Catalyst 10: Chris Seay

From 9/12/06

Great quote: "You can't love from a distance." Chris, who planted United Baptist Church at Baylor with David Crowder, recently moved back to Houston to plant Ecclesia church in downtown's Montrose district. This neighborhood is in fact the second largest gay community in the nation after San Francisco. It's amazing to see them going where many churches wouldn't, and doing so with such grace and creativity.

Community Center. Ecclesia intentionally wants to be known as a center where the community can gather 7 days a week, not just a building that host "church" services. They are doing some really neat stuff: hosting poetry nights and art shows; facilitating an organic food co-op; running a "literature" store and free-trade coffee shop. This truly seems to be a church that would be missed if atit shut its doors.

Lifeguards. Chris was a lifeguard once upon a time and he draws on this imagery to describe his work as a pastor. Specifically he referenced the fact that as a lifeguard, he can't obliviously spend a day at the beach or a public pool. He's always aware of possible dangers or threatening situations that other may not see. In the same way, the church should be spiritually discerning what dangers may be lurking in the waters. It should be our love of people that drives us the advise, protect, and sometimes save from these threats.

Bringing the conversation around to Jesus. Chris mentioned that a lot of different folks show up at the church asking a lot of different questions. Often people come looking for a political, economic, or minor theological argument. Chris said it's the goal of the church to bring it all back to Jesus. I love how he says, "We're a church that believes in redemption." I agree. There is so much power in the story of those overcoming incredible brokenness by the grace of God. This is the starting point. Once we lay down the foundation of a community defined by broken saints, redeemed by grace, we can better have the other conversations.