Higher Levels and Loftier Achievements Lorenzo“Lawrence”GrassiimmigratedtoOntariofromItalyin1912andsettledintheBowValleyin1916.AfterspendingfouryearsasasectionhandwiththeCPR,hebeganworkingintheCanmorecoalminesandsoonbecamerenownednotonlyasacoalminerbutalsoasasuperbclimberandclimbingguide(heissaidtohavecompletedthefirstsoloascentofMountAssiniboinein1925).LawrenceGrassiwasasmallman,buthisstrengthwaslegendary.Inthebiography,LawrenceGrassi:FromPiedmonttotheRockyMountains,ElioCostaandGabrieleScardellatotellthestoryofGrassicarryingawholestoveuptocamp—astovethattwomenhalfhisagecouldn’tcarryupamountain.WhenDr.R.D.WilliamsofCalgarybrokehislegwhileclimbingBastionPeakintheTonquinValleysouthwestofJasper,GrassicarriedWilliamstwomilesdownthesteepmountain,onhisback,acrossaglacier,andovermorainetoawait-ingrescueparty.

Grassi’sgreatestlegacyisthehikingtrailshebuiltforfuturegenerations,includingthestonestepsthatleadtotheaquamarineGrassiLakesandthetrailsaroundLakeO'Hara,LakeOesa,andLakeLouise.In1938,inaspeechtotheHouseofCommonssupportingthenamingoftwolakesafterLawrenceGrassi,WinnipegmemberofparliamentJ.S.Woodsworthrelatedthisstory:

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Dr.GregGlatzKnoxUnitedChurchJanuary31,2017Version1.51

2017 WHITE PAPER / ANNUAL REPORT

THE NEXT 1100 DAYS

LastsummerIspentamonthinalittlemountaintownintheRockies.Forme,themostinterestingindividualinthecommunitywasLawrenceGrassi,anItalianminer.Inthecourseofaprolongedstrike,insteadofloafingaboutthevillage,hesetoffintothehills,axeonshoulder,tomaketrailstopointsofinterest.Itwasalabouroflove.Helovedthemountainsbutenjoyedhavingotherssharetheirbeauty.Sodaybydayhepushedthroughthebushdiscoveringthebestwaysofapproach—blazingatrail,cuttingouttheunderbrush,grubbingoutstonesandrocks,bridginglittlemountainstreams….

Woodsworthwentontosay,"TheworldneedsGrassis...menwhowillseeknewpaths;maketheroughplacessmooth;bridgethechasmsthatnowpreventhumanprogress;pointthewaytohigherlevelsandloftierachievements."

The Value Innovation Equation IftheworldneedspeoplelikeLawrenceGrassi,thechurchdoestoo—peoplewhowhowillseeknewpaths,maketheroughplacessmooth,bridgethechasmsthatnowpreventprogress,andpointthewaytohigherlevelsandloftierachievements.Specifically,thechurchneedspeople—visionarycongregations—whowillmakeapathtoa21st-centurywayofdoingGod’smission.InlightofthemassiveparadigmshiftsCanadiansocietyhasmadeoverthepast50years,worship,membership,service,education,funding,etc.needtobereimaginedforapostmoderncontext.TheageofChristendom,inwhichthechurchcouldassumeaplaceofprivilegeandpowerinsociety,isover.Despitethisreality,andperhapsbecauseofit,thechurchhasextraordinarypotentialtoinfluencesociety,ifit’swillingtoshiftitsparadigms.

Onewaytomakeparadigmshiftsistodevelopblueoceanstrategies.Intheirseminalwork,BlueOceanStrategy(publishedin2005/ex-pandedin2015),INSEADprofessorsW.ChanKimandRenéeMauborgnenotethatcompaniestypicallyengageinhead-to-headcompetitiontogenerategrowth.However,competinghead-onusual-lyresultsinabloodyredoceanofrivalsfightingoverashrinkingprofitpool.Sustainablesuccesscomesfromcreatingblueoceansofuntappednewmarketspacesripeforgrowth.Forexample,insteadofretoolingtheSundaymorningworshipservice—aprogramthatalmosteverychurchoffers(withmostlydiminishingreturns)—whynotcreateanewexperiencethatisdifferentthanwhatotherchurchesoffer?

