AUTHOR: Robin Dugall DATE: 7:19:00 AM ----- BODY:

Sometimes the Living Word speaks someone into your life miraculously. It comes as dramatically as when the first words were uttered over the cosmos, "let there be light". In the past few months, Chris Yambar has entered the "Dugall Zone". I don't get it but I know that God is up to no good as usual. He is bringing someone into my life and journey who is bound to make life more of the messy and revolutionary party that He intends it to be. Well...as you probably know if you check this blog, I have a passion for commenting on "ekklesia"...that gathering of saints within the Kingdom for subversive, incarnational living. Unfortunately, Christendom has held "ekklesia" captive for centuries. Good for us though...a new Breath of God is occuring in the hearts and lives of many Christ-followers who are taking risks in living missionally and communally in such a way that the journey of faith is taking on dynamic meaning again. My new compadre, Yambar, added his two cents worth in on the discussion about "ekklesia" the other day. Hey, any two cents from this guy is something to take note of...cause the guy is a stinkin artist...probably doesn't have a couple of cents to his name. Oops, I forgot...I'm sending him a "BIG CHECK" soon for some of his off-the-wall comic pontifications on life and culture...so he will soon have more than a couple of cents to throw into the pot. So...without further ado, here are his comments on "ekklesia"...tasty to say the least! Oh, that we would all live "without a net"! "Personally I look forward to a time when todays mega-churches are reworked and used as secular Rollercades and Flea Markets instead of begging cash coffers and better-than-you social circles. Sounds a bit bitter but I'm really not. I have just grown weary of watching a God ordained community opportunity downgrade into some kind of Wes Craven movie plot in which people are continually 'utilized' for what they can give and are cast off when they become the new needy. The great harvest should mean something more than just a time to give your tithes and offerings. The three posted students give this whole ugly topic a ray of hope and return a simple joy that is sorely missing in this bad western rendition of a precious eastern standard....of family. As a sorta related aside, I'm currently working on developing a once a month 'Outlaw Sunday' service in our towns biggest pool hall. The owner (who is not yet a professing Christian)has given me use of his building and his blessing to 'do the right thing for the people who need it'. When I told him that it was for those who don't fit into the traditional church model he smiled. When I told him that I will never ask anyone for money to build another church he was sold and threw me the keys. After being involved for decades with the denominational church scene and the home church community it will be refreshing to work again with no need of a net...and no fear of falling. Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication. I'm glad to hear of young people with a heart bent toward the basics. May God richly bless them with His power, His integrity, and His Holy Ghost bravery. Rock on Christian soldiers!"

--------