What Would You Call It?

[Ed Hurst]

Radix Fidem is not a confession in the ecclesiastical sense. It's an orientation. Nonetheless, our orientation is toward a common confession of faith. In other words, using the label "confessional church" or "confessing church" carries historical connotations that don't exactly fit what we do.

So here's the deal: We do not organize for any kind of political action, nor even verbal agitation. We do seek a common confession, a clear statement about the situation. But instead of official statements, we try to help everyone come up with their own expressions of faith. The point is that we find some way to all say pretty much the same thing as far as the rest of the world is concerned. We have enough in common that they know what to expect, and can pick us out in a crowd, as it were.

And publishing that confession is a major element in what we do. Living that confession in community with each other is a part of that major element. Our plan of action is working together. There is no particular plan of action regarding the world at large, aside from asserting our faith in words and actions. Right now, the context calls for us to emphasize pulling back, of becoming more separated from the surrounding society. However, it's important to remember that this could change in some future society, shifting back the other way toward infiltration of the ambient society.

I suppose you could say that we are "a type of confessing church" in that sense. There's no way to avoid the connotation that we resist the government approved brands of church, and that part is accurate enough. Then again, we have our own unique problems with government right now, and it really doesn't resemble the situation in Germany leading up to WW2, which is where the term "confessing church" comes from.

I don't know if there's a nifty label for what we do, in that sense.

[Benjamin]

I wouldn't call it an underground church... but roots do work under the ground. Not sure where I'm going with this. Ground cover? Not a tall plant... Not a big plant, to look at it. But networked in ways that might make it extensive in some ways. And beyond physical (or different than physical; spiritual) to the point that distance is not a significant barrier to our mission. Our mission is both local and not local. Local to our communities, our neighborhoods, and non-local to each other. (long-distance... haven't used that phrase in a while. ^_^)
Mesh-church? Maybe not.

Did you know cat-tails (plants at the edge of a pond) can push out a runner sideways and start a new "plant"? I discovered that pulling one up recently.

How do cat-tails get to a new pond? I bet almost no one ever planted cat-tails in their pond, and yet they show up.

If this sounds goofy, or loopy... it's probably because I'm tired.

Be blessed.

[forrealone]

No, not goofy or loopy.  We are all trying to wrap our minds around some kind of definition for something that yet escapes definition.  It just is what it is. 

Think of the wonderful fungi whose fruit, a mushroom,  is borne above ground to spore and the wind carries it everywhere.  Such is the Word and we are the mushrooms.

So, maybe I am goofy too!

Nature is a good teacher.........

[Ed Hurst]

Some years ago (20?) I jokingly suggested the term "unchurch" and wrote a series of articles about it. Of course, that was within the context of a limited vision from that time, so those articles do not reflect where I am now. I understand the concepts of branding and propagation of ideas, but I'm trying to avoid the mistakes made by existing churches. One of my primary concerns is that we avoid using terminology that strays too far from the obvious common meanings. For now, I tend to think "community" is closest to what we do.

As a related term, I see nothing wrong with "virtual parish" if we can use it consistently. I'd want to see a consensus on that first. The thing is, bringing the focus to our forum imparts a whole new atmosphere. It sat here very quiet for a long time, and now that a few more people are getting involved, it's very much alive. It requires that we give more thought to keeping things on track. There's no restrictions on what we might talk about, but I'd hate to see the underlying purpose forgotten.

[forrealone]

I kind of like community.  I have always been one who felt community to be one of the single most important things all humans should focus on.  Our community - those around us.  Albeit this is virtual pretty much, it still applies, to me anyway.

[jaybreak]

I may have mentioned it before to you Ed, but I am keen on coming up with a technical kind of term for what we do/are, or rather what we would call what we do if we had a traditional physical space. I have it on my list to look at writing about it here and/or on my blog. It probably won't capture everything that it should capture but it will help (help me, at least) describe things better.

[forrealone]

I may have mentioned it before to you Ed, but I am keen on coming up with a technical kind of term for what we do/are, or rather what we would call what we do if we had a traditional physical space. I have it on my list to look at writing about it here and/or on my blog. It probably won't capture everything that it should capture but it will help (help me, at least) describe things better.

I like that idea, Jay.  May Father guide you with wisdom on your quest.  (:^)

[Ed Hurst]

Your mission, Jay. There are some tasks I need to pass on to those who will have to live with it. I'll stand behind it; we've bounced ideas a bit, so I'm not worried about the outcome.

[jaybreak]

I'll seek yinz (that's Pittsburgh-ese for "yous guyses" or "yalls'") feedback, of course. My intent is to communicate, not confuse or weird people out with the terminology, so clarity is key.