W.ChanKimandRenéeMauborgneciteCirqueduSoleilastheirfavouriteexampleofblueoceanstrategizing.CirqueduSoleilhasachievedremarkablegrowthandpopularityinwhatisotherwiseadecliningindustry(circusentertainment).Theydidsobyignoringthecompeti-tion.Whereasothercircusesfocusedonofferinganimalshows,hiringstarperformers,pre-

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sentingmultipleshowarenasintheformofthreerings,andpushingaisleconcessionsales,CirqueduSoleildidawaywithallthesefactors.Instead,itsoughttoofferpeoplethefunandthrillofthecircusandtheintellectualsophisticationandartisticrichnessofthetheatreatthesametime.Itissimultaneouslybothcircusandtheatre,yetnoteitherofthemintheirtradi-tional/predictableforms.Asaresult,CirqueduSoleilappealedtoawholenewgroupofcus-tomers—adultsandcorporateclientswillingtopayapriceseveraltimeshigherthantradi-tionalcircusesforanunprecedentedentertainmentexperience.Itcreatedablueoceanofnew,uncontestedmarketspaceandsucceeded.

KimandMauborgnesuggestthatthekeytosuccessfulblueoceanstrategiesisvalueinnova-tion.Asthetermimplies,valueinnovationrecognizestheimportanceofkeepingvalueandinnovationattheforefrontofstrategy.Valuewithoutinnovationresultsonlyinincrementalincreasesinvalue,whichisnotsufficienttomakesomethingstandoutinthemarketplace.Innovationwithoutvaluetendstobepioneeringorfuturistic,butshootsbeyondwhatbuyersarereadytoacceptandpayfor.

Thequestionis,therefore,howcanwereshapeministryatKnoxinawaythatincreasesvalueanddoessorapidlyandsignificantlyenoughtogainattentionandbuy-in?Whatkindofmin-istrywillcapturetheimaginationofCalgaryandinspirepeopletogivetheirtime,energy,andmoneytotheworkathand?

An Extra-Institutional Movement AlanHirschistheauthorofTheForgottenWays(revisedandexpandedin2016),aparadigm-shiftingbookonthemissionalchurch.TakinghiscuefromJesus,whowasamasterofmetaphors,Hirschclaimsthatmetaphorsare“ourbesttoolforthinkingcreatively.Newmetaphorsinvitevisionandinnovation.”Hirschbelievesthechurchneedsanewmetaphorforitself:

IfIsuggestthatthechurchisareligiousinstitution,whatimagescometomind?Normallythe“institution”metaphorcarriestheassociatedimageryofbuildings,sta-bility,stalwartsolidity,budgets,programs,policies,staffingandvolunteers,hierarchi-calorganization,andsoon.ButifIsimplychangethemetaphorandsuggestthatthechurchisamovement,itushersinawholenewwayofseeingthesamereality.Thelensorparadigmhaschanged.Whatseemedfamiliarnowisrecognizedinanewlight.Theword“movement”invitesyoutoseethechurchasmorefluid,messagebased,adaptive,highenergy,vital,andsoon.Weareforcedtorethinkeverythinginthelightofthatterm.ThatiswhyIalwaystellwould-bechurchplanters:don’tplantchurches—becauseyouthinkyouknowexactlywhattheyare—plantmovementsin-stead!Plantingamovementinvolvesanalmostcompletelydifferentagendathanplantingachurch!

