Bring Up There, Down Here

I don’t typically talk about very personal ideas on this site because I am trying to target certain topics. But my faith and how I practice it, have coincided one of those topics.

Lakeland. So here is the collision:

Today I attended Access Church, where I have been attending for about two months. Its a different kind of church. Their tag line is {A church for the rest of us}. A quote from their website reads:

In 2007, we wanted a place to bring our friends. And we were a little wary of hugging strangers, church lingo, and—quite frankly—bad coffee and kum-ba-yah.

So about 15 friends quickly turned into lots of people seeking truth and authentic community. And you’re invited to join in. We don’t expect you to agree with everything we do or say. We just ask that you’re open to considering the possibility that there is a God who loves and pursues you.

It has lived up to its branding and has been quite different. From music to clothes to authentic personalities. It has been an amazing experience to have a ‘church’ like this in Lakeland.

What, you ask, does this have to do with Lakeland other than its location?

Well today we were offered a manttra for this young church, simply put : Bring Up There, Down Here.

Churches have notoriously solicited money from its congregants in order, effectively, expand their empires. So What came next blew me away. In order to break with that sterotype, this small church, has decided to give back. How much? I don’t know, but its around an entire months budget. For a small church whose average age is in the 20s this has real impact on everday observations.

So what are they doing? Puttting the power back in the hands of those who offered up that money, in order to effect change. Real Change. Every individual who attended was given a small envelope on the way out the door, with a small business card with info for the Easter Service next week & cash. Yes thats right, cash. How much? anywhere from $5 to hundreds.

Our charge was to use the money to try and make a difference in someones life, or meet someones need. Literally Striving to bringing the Kingdom of God, ‘down’ to Earth.

I have a few ideas of how I will be using my envelope, but I would like to hear from you what needs are out there. Where do you see a need, what you would like to really see changed here in Lakeland. It could be a family in need, or a favorite non profit. Please let me know.

This is very exciting and I hope you take this with the sincerity of heart that I bring it.  If you would like to keep up with stories of what others are doing you can follow along at http://www.accessgivesback.com/

Author: Aaron J Bates

Tags: Access Church, Bring Up There Down Here, Giving Back