Here is the setup for a synchroblog (participants post on the same day about the same topic) for Monday, April 7th. It is open to everyone. I hope that you will participate! Please remember to link back to this post. If you email (glennhager1@gmail.com) your title by Sunday, I will post a listing on Monday. Also, feel free to copy this post to get the word out. ~ Thanks!

My personal journey, reading, blogging, and conversations with friends have led me to uncover the fringes of a huge group of people who operate under the radar of much of the world. They represent over 20 million people in the U.S. (This is the number of people who are already expressing their Christian faith in ways other than through a conventional church, according to the Barna organization.) who have lost (or, are losing) their faith in the institutional church system, yet have a deep love for Christ, his community and his mission. Many of you are a part of that number which includes those…

• Who have been wounded through serving and separating from “church as they have known it.”
• Who are feeling alone, wondering if there is something wrong with their theology, if they suffer from some personality disorder, or if they are doomed to isolation.
• Who are former church leaders or staff members trying to find a new sense of direction.
• Who eventually want to return to community and fellowship, but not get mired down in the system they left behind.
• Who long for a faith community that is vibrant, accepting, and real, that joins in God’s kingdom in practical ways where they live and beyond.

Some of their number may still be in a church where they are uncomfortable, some may be the pastor of such a church, some may be feeling the urge to begin a fresh expression of the church, and, of course, many have opted out of participation in their conventional churches and are trying to figure what is next.

I believe that the church is in the early stages of a dramatic shift, such as it has experienced only a few times in all of church history. For many of the pioneers and revolutionaries who are leading the way, it has been a journey filled with wonder, but also, pain, sacrifice, and loneliness.

Some of you know that I am trying to shape a ministry that would come along side these pioneers and revolutionaries and help them through the transition. This desire has grown out of my own experience of being a pastor for over twenty years, struggling find my place, and eventually, losing confidence in the church system that I used to love, but not in Christ or his mission.

My questions for you are:

• What do they/you need?
• What did/do you need as you as went/are going through this transitional phase?
• How can a ministry or service help them/you?

I know the best designer is the client, so dream along with me as you design something that helps people in practical ways. Feel free to reference your own story. I think there will be purpose and direction that springs forth from our journey that will help us as well as other travelers.