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GladysGanielalsofeelsthemetaphorofchurchasinstitutionhasreacheditslimits.InTrans-formingPost-CatholicIreland:ReligiousPracticeinLateModernity,Ganielconcludesthatin-stitutionalchurchesareperceivedbythegeneralpublicaspartoftheproblemwiththestatusquo,ratherthanpartofthesolution.Sheofferstheideaofextra-institutionalreligiousgroupsasanalternative.Ganiel’sapproachisnotanti-institutional.Rather,anextra-institutionalap-proachmeansworkingbothapartfrom,andalongside,theinstitutionalchurch.

Anextra-institutionalapproachisanexcellentwaytoachieveAlanHirsch’sfocusonplantingmovementsratherthanproppingupinstitutions.Extra-institutionalreligiousgroupsarenotburdenedwiththebaggageofreligiousinstitutions,theyhavefreedomtocritiquereligiousinstitutions,andtheyhaveflexibilitytoformnetworkswithlike-mindedreligiousandseculargroupstorespondquicklytopressingissuesandneeds.However,theyarestillconnectedtoreligiousinstitutionsandabletoleveragetheresourcestheyprovide:

• Theyprovide spaceon themarginsof religious institutions fromwhichpeople fromchurchandcommunityworktogetherforsocialandpoliticalchangeandtransforma-tion.

• They allow individuals to maintain some relationship (even a strained relationship)with historic religion, which provides a counter-balance to the hyper-individualistictendencytoconstructa“Godofone'sown.”

• Theyprovidenewpotential for reconciliationbecause theyareconnected to institu-tionalreligion,yetareintentionallynon-sectarian/anti-sectarianandnotboundbytheagendaofaninstitutionorobligatedtodefenditslegacy(e.g.residentialschools,theIrishTroubles).

Ganielimaginesextra-institutionalreligiousgroupsasaseedbedofreformandrenewalinthechurch.Tousethelanguageofthebusinessworld,theyrepresentablueoceanstrategyforthechurchandpresentconsiderablepotentialforvalueinnovation.

Extra-institutionalreligiousgroupsbeginwithinnovatorswhoneedtobenamed.Next,inno-vatorsbecomeconnectedinnetworks.Newcommunitiesofpracticearenourishedbythesenetworks.Eventually,anewsystemofinfluenceisilluminatedbythesecommunitiesofprac-tice.ParkerPalmerdescribesthetrajectoryinthisway:

• Isolated innovators reachapointwhere thegapbetweentheir innerandouter livesbecomessopainfulthattheyresolvetolive“dividednomore.”

• These innovatorsdiscover eachother in groups thatdeveloparounddeclarationsofpersonalneedandoperatebyalternativeground-rules.

• Empoweredbyacommunityofcongruence,theirmovementfindsapublicvoice.• Themovementdevelops—andbecomes—analternativerewardsystem.

Inplainlanguage,“church”isnolongeradefinedinstitutionwhichpeoplemustaccept,asis.Rather,itisamovementformedbytheselfawareness,conscience,independentwill,andcre-ativeimaginationofinnovatorswhonetworktogethertocreatenewcommunitiesofpractice

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thataretheirownreward(i.e.,theydon’tdependontheconfirmationoraffirmationofanexistingreligiousinstitutiontobedeemedsuccessful).

Whileanextra-institutionalreligiousgroupisdistinctfromaninstitutionalreligiousgroup,itisnotcreatedforthepurposeofreplacinganexistinginstitutionalreligiousgroup.Intwo-loopschangetheory,afirst-loopinstitutionalreligiousgroupcanco-existwithasecond-loopextra-institutionalreligiousgroup,andsomepeoplemayfindthemselvesinalong-termtransitionbetweenbothgroups.Thekeyisfortheinstitutionalgrouptomakeroomfortheextra-institutionalgroup’snewleaders,net-works,communitiesofpractice,andemergingsystemofinfluenceandfortheextra-institu-tionalgrouptoacknowledgetheinstitutionalgroup’saffectionfor,andattachmentto,exist-ingpractices,programs,policies,etc.

