We’re in Cambridge this month, hanging out with Matt
Russell. Matt’s from the US where he planted a church called ‘Mercy Street’.
The church started about 15 years ago in the front room of a friend’s house and
grew to about 1000 people. But this isn’t the story of the planting and growth
of a typical mega church though as about a third of ‘Mercy Street’ weren’t
Christians and many of them were recovering addicts. Needless to say, Matt has
a very interesting story to tell!
We found almost everything Matt said to be challenging and
inspiring on some level, but the thing that struck me most was how Mercy Street
managed to foster an atmosphere of such openness and honesty.
I loved the way Matt summed it up “Church should be the
safest place to say the most risky things”. I’m sure we’d all agree with that,
but how often do we see it? It certainly hasn’t been my experience. Rather than
being the place for being honest, Church is more often the place where you
pretend you’ve got it all together.
Matt said that actually this wasn’t something they had to
work too hard at as so many of the people at the church were in recovery groups
where openness and honesty were part of the culture.
It sounds like church has a lot to learn from these recovery
groups then. Especially as really church should be the ultimate recovery group,
as together we try to recover from our broken relationship with God.
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Mercy Street was amazing. I was already attending a church where the youth group was not very great but I didnt want to leave.. apparently my daughter did and was invited to mercy street. She went with the youth group there to "one thing" and encountered God for herself for the first time. She found her self confidence during all the crazy activities, long prayer & praise nights and conversations with amazing youth staff there. They really challenged the youth in their action, their prayer life and every other aspect of living for Christ..it had its flaws like any place.. but.. the impact they made far out weighed those.. Great Job inspiring youth and reminding me of my passion for working with youth..Im back in bible college at New Hope Christian College in Eugene Oregon 2 yrs from a bachelors with a focus on youth ministry with the hope of doing youth ministry in the UK after I graduate. so Thanks.. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Bridgette! Thanks so much for your comment, really interesting to hear of your experience of Mercy Street.
ReplyDeleteDrop us a line again when you get over to the UK!
Tim