case you're wondering, the affair was a sin . . . and it's exposure was very bad timing.
The congregation decided to go against all legal advice and refused to do away with the minister quietly. He was, after all, the founding minister and people would have questions. The leadership proactively addressed the congregation in letters and in an open meeting. They paid for counseling for the woman who was involved in the affair and they made that offer to the minister, though he never accepted it.
The new minister, Randy Hageman, soon arrived and was charged with transitioning the church through a painful situation. He reached out to his predecessor and let him know that he looked forward to a day of reconciliation with the congregation. That day has not come.Randy is still the Fall Out Boy and there appear to be some remaining challenges (like staff that wants to start their own church by plundering the people who are already at Gateway). He struck me as kind and patient leader--who is very aware of the need for humility in the leadership of the church.
The church didn't get sued, but they took a big chance. The upside of handling it that way was that the congregation was able to move forward in a more unified fashion.
This is the coffee shop/foyer of the church. It serves as the fellowship space as well.
This is the sanctuary. It is not multi-purpose space.
Here I am behind the coffee counter, because I am in on the church/coffee conspiracy.
We've hooked Travis too. Soon all churches everywhere will use coffee and scones instead of juice and wafers for communion! Bwwwaaaaa Hhaaaa Haaaaa (<--this is meant to be evil laughter).
4 comments:
Since coffee beans grow on a vine and we commune with the fruit of the vine, it's not much of a stretch to use coffee for communion!
I quite liked your reports on the different ministry/churches you got to experience.
The coffee/church conspiracy--it seems that you've uncovered my plan to infiltrate and, someday, addict all the men, women, and children of Grandview Christian Church to coffee and its wonderful peripheral beverages, lattes and cappuccinos. Seminary was a smokescreen for my true intent, Aaron, and now my undercover identity as a corporate coffee recon-man/spy has been revealed. Bwwwaaaaa Hhaaaa Haaaaa (<--this is meant to be evil laughter).
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