The Idea Behind CR – Final Blog
Carpenter’s Refuge
“A Safe Place To Grow & Be Built”
Many people who grow up in a faithful church home, do not realize what life on the outside looks like for the unchurched. They do not realize the nurturement they have recieved in their local church, has put them on a much more privelaged plain than others. In “healthy” churches, believers are taught the scripture in it’s context, and their personal giftings and callings are nurtured in the local body. However, there are people like me that deeply desire to understand the Word, but hide their Bible illiteracy. There also many unchurched people who are deeply hardened by how they see the church living, in light of the message that it preaches. Many people are afraid of various Biblical teachings/denominations because of their lack of exposure to them (this is true inside and outside the church). Many people have teachings so ingrained into their mind that they can’t even see outside of their own beliefs/traditions to reach or even to recieve others.
The idea of “Carpenter’s Refuge” came to me probably before I had returned to Bible college the second time. I saw drifters come in and out of churches that looked as uncomfortable as I had been in my childhood and early teens. I have seen so many church/unchurched people hurt by church infighting/politics/doctrines (etc.) that I have vowed that I will commit my life in trying to find a neutral ground to disciple others. The philosophy of “Carpenter’s Refuge” is the idea of Christ Himself stepping into our lives and give us a “safe place to grow and be built”. Not only had I seen Biblical discipleship abandoned in many church communities I was either member of or visted, I had also seen the giftings of Christian’s neglected. We have all of the Biblical giftings which come from above and the personal giftings/interests (singing,writing,speaking,etc) which we can use for His glory.
With the ideas and heart behind my vision, I see that a Carpenter’s Refuge Ministry could take on many forms. The biggest idea I have would be to open store-front buildings in towns all over America (much like the launcher of Curve’s did). In these store fronts I would have a coffee shop,sandwich, bookstore, free high speed internet access, possibly radio stations, workout rooms, open mic nights, etc. (The ideal place would be old empty malls) This idea in itself is not new, but what the difference is, would be this. These buildings would be open seven days a week, and would have class rooms (or ability to have gatherings) in which Church community leaders could come and teach FREE basic to seminary level lecture/discussion classes. The purpose would be to have access for every person to come and feel the freedom to be developed spiritually/Biblically. This would allow for various denominations to also share their varying opinions to help and individual, decide for themselves their interpretive lenses as well! Also, it would be a youthful atmosphere to keep kids out of trouble giving them Christian places of fellowship in their town. This would also allow for neutral places for minister’s to do personal discipleship, minister to minister networking, and an outlet for Christian musician’s to travel to an perform.
This is a dream, but not the only dream I have; for I am still being built, trained, and guided by Christ! He is molding and shaping my destiny, and He may once again, have plans I have yet to understand! But in the meantime- I am to lead others to the Refuge, so the Carpenter may continue His master work!