Also,itmaybedifficultattimestoidentifywhatpractice/programisbeingshapedbywhichgroup.Forexample,whiletheSundayworshipserviceatKnoxhastraditionallybeendrivenbyaninstitutionalperspective,itmaybecomelessinstitutionally-focusedandmoremovement-oriented.Sametimeslotinthesamespace,andstillacoreministry,butrenewedandalignedwiththemission-driveninitiativesofanemergingvision,ratherthanthe“mainattraction.”

The Next 1100 Days: A Place-Making Vision AtKnox,wearecomingtounderstandGod’smission(themissioDei)asaministryofreconcil-iation(2Corinthians5:18-20).Godisbreakingdownwallsandbuildingbridges.Godiscon-nectingpeopleforthecommongood—connectingpeopletoGod,connectingpeopletoeachother,connectingpeopletothemselves,andconnectingpeopletocreation.AlthoughKnoxhasacolonialhistorytoaddress,andinrecentyearsanddecadeshasoccasionallyoperatedasacolonizingspaceofsocialcontrol,italsohasgreatpotentialtobefertilegroundforGod'smissionofmakingconnectionsforthecommongood.Severalyearsago,thecongregationadoptedthemotto,"Godishereforeveryone"andwhilethetaglineperhapsoveremphasizesthechurchasthedomainofGod'spresenceandactivity,thecongregationhasadecades-long,well-establishedtrackrecordofbeingwelcomingandinclusive.OfspecialsignificanceisitsproudclaimtobethefirstaffirmingcongregationinCalgary(affirmingcongregationsarefullyinclusiveofpeopleofallsexualorientationsandgenderidentities,andcommitthemselvesto

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workforjusticeandinclusionwithintheircongregation,thewiderchurch,andtheircommu-nity).

Themissionofmakingconnectionsforthecommongoodisbreathtakingagendainscope,andonethatisparticularlyrelevantinanageinwhichvitalconnectionsaredamaged,broken,ornon-existent.Economicdisparityisgrowing.TheLGBTQcommunityisstillfightingforequality.Bullyingisrampant.Racialprejudicetowardsminoritiesandapathytowardsrefugeesispal-pable.Disconnectionisnotuniquetominorityandmarginalizedgroups.ThephenomenonofsocialisolationisepidemicinGlobalNorthsocietiesandcutsacrosssocio-economicbound-aries.Socially-isolatedpeoplefaceanincreasedriskfornumerousphysicalhealthissues,in-cludingimpairedmobility,lungdisease,arthritis,infectiousillness,heartdisease,anddeath.Socialisolationhasbeenlinkedtodepression,anxiety,socialstigma,dementia,andincreasedriskofcognitivedecline.Conversely,socialconnectionhasapositiveinfluenceonphysicalandmentalhealthandwellbeing,aswellascontributingtobettereconomicperformance,lowerlevelsofcrime,improvedpublichealth,andmoreeffectivegovernmentinstitutions.

Asecond-loop,extra-institutionalvisionofGod’smissionintheGlobalNorthneedstoaddresstheproblemofsocialisolationandhighlightthebenefitsofsocialconnection.Forthatreason,whenDaveHolmesandIdraftedavisionforthenextthreeyears(1100days)atKnox,weworkedtohardensurethevisionwouldhelpKnoxgaintractiononmakingconnectionsforthecommongood.Fourinitiativesemerged,eachoftheminterdependentwiththeotherthree:

Developarelationalleadershipstructure

Becomeapost-colonialchurch

Createamission-drivenvisionforKnoxHall

Launchanewcommunityministryinourhistoricbuilding

Allfouroftheseinitiativesaredrivenbythebeliefthatministryismosteffectivewhenitissimultaneouslymission-driven,relational,andincarnational(MRI).Thesethreeapproachesarewell-articulatedforachurchcontextinSoBeautiful:DivineDesignforLifeandtheChurchbyLeonardSweet.Amission-drivenapproachassumesclarity,focus,movement,andalign-

