Gathered & Scattered (for the city)

I reside in a suburban, metropolitan context 15 minutes from the nearest "big city." Over the previous 15 years or so, our suburban sprawl has doubled in size, and is poised to double again by 2030. For a while, our "town" struggled with whether or not to embrace "city life;" and consequently, walk into an identity as a "big boy" suburb. However, population growth alone solved that brief dilemma. Subsequently, residential, economic, educational, and recreational growth litter the landscape across the 23-mile radius of our city.

While the decision as to what kind of "town" will we be has been made, we've yet to gain a handle on the implications of such "progress." In other words, we're very much within the vortex of a windy cultural landscape grasping for the relationships, tools, resources, and forethought necessary in order to effectively navigate "suburban city life." Moreover, the winds of civic cultural changes are also intensely blowing through the church(es) in our city. Previously, we've adequately focused on our own localities primarily expressed through activities held within our church buildings. We might chaplain city initiatives, events, and organizations; however, our spheres of influence or cooperative efforts rarely overlapped.

Perhaps, these cultural winds are shifting us (Christians) into ways of action more consistent with a "city-wide" viewpoint. More specifically, I'm currently questioning, wondering, and imagining how a "city-wide" approach might couple with the "gathered AND scattered" ecclesiological perspective. In 2010, Hugh Halter and Matt Smay released AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church in response to an unfolding missional and attractional
ecclesial polarization. Rightly so, they proposed that the church must participate in her sentness as well as share times of coming together. I appreciate the offering Smay and Halter have shared here, and was taken (again) as I (re)cracked the book tonight for a re-reading of the Chapter 2 sections on "engaging culture" and "forming community."

On the other hand, unless I am missing something (which is completely possible), the "gathered/scattered" conversation seems limited to the local church. In other words, what I am hearing when we talk "gathered/scattered" is primarily local church centric in thought and expression. I realize I'm being overly-simplistic and categorical; however, for the sake of space and time, I am attempting a fair summary of conversations I have had with pastors, church planters, and friends.

Here's where I'm wrestling: What if the gathered and scattered church conversation occurred from a "city-wide" perspective instead of a "local church" perspective? The truth is our local churches gather and scatter; however, what does that look like with a macro lens?

I reflect upon our suburban city of nearly 40,000 people littered with churches. Could it be that there are people scattered throughout our city's "local churches" with hearts that long to dance to the rhythms of missional church? Could it be that there are already people scattered throughout our city's "local churches" living missionally with and without any descriptive framework or knowledge of such a moniker? Could people group together, gather together to spur one another on in seeking Jesus and living for the sake of the city? Could saints gather, not to plant a church, start (another) "alternative" worship service, or plot an exit strategy from their current local church, but to swap stories, prayers, questions, and praises...to search the Scriptures and the heart of God for each other and the city? Could people gather not with the intention of leaving or being taken from their local church, but with the heart-felt and risky willingness to be sent back to form grassroots relationships, groups, and networks within their local churches propogating the Jesus virus of faith, hope, and love throughout their neighborhoods, relational spheres, and the city?

"Gathered and scattered" from a "city-wide" lens: wishful thinking or insanity? I'm not sure, but as I consider our vibrant city, I am hopeful that such a gathering and scattering is already underway.

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