This past year we experimented with Open Door, and now is the time to sit back and evaluate the experiment. Here’s a quick reminder of what the past year included:
- September: An introduction to our year of “Experiments in Spiritual Formation.” We appointed Rod as an elder, and I suggested that Open Door is like the Sabbath: a structure to keep us connected to one another and to God. And, like Jesus in Mark 2-3, I suggested that structures are not our master! We also made marshmallow and spaghetti towers!
- October: We visited Teen Challenge, an addictions recovery center with Jesus at the center. We ate with guests and found out how we might meet some of their needs.
- November: We gathered at Alberta Bible College to study the Gospel of Matthew. I presented an overview of the gospel and then we dove into Jesus primary teaching: the kingdom of heaven!
- December: We met at Ken and Marta Peterson’s house in Airdrie to eat, sing Christmas carols, and reflect on the Light that entered the darkness. A few hearty souls braved the bone-chilling weather to wander the Airdrie Festival of Lights…for a bit.
- January: We gathered at Alberta Bible College for our combined Open Door/Annual General Meeting. During this time we began a process of condensing and clarifying our core values. Our aim is to have on paper values that are meaningful, memorable, and measurable…values that really are our values.
- February: A (very) few of us braved the cold at Prince’s Island Park to sled. A few more of us gathered in Eau Claire to share coffee and catch up on life.
- March: Our Fairview house church hosted a treasure hunt to help us reflect on the search for things of value. Stations that included art, devotional reflection, and academic study, invited us to enter more deeply into Jesus’ words: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy…But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 5:19-21)
- April: Easter weekend we joined Hope for Life Christian Fellowship to mourn the death and sacrifice of our Lord on Good Friday, and joyously celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday. He is risen!
- May: Mission:Geocaching took us to Pearce Estate Park. After a fun (and frustrating) search for a geocache, we reflected on the mission of Jesus through a short parable about a lifehouse.
- June: We made over 200 sac lunches at the Mustard Seed to share with our homeless neighbours. (We’d love to hear your reflections!)
If you would, post a comment and share your reflections on this year of experimenting with Open Door: What would you do again? What would you do differently? What ideas do you have for our network-wide gathering for this coming year?