Experience Fresh Connection

Maybe the best way to describe a Fresh Connection Church (FreshC) is to share with you an experience I had in a setting very similar to what I envision as somewhat the  ”norm” for a FreshC. 

I had been transferred to the Dallas/Ft.Worth area and worked at a location with maybe 15 people.  Within a few weeks of getting there, one of my coworkers said he didn’t go to church but went to a men’s Bible study.  Would I like to go along with him?  Much to his surprise and encouragement, I said, “Sure!  Should I bring anything?”  He said every one just brought snacks or whatever you wanted to share with the others. 

I think it was a Tuesday night.  We left work and met at an old office / warehouse building.  The furnishings were old.  The carpet aged.  The folding chairs cold, but the spirit was warm.  Everyone was friendly, genuinely happy to see me and interested in my story.

There were about 8 of us gathered round in a circle of chairs.  One guy had brought an old jam box for music.  It played while we chatted and munched on chips and dip.  Before long, the canned music stopped and we began singing songs from a sheet of paper that had been passed out.  We didn’t have music and to hear some guys singing without music to hide our voices is an experience you shouldn’t miss.  Ha!

After a few unrehearsed songs, we began reading from different places in the Bible.  A spontaneous prayer was offered requesting God’s revelation.  You could read whatever you wanted and share any meaning you gleaned.  One guy was loosely leading the discussion with material he had prepared in advance, but it was not structured with agenda.  It was just an effort to creatively communicate his thoughts on where God had revealed himself through His Word. 

The conversation turned more serious as one man described the struggle he was going through and desired us to pray for him as encouragement.  He had a sincere desire to see God work a miracle in his life.  I popped open a can of soda.   We prayed.  He promised to let us know how things came out.  We sang some more.   

The sincerity of this man’s transparent need for God opened the door for others to share how God was working in their lives.  Some shared a desire for family or friends to come and experience this unique gathering.  We prayed for healing and safety.  We sang and ate some more.   The evening was just so natural and real.  Someone suggested we take up a collection for a brother who had very real financial struggles.   Life was beating up on him and our collection would be a great encouragement.

There was a very refreshing freedom to share in each others lives, experience God and enjoy His seemingly uninhibited presence.  I don’t think I ever experienced the intimate fellowship between a group of men and God before quite like this.  I wanted more. 

A couple hours flew by and I was totally refreshed at the connection made.  I began to see why my collegue did not go to organized church.  He much preferred the authenticity of a small group of men, singly chasing after God and enjoying the opportunity to catch Him according to His terms, not man’s preconceived ideas of what church should be programmed to be.

This was truly an example of what a Fresh Connection could be.