A few weeks ago, my friend Michael Trent (aka @churchbartender) shared with me an idea he had been wanting to actualize for awhile. The idea is called Dirty Church.
Michael told me about an experience he had with a facilities person years ago when he was a youth pastor. While trying to cheer up a young person by making funny faces up against a glass door, the facilities person railed on him about the mess he was making. In response, Michael instinctively said, “Jesus is coming back for a dirty church and a spotless bride!”
Dirty Church is about recognizing that God is pleased when we use what He gives us. In this case, it’s referring to church facilities.
In light of our mutual agreement that church facilities are meant to be used to the fullest, we decided to create some Dirty Church Awards! In partnership with the Idea Camp, the Dirty Church Awards are being created to bring awareness and conversation to the use of the buildings / facilities that churches have in their hands. We are in talks right now with a few conferences that may want to present these awards during their conference.
Last Friday, Michael and I hosted a Tokbox conversation with close to 40 viewers online about possibilities. There’s no doubt that people think these awards would be a fun way to remind the Church to use its facilities well and often for ministry.
We Need Your Help!
We are building some criteria or characteristics of a Dirty Church right now and would like for you to contribute any ideas or examples you may have.
- What makes a church a Dirty Church?
- What kinds of Dirty Church Awards would you like to see?
In the next few weeks, we will begin to create a few categories and open conversations via social media to allow for nomination for the Dirty Church Awards. We are currently working on developing a simple blog for the awards. In addition, you can follow the latest updates on Twitter via the hashtag #dirtychurch.
Please let us know if you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about Dirty Church.
In hopes of all churches becoming dirty,
Charles
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
New Blog Post: Is Your Church a #dirtychurch? http://bit.ly/5pW3C
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
that’s weird, michael trent doesn’t sound like a Korean name but has experienced to Korean church… hmm…
i think this is hilarious and awesome. you and michael are right: too many times, we forget what our churches are supposed to be used for.
i’ll never forget when i was a youth and some of the neighborhood kids came into our church parking lot to play basketball on some of the hoops the church had erected. some of the facilities managers chased them away saying, “they don’t even come to the church and they want to use the facility.” i can still see the disappointment and anger those kids felt for the church. that’ll really stick with me about how what i want my church facility to be used for.
i think churches need to be more open to the idea that neighbors use the facility outside of a “church” activity. on the other hand, it would be ideal to see the church use their facility to intentionally reach out to the community however the church chooses to do so. i think a dirty church is defined by how many non-church people come to the church on a weekly basis for something other than a church service. and i think dirty church can only happen when church members feel ownership enough to be a “cleaning body” for their “dirty church.”
prayerfully considering with you charles.
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
Blog Update Is Your Church a Dirty Church?:
A few weeks ago, my friend Michael Trent (aka @churchbar.. http://tinyurl.com/nuhqqk
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
Steve,
That post is hilarious. Thank you for sharing. Yeah, too many stories like the one you shared of the kids getting ran off from the basketball courts. But maybe with Dirty Church we can start to tell better stories – the kind that make God smile.
You brought up some good ideas for criteria / characteristics::
•Neighbors in the community using the facility outside of ‘church’ activity
•How many non-church people come to the church for something other than a church service.
Great ideas.
Michael Trent
@churchbartender
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
What makes a church a Dirty Church? @charlestlee continues the conversation here http://bit.ly/5pW3C (#dirtychurch)
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
RT @churchbartender: What makes a church a Dirty Church? @charlestlee continues the conversation here http://bit.ly/5pW3C (#dirtychurch)
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
RT @churchbartender: What makes a church a Dirty Church? @charlestlee continues the conversation here http://bit.ly/5pW3C (#dirtychurch)
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
That's Just Dirty! http://bit.ly/5pW3C #dirtychurch #theideacamp
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
What makes a church a Dirty Church? @charlestlee continues the conversation here http://bit.ly/5pW3C (#dirtychurch)
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
I like this idea from @charleslee and @churchbartender http://tr.im/qnqY
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
Dirtiest Hands Award
I believe a dirty church can be seen by the work of its hands as the hands of Christ. Hands that wash the feet of its people (literally). Hands that cook food for its neighbors and clean the streets of its neighborhoods. Hands that have painted buildings and planted gardens. Hands that have held the hands of orphans and widows and the least of these. Hands that are dirty from the work of the heart.
That all sounded much more poetic then I planned it to be.. But I know you what I mean Charles. A church with dirty hands.
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
Love the comments and focus here… Thanks guys for sharing. The comments really help us formulate what these awards will be about.
Good point Lindsey…”dirty” could go in so many different directions.
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
Is Your Church a Dirty Church? http://bit.ly/4fiE66
Is Your Church a Dirty Church?
Currently reading: Is Your Church a Dirty Church? http://bit.ly/1OO39T