Home PDX

18Apr09

Xolani has been hanging with Home PDX for a few weeks now.  She invited them all over to our house tonight for some drinks and to just chill.  

I’m sitting in my room right now about to go to bed. (i’m not being an antisocial jerk…i just have to be up for work in about 5 hours, and i need my beauty sleep)  :)

there are people everywhere.  our house is full.  i can hear the conversation being had with good friends.  i can smell the cigarette smoke.  i can hear the clank of empty beer bottles.
half of these people don’t have a home.  the other half are just young twentysomethings wrestling with what it means to follow Jesus.  

there is a dude outside my bedroom window smoking a joint.  :) 

every few minutes i hear, “fuck”….”shit”…”goddamn it”
…and i smile.
i feel at home.  

these people love Jesus.
but they aren’t the typical conservative Christians. 

for years i’ve struggled with Christianity.  to be honest, i hate what Christianity has turned into.  i struggle with identifying myself as “christian”.  
i struggle with the idea of church (as an institution, not as a people). 
i haven’t been to church in about 2 years.   i fee like i’ve lost hope in the church.  i guess you could say i’ve given up.  and i know that i’m coping out.
i’m just frustrated.
i’m frustrated with how church is presented to people.  how big and flashy and attractional and idol focused and money driven it’s become. 
i’m frustrated with how the church treats people.  unequally, unfairly, unjustly. 
(i realize this is a broad over generalization)

all that to say, there are no words to describe the way i feel when i hear these people from Home PDX talking to each other about topics that the typical christian would be too afraid to touch.  ….and then there’s the f-bomb again.  i just smile.
these people aren’t accepted by most churches in america.  but they are just as worthy as anyone to receive the love Jesus offers.  
these people smoke and drink and gather to hang out with each other on sundays at pubs – not with the intention of holding a church service in the pub trying to convert someone.  they meet in the pub to simply drink and hang out with each other.  to build relationships and love one another.

Home PDX is a relational community that loves Jesus and other people.
Home PDX seems like a breath of fresh air. 

maybe i haven’t lost complete hope in the church??

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