Japan Relief Through Network of Christian ministries

Our ministry connections from Japan are all recommending this network: If you are looking for a way to respond to the disaster in Japan, here is one excellent option. We'll have a way to do online donating soon! http://crashjapan.com/

Post CoLab Rant

Again promised out of the box,

To Creatives among Jesus' flock.

The venue first rate.

The goodies just great.

But a 'CoLab', it simply was not.

ENC hosts "CoLab" @ TAB on Orchard

It was exciting to roll up the escalator with a sense of expectation.

I've been praying for this as an outside/insider for 2 months since i heard of it.

Two text messages had come from friends who were already there: "The place is packed."

I was arriving quite late. I'd been praying since 5PM when it began, but I just couldn't get there when it was to start. I had anticipated it was more like an open house kind of event, more organic, which would have people coming and going between 5 and 8PM. Maybe stay later if they were having a good time.

I was kindly greeted by outgoing happy strangers who wanted me to feel welcomed. But my heart sank when one of them chased me into the hall and required me to give my particulars on a registration card in exchange for the clever little packet/notebook that had just been given to me.

I kid you not, that's what they said, "You need to fill this out in exchange for the packet."

But, I reasoned, this is the Singapore way. Why should this night be any different?

I think as I fill out the form that there will probably be an evaluation form at the end.

There wasn't. Instead the evening ended with an announcement that fell flat:

"By the way, we've made a nice gift for you. And by the way, $15 would be a nice donation for it." We all understand. These things cost money. I gave my $15 on the way out.

As I entered the CoLab I saw a restaurant full of people. Yeah!

But though the chairs were full, there was hardly anything on the tables. A few drinks and no signs of food that I could see. For awhile I stood in the back near the awkward TAB waiting staff. Hired to wait on tables and sell food, when it wasn't an atmosphere to do so.

This stinks for the owner. He's going to take a dive tonight.

Facing Forward.

What looked to be about 200+ people, all were facing a stage. A speaker was on stage. A speaker i'd like to hear from, truly, but not tonight.

My heart sank lower as I began to realize that this CoLab was not some kind of collaborative Salon, or Literati open mic event, or Performance Art or a collage of experimental creative activities that might make us draw near to Jesus while getting to know one another. Except for three canvases brought to life on the sides of the stage (additional artists from Church of Our Saviour), this night didn't look like anything creative was getting generated from the majority of expectant spectator Artists who had gathered.

And there were A LOT of artists.

Who are they? Since I'd come in late, I wonder: Before I got here, had the people in the room had a chance to find out who they all are? 

I saw some friends I've not seen in a long time. I saw people I'd have liked to get to know. I want to hug everyone. I want to find out: 

Why did you come? 

What about the arts are you most passionate? 

How has art played a part in you knowing God better? 

What are your dreams? 

What are you afraid of? 

If you had the resources to do it, what would you do with art to change the world?

The audiences' eyes and voices facing forward toward the speaker, watched musicians join him onstage. My heart sinks a little further. We're going to get to do what many of us had already done earlier that day at church: Worship our God corporately through music and a sermon. 

I didn't come out tonight to go to church again.

Granted, it was good music, yes. A LOT of good. loud. music. And it was a good talk too.

As the music went on, I saw more people I longed to interact with, I got frustrated in the loudness of it all. I wanted to interact with people. I wanted to leave. But I held on, tried to enter into worship with an open heart. Asked God to free me from a critical spirit. Fellowship would eventually come.

I'm sure many who came were really, truly blessed. 

And I really hate being so negative about it. It was probably an amazing event for many people there. The Lord probably met them and ministered to them through the well organized event. And as an event, it was a marvelous night.

But I'm old(er), and I'm tired. 

I've been around a long time. And perhaps there will never be beautiful new clothes for the Bride of Christ. Time and again my expectations that innovation will eventually come to the church has been disappointed. I sound like a grumpy old curmudgeon talking like this. Who after all doesn't like WORSHIP? I hesitated to admit all of this because I sound like a pagan to be complaining.

HOWEVER, 

I ardently love Jesus 

and I'm a singer. 

So, it's not that I don't like worship through music.

What it is, that has me a little rankled, is that I felt like I had been tricked. CoLab for the March 6 event was a misnomer.

I had watched the promo video and thought, 

It doesn't really say what it IS. but it is fun. WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE EXACTLY? It seems to be just hype for an idea, but surely they'll figure out how to execute it by March 6.

Dear Lord, don't let the disappointed get jaded. Let us continue to strive for unity, even when we let one another down. Even if we offend. Even if what I've written here offends. Help us learn better how to spur one another on toward love and good Creative deeds! - May it be so.