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mentaroundmissionwillyieldbetterresultsthanattemptingtoattractpeopletoastreamofunrelatedandunfocusedeventsandprograms.Arelationalapproachassumesthatgettingtoknowpeople—theirstrengths,experiences,interests,ideas,andaspirations—willyieldbetterresultsthatgettingtoknowthelatestauthor,book,creed,orpolicystatement.Anincarna-tionalapproachassumesthatacongregationpreoccupiedwithbecomingmorelikeJesuswillyieldbetterresultsthanacongregationpreoccupiedwithgettingotherstobecomemorelikethemselves—dress-code,musicpreferences,socio-economicstatus,etc.

KeepinginmindthethreefoldMRIapproachdescribedabove,andrecognizingallfourinitia-tivesinTheNext1100Daysvisionareinterdependent,I’dliketofocusonthefourthinitiativeinthispaper—launchanewcommunityministryinourhistoricbuilding.

Knoxhasawell-equippedandwell-maintainedhistoricbuildinglocatedintheheartofthedowntownbusinessandresidentialcommunitiesofCalgary.Its1912neo-Gothicframeandstained-glasssanctuaryisinspiring.Itsnarthexopensontoasteadystreamofweekdayofficeworkersandacommunityofweeknight/weekendresidents.Itswonderfultheatre,alargekitchen,andahandsomeparloursitbelowthesanctuary.Forallofthesereasons,historicbuildingisanextraordinarypieceofthebuiltenvironmentofdowntownCalgary.

ApartfromtheSundayworshipservice,concertrentalsinthesanctuary,andoccasionalrentalsinotherpartsofthebuilding,thebuildingisdormantthevastmajorityoftheweek.Thebuildingneedsanewvision,onethatisdrivenbyGod’smissionofmakingconnectionsforthecommongoodand,consideringitssignificanceinthebuiltenvironmentofdowntownCal-gary,onethatisdedicatedtoplace-making.

BiblicalscholarandtheologianWalterBrueggemanndefinesplace-makingbymakingadis-tinctionbetweenspaceandplace.Spaceissquarefootage.Placeisspacewhichhasmeaning,inwhichimportantwordshavebeenspokenwhichhaveestablishedidentity,definedvoca-tion,envisioneddestiny,etc.Placeisaprotestagainsttheemptinessofspace.Place-making,therefore,istheintentionalactoftransformingspaceintoplacebypromotingandnurturingconnections.

WhatwoulditmeantomakethespacesinourhistoricbuildingintoplaceswherepeopleinourcommunityandcityareconnectingtoGod,toeachother,totheirownselves,andtocre-ation?Whatwoulditlookliketowelcomepeopleintothesespaceseveryweekdaymorning,throughthelunchhour,andintotheafternoonandbringresidentstogetheronweeknightsandweekends?Whatkindofplace-makingvisionwouldturnthesesacredspacesintoholyplaceswherepeopleareconnectingforthecommongoodeveryday?

PriortomyarrivalatKnox,IspentthreeyearsatWestminsterUnitedChurchinWinnipeg,whereIfocusedmyenergyonlaunchingtheBellTowerCommunityCafé(BTCC).TheBTCCtaglineis“makinggoodthingstogether,”areferencetothecollaborationbetweenthechurch,communityresidents,localbusinesses,localmusicians,andothernon-profitorgsthatmakesthecafeaplaceformakingconnections.Itbeganwithanattendanceof90-100peopleinNo-

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vember2013andquicklygrewto150-200peopleduringthefollowingwinterand200-250peopleinthesummerwhenthecafewouldspilloutontothechurch’slawn.

