Found a Home

I said I was going to write more about the tipping at restaurants thing, but I've decided that I was just a little too bent out of shape over it for it to be any good. However, if there is actually anyone out there who reads this, and you really want to know more about that topic, just email me or call me and I'll fill you in.

This past Sunday, Alisha and I went to the New Members class at Colorado Community Church (CCC). CCC is a church Alisha and I have attended since moving to Denver. So far, we have absolutely loved it. It's one of those things you know deep down that you are home, exactly where you are supposed to be.

Now I have never been to a New Member's class at any church before. I always thought they were odd and wrong in a sense. Why do I need to be a member of a Church? Why can't I just call this place my church home without being defined as a member? It just seemed like we were taking the Body of Christ and adding qualifications on it. I was really irked in the wrong way. It wasn't like I had a stance against it that I would argue over, but it just never settled with me. Now, after attending one, I know why it is needed.

One Sunday morning, during the announcements, it was made aware that a new members class was coming up, and all those interested were encouraged to come. Alisha and I decided we liked this church quite a bit and had no intentions of going elsewhere.

So this last Sunday, Alisha and I joined about 50 or so other people interested in knowing more about CCC. For the first word until the last handshake and goodbye, Alisha and I were blown away that a church could fall into the exact category of what we were looking for.

For example, CCC is an interdenominational church, not a nondenominational. I never really knew the difference, but they pointed out that they welcome people from all denominational backgrounds, and when people claim to be Nondenominational, it can turn into ANTIdenominational. I thought that was a good point. They really captured their concepts with a simple phrase "In essentials unity....in non essentials liberty....in all things love." Meaning, the essentials (Jesus was the Son of God, Trinity, Jesus rose again, Jesus is the only way to heaven etc) we will be unified. In nonessentials (baptism at birth or later on in life, communion with wine or juice, speaking in tongues or not, women preaching or not) we will allow liberty to those without getting in arguments over - but allowing healthy discussions. And most of all, in all things love. We will love each other for our differences. It was the first time I had ever seen a church be so welcoming to all backgrounds and then not trying to force conformity.

CCC is also a intercultural church. They strive for cultural unity, not ignoring culture differences, but rather embracing them. This can best be seen in the worship. Most of the leaders and band players are African American, and instead of traditional worship, they bring a more Jazz feel. It is something completely different from anything I have ever experienced. The lead pastor is African American and several others are as well, but most of the congregation is white, showing we "all can get along." It's fun.

CCC is also one church in multiple locations. We attend CCC Base Camp Englewood. There is also CCC Base Camp Aurora and Base Camp Stapleton. Their vision is to have 5 debt free base camps by the year 2020. They believe they can impact Denver by have churches all over the city rather than one mega church. They also never downplayed mega churches, they just have a different philosophy. The base camps share a budget and share pastoral staff. If one church is hurting, the others chip in. Right now, Base Camp Englewood is without a lead pastor, so the other two Base Camps rotate pastors so that we may all be blessed. Their word choice for Base Camps is brilliant too. Taking the term from a military usage, base camps provide a place of safety, nourishment, refreshment, rest, community. The battle is outside the base camp, but here you can be filled. Just as it is in the body of Christ, our battle is at work, our relationships and with random people we meet. We shouldn't come to church to to do our duty, we come to church because we are worn from battle and need fulfillment to get back to the battle lines. Absolutely brilliant!

CCC also believes in growing fruit on other people's trees. This sounds bizarre at first, but once explained it is just what Jesus intended. They believe in the 10% tithe, but they only want 5%. They expect you to give your other 5% to a missionary, another church or para-church organization of your choice. I think this philosophy is so freeing. I think members of other churches feel demanded to give their 10% and hate the sermon about needing more money to get the church out of debt. CCC is liberating, allowing members to give their money elsewhere, letting them choose who they get to bless. I think this is why CCC is a nearly debt free. The are only working on paying off a building right now. The budget they set for themselves is ahead of schedule due to the generosity of the members.

Lastly, and one of the biggest reasons Alisha and I love CCC is because of their programming. They strive to create an environment where everyone is equal. They have a fantastic special needs program for children where able bodied kids play alongside of handicapped and form lasting friendships. This also allows parents of special needs children the freedom to go to a worship service without having to worry about if their kids are being well taken care of. The lead pastor, Robert Gelinas, started Project 127, after James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans..." Project 127 is created to get all kids in the Foster Care program into healthy families (www.project127.com). Alisha is the most passionate person when it comes to Foster Care. She has given speeches, written papers, and even comes from a family where there are 3 foster kids. This was a hallmark for her. But just as any organization is best when the leader leads by example, Pastor Gelinas does this marvelously. He has 5 adopted kids in his home from the foster care program. The worship director in Englewood Base Camp has a total of 18 kids, and I believe 15 are from the program. These men know what it means to lead.

I challenge all of you, if you come to Denver on a Sunday, come to CCC. You will love it. If you want to read more check out their website at www.coloradocommunity.org