Free Spirit isn’t alone…we’re part of a larger church called the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We have regional ministers who are there to support us. My regional minister, Rev. Eugene James, asked me to write something about the foundation of the church. I wrote this and I like it enough to share!
Almost every Christian believes that the church should cross ethnic, class, geographical, and cultural boundaries, but almost every Christian goes to a church where they meet people who are mostly like them. We say, and even believe, that the Gospel is for all people, but most of us interact only with Christians who are pretty much like us.
There are powerful forces deep in human minds and human society that create barriers to building community and fellowship between people who come from different histories and cultures. Free Spirit is founded on the belief that the Holy Spirit is more powerful than the barriers that separate us from each other, that Paul meant it when he said “there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” that Jesus meant it when he said “I will draw all people to myself,” that it’s not mere chance that those words are part of the word of God.
Free Spirit is founded on the belief that separation and fear are not part of human nature. We are created in God’s image, to be at peace with each other, to be free from fear, to live with love. Each person has a deep yearning for that love, and Free Spirit will be a community where that love can be known—not because we imperfect humans can love each other perfectly, but because we can turn together to God whose love is perfect.