Love the City

Summer ended. In one day. Thursday, August 15 the sun was replaced with dark rain clouds, the temperatures plummeted, spawning salmon began filling our streams and our version of "fall" was initiated. The first half of summer revolved around our own travel adventures. The second half of summer (now fall) has been consumed with hospitality and tour guiding.

We've enjoyed visits from family and friends, most of whom have been in Juneau for only hours at a time while in port with their cruise ships. Sometimes we've had eight hours, other times maybe ten hours to show our city off to our visitors. Kind of like speed-dating.

In just the past two days alone we have included the glacier and bear sightings, Nugget Falls, the Tram and its views, shopping downtown, the Valley, our living room, the Hangar, the Island Pub, St. Therese, Eagle Beach, UAS, TMHS and lots of potential Christmas card photos taken. It's been a whirlwind. It's been fun.

Our visitors have each asked, "Why Juneau?" After an hour or two they answer their own question, and find themselves loving our city as we love our city. Juneau is not hard to love. Rain clouds or not.

It's been said, people in Juneau either love it here...or they're planning to move away. There is no in between. We love it here. We love talking about our city. Loving our city is vital.

A church cannot really be the Church if that church does not love their city, and the people in their city. A church can only really be the Church when it is willing, even joyful to engage the culture. Too many churches in too many places have settled for church as safe zone, as separation, as protection and isolation from the culture. But that's not what the Church was called to be and do.

Without gospel compromise Radiant Church lives in light of the mandate to be enthusiastic and engaged with our city. We are "Radiant Church Juneau," and the "Juneau" part is important. We are called to love this city, our city in tangible and intangible ways, in gospel ways, and this forces involvement as well as placement.

Functioning as host and self-proclaimed tour guide reminds me that I love my city, that I need to love my city. Our city, and every city needs gospel-centered people who will love their cities; enough to talk about their city, and to their city.

Seasonal Order

Like everyone else in Alaska we have enjoyed the "all-time greatest summer ever." Deb and I have now been here in Juneau for two summer seasons; the first one didn't happen; this one has been glorious. Fact remains, we still don't know what a "normal" summer is up here. (Sadly, a long-timer recently told me that last year's summer is more the norm.)

In the course of enjoying summer I've leaned to hold things (like plans, expectations, hopes and dreams) with loose fingers. Few church-planters view summer as high momentum time. We are no exception.

In the summer months church "growth" can seem to move at glacier pace. (My analogy breaks down if one considers a retreating glacier. I didn't mean that kind of glacier. That would be bad.)

However, and often in spite of my efforts, Jesus continues to build His church. He did promise He would do just that. We have seen our initial gospel community grow in family roles, skills and graces. We are becoming increasingly intimate, honest and transparent. We are learning how to serve each other in tangible and intangible ways. (Note: I am now quite versed in airport deliveries and pick ups.)

We have been blessed with many more relationships in the city, and opportunities to volunteer and serve
continue to multiply. We are collectively excited over the prospect of new gospel communities forming on the UAS campus, and another downtown. Deb and I are amassing a long list of people we look forward to having in our home. And Deb's school year at UAS and mine at TMHS are now upon us. So is the rain!

Fall came. Today. With the rain. Unlike the dark clouds and gray skies (and the new requirement to wear shoes and socks) Radiant Church Juneau enters a season of growth. We look forward to growing together in community, as family. We look forward to growing as a gospel influence and manifestation in our city and region.

Kind of like spring. Which also didn't happen last year, or the year before. (Again, my analogy breaks down.)