I’ve been dreaming for a long time about starting a church. Some people ask why anyone would bother to start a new church; there are so many churches out there, can’t you just get involved in one the already exists? Or, you only want to start a new church because you think it’ll be perfect and no church is perfect. Or, you know that costs a lot of money, we can’t afford to start another church. To all of these reasons I say bollocks! I want to share with you my dream for a church in the Twin Cities. I know that it won’t be perfect. I know there are others who are doing similar work. But I also know that there is something unique about the vision I have for a new church and I believe that there are others who will want to join in this work.

Here’s what I dream of:

* A church that is radically queer inclusive. One that welcomes queerness and celebrates it. One that understands that queer spirituality has so much to teach the world.

* A church that strives to have a healthy understanding and relationship with ALL bodies and ALL sexualities. A church that is working toward healthy, consensual relationships. A church that begins to unpack the baggage our culture has given us around our bodies and our sexualities.

* A church that celebrates women; that has women at all levels of leadership. That doesn’t just put women up in front to look good and not listen to them any other time.

* A church that is dedicated to the hard work of reconciliation in all its forms. A church that isn’t about “diversity”. But (and I speak as a white male) that does the hard work of rooting out internal racism, that works for justice for all people. I want an open table, but not a cheap open table. I want us to be working toward reconciliation, facing the hard parts of ourselves and working to not only get right with one another, but to then learn from one another and to live in real community with one another.

* A church that is rooted in liberation theology, that understands God’s preferential option for the poor. A church that takes seriously the anti-empire (and I would say anarchist) ramifications of the Gospel. A church that believes that queer theology, black theology, feminist theology, post-colonial theology, etc. all has some vital to teach the church. And that people who come from all different backgrounds and lives are a gift to the larger body of the church.

* A church that is dedicated to the community in which it resides (and reflects the community).

* A church that is liturgically grounded and yet also liturgically creative. A church that values the arts: Theatre, music, visual arts, and incorporates them into the life and worship of the church. A church that is experiential in its worship.

I have decided the time to act is now. I can feel God calling me to this work and I believe there are people with whom this dream will resonate. I’m asking you to commit to supporting this work either prayerfully, financially, or by getting involved here in the Twin Cities (or by doing all of the above). Will you dream with me?