MycalltoKnoxwasinlargepartdrivenbythesearchcommittee’sbeliefthatasimilarkindofexperiencecouldbedevelopedatKnox.Consequently,Ihavespentasignificantamountoftimeoverthepast18monthsgettingtoknowthepeopleatKnox,itsphysicalresources,andtheresourcesofthesurroundingcommunitywithaviewtofacilitatingacommunitycafeex-periencethatisindigenoustodowntownCalgary.Asignificantpartofthisdiscernmenthasoccurredduringconversationsat“officehours”(drop-inmeetingsatlocalcoffeeshops)andinKitchenTablediscussions(mission-focusedreadinganddiscussiongroupsatmyhouse).IhavealsoworkedondevelopingrelationshipswithpotentialpartnersinCalgary,includingCalgaryFoodBank,localcoffeeshops/bakeries/grocerystores/etc.,localmusicians,localvisualartists,andothernon-profitorgs.IhaveusedmystudyleavetoresearchtheHeartwoodCommunityCafe(Vancouver),RegentParkCommunityFoodCentre(Toronto),NorthwestCo-opCommuni-tyFoodCentre(Winnipeg),andTheAlexCommunityFoodCentre(Calgary).Iamalsore-searchingGroundswellCafe(Vancouver),PotluckCafe&Catering(Vancouver),TheTeaRoom(Queen’sUniversity),andhavestudiedtwochurch-basedplace-makinginitiativesinSanFran-ciscoandvisitedthreechurch-basedplace-makinginitiativesinLondon(UK),includingtheSanctuaryCaféatSt.JamesChurch/TheSherriffCentre.

Inthecontextofatraditionalcongregationmeetinginahistoricbuilding,aplace-makingini-tiativerequiresunconventionalthinking.It’snotsimplyamatteroflaunchinganewprogram.It’saboutlaunchingamovementdrivenbyGod’smissionofconnectingpeopleforthecom-mongood.Thiswillbeasecond-loopmovement—anextra-institutionalreligiousgroupwork-ingbothalongsideandapartfromKnox,andonadifferenttrajectorythantheexisting,first-loopcultureandpracticesatKnox.ItwillbeconnectedtoKnox,butnotfocusedprimarilyonservingorsupportingtheexistingministrypracticesatKnox.Itwillbefocusedonthemissionofmakingconnections,andinsodoingwillpositionthehistoricbuildingatKnoxasavisibleandcrediblecommunityplaceindowntownCalgary,whichwillinturngeneratethemomen-tum,participation,andsupportneededforthisbeautifulbuildingtosurviveandthriveinapostmodern,post-Christendomcontext.

Eating and Working Together Thekeytolaunchingamission-drivenmovementinthehistoricbuildingatKnoxistosolvewhatblue-oceanstrategistscallthevalueinnovationequation(seeabove).Inotherwords,whataremission-drivenusesofthehistoricbuildingthatarebothinnovativeandfocusedonincreasingvalueforthecommunityandthechurch?Inpart,thisequationcanbesolvedbyaskingfourquestions:

• Whatassumptions/practicesofhistoricchurchescanbeeliminated?(e.g.,Canwedis-continueoutdated/irrelevantdefinitionsofwhatisholyorsacred?)

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• Whatassumptions/practicescanbereducedbelowtypicalnormsofhistoricchurches?(e.g.,Canwedecreasethepreoccupationwith,ormyopicfocus,onSundaymorningworship?)

• Whatassumptions/practicescanberaisedabovetypicalnormsofhistoricchurches?(e.g.,Canweincreaseourfocusonradicalhospitality,extravagantgenerosity,risk-tak-ingmissionandservice,intentionalfaithdevelopment,andpassionateworship?)

• Whatnewassumptions/practicescanbecreatedforhistoricchurches?(e.g.,Canweintroducenon-traditionalconfigurationsofhistoricspace,ormakeroomforextra-in-stitutionalstakeholders?)

Whatfollowsbelowisanattempttodescribemission-drivenusesofthehistoricbuildingthatbegintosolvethevalueinnovationequation.

Ea#ngTogether

Oneofthebestwaystoconnectpeople,intheGlobalNorthandanywhereintheworld,isaroundfood.Unfortunately,thisisadiminishingtrendinGlobalNorthsocieties.AnAmericanstudynotesthatnearlyhalf(47%)ofallmealsandsnacksareeateninsolitudeandtheconse-quencesofeatingalonearesignificant.StudiesinChinaandJapanhaveshownthatlackofcompanionshipduringmealtimeisassociatedwithdepressioninolderadults.ACanadianstudyfollowed14,280gradeninestudentsoverfouryearsandfoundthatteenswhoatealonehadpoorerhearthealthmeasures,includinghighercholesterolandbloodpressure,andhigh-erBMI(anindicatorforobesity).AKoreanstudythatlookedatfifthandsixthgradestudents

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inKoreafoundthatchildrenwhoatebreakfastordinneraloneweremorelikelytoreportlowerphysicalandmentalhealth.(Formoredetails,seetheCommunityFoodCentresCanadabackgrounder,SocialIsolationandtheValueofCommunityConnection.)

Forthisreason,thecommunityfoodcentremovementinCanadabelievesthatfoodmustbeseenasmorethanasolutiontohungeralone.CommunityFoodCentresCanadaissupportingvibrant,food-focusedorganizationsthatbringpeopletogethertogrow,cook,share,andad-vocateforhealthyfoodforall.Why?“Becauseaninvestmentingoodfoodcanbethefirstin-gredientinhealthierandmoreconnectedcommunities.”

IhavevisitedcommunityfoodcentresinToronto,Winnipeg,andCalgaryandit’sreadilyap-parentthatthemovementiseffectivelycreatingcommunityaroundthevariousactivitiesre-latedtoacquiring,preparing,andeatingfoodtogether.Inadditiontothecommunityfoodcentremovement,thegrowingpopularityoflocalrestaurantsandcafesasthirdplacesisavisibleindicatorthatpeopleareseekingwaystoconnectaroundfood.

CreatedbyFatherAndrewForeshew-Cain,theSanctuaryCafeinSt.James’ChurchisusingfoodtofightsocialisolationintheWestHampsteadpartofLondon.Approximately3,500peoplevisitthesanctuaryeveryweek(inacountrywhereonly1.4%ofthepopulationattendChurchofEnglandservicesonatypicalSundaymorning)toenjoynutritious,delicious,andwell-pricedfoodandtousethepost-officeandchildren’splayarea.

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FatherAndrewexplainshisvisionasfollows:

IhavealwaysbelievedinwhatisactuallyaverytraditionalviewoftheChurch:thatitshouldbeattheheartoflocalcommunitiesandcanbefarmorethanaplaceofwor-ship.Itcanbeaplacewherechildrenandfamiliescometogethertomeetandso-cialise,whereimportantcommunityservicescanbehostedandwherevulnerablemembersofthecommunitycanfeelsupported.

ItwasonthisbasisthatweoriginallyofferedourbeautifulchurchbuildingasanewhomefortheWestHampsteadPostOffice.Itisalsowhathasdriventhedevelopmentofthisfantasticrangeofactivitieswhichwillbeahuboflifeinthelocalcommunity.

GlendaJackson,theMPforHampsteadandKilburn,callstheinitiative“greatnewsforthelo-calcommunity.”Theprojectstartedin2012andispartofCapitalVision2020,theDioceseofLondon’scollectivevisiontoencouragethechurchtobemoreconfidentinspeakingandlivingGospelofJesusChrist,morecompassionateinservingcommunitieswiththeloveofGod,andmorecreativeinreachingnewpeopleandplacesinthepoweroftheSpirit.

Fromavalueinnovationperspective,thehistoricbuildingatKnoxhasuniquepotentialtobringpeopletogetheraroundfood.Thebuildingiscentrallylocated,closetopublictrans-portationandactivetransportation,andabeautiful,inspiringhistoricspacebothinsideandout.Configuringpartofthehistoricbuildingasacafe/restaurant/kitchen/bakeryoffersauniqueandupliftingplaceforthecommunitytoconnectforthecommongoodaroundfoodwhileincreasingexposure,interest,good-will,support,buy-in,potentialpartnerships,andpo-tentialrevenueforKnox.Fewotherspacescanprovidethisinnovativecombinationofproper-tyassetsandhigh-valueconnectionsforthecommunityandthechurch.

WorkingTogether

Co-workingspacesareagrowingtrendinNorthAmericancities.Aco-workingspaceisasharedworkspacethatbringsentrepreneursandfreelancerstogetherunderoneroof,givingthemaccesstothebenefitsofanofficeenvironmentwhileprovidinganexperienceofcom-munity.Co-workinghasitsrootsinthesharingeconomy(thinkAirbnbandUber)alongwithfinancialdownturnsthathaveerasedtypicalofficejobsandworkspaces.However,co-workingismorethananeconomy-drivenphenomenon.Co-workingisaboutmakingconnectionsandfightingthesocialisolationthatdebilitatesstart-upsandentrepreneurs.

AccordingtoCalgaryEconomicDevelopment,thereareaboutadozenco-workingspacesinourcity.InAugust2016,TheCalgaryHeraldprovidedthefollowingglimpseintotheCalgaryco-workingscene:

RebeccaFrederickmovedintoWorkNiceronCalgary’sStephenAvenueaftermorethanayearofoperatinghergraphicdesigncompany—CreativeNobility—outofcof-feeshopsandherownkitchen.

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Shewasoneofthefirstentrepreneurstosetupshopinthenewco-workinglocation,whichprovidesitsmemberswitheverythingfromdesksandofficesuppliestoagymandunlimitedcoffee.ButsincesettlingintothespaceafterWorkNicer’sopeninglastDecember,Frederickhasbeenjoinedbymanyothers.

"Atthebeginningtherewerejustfiveorsixpeopleintheoffice—nowIwouldsaythere’s30-plusdifferentcompaniesthatcomeinonanygivenday,”shesays.“Ithinktheeconomymighthavesomethingtodowithit—peoplethatmayhavelosttheirjobnowhavetheopportunitytogooutontheirownandstartuptheirownpassionproject,andtheyneedsomewheretowork.”

EntrepreneurswhoworkoutofAssemblyCoworkingSpaceon14StinNWCalgarypayanin-troductoryrateof$300monthfortheirfirstsixmonths(risingto$400monthlyafterthat).Thefeecoversutilities,adesk,Internet,printers,coffee,meetingroomaccess,mailboxspace—amenitiesthattheownerofafledglingbusinessmaynothavetimeorenergytoarrange.

St.Lydia’sisaprogressive,LGBTQ-affirmingcongregationintheGowanusneighborhoodofBrooklynthathascreatedaco-workingspaceitdescribesas“aspaceforanyone,ofanyornofaith,lookingforamorespirituallyconnectedwaytoliveandwork.”Theirpitchissimple:“Whyworkhereinsteadofathome?”

St.Lydia’shasdoneaneffectivejobofconfiguringtheirspacetoprovidehigh-valueconnectionsatrelativelylowcost.Theydescribetheirco-workingspaceasfollows:

ABeautiful,QuietSpace:We’vegotacomfortable,light-filledworkspacewithanicebigkitchen,lotsofoutletsandreallygoodwifi,perfectforbeingveryproductive.

BetterThanaCoffeeShop:Whenyouworkatacoffeeshop,youhavetotakeyourstuffwithyoueverytimeyourunoutforanerrand.TheWi-Fiisspotty,andyouhavetokeepbuyingcoffee!Asaco-worker,youcanleaveyourstuffherewhenyourunout,trustthattheWi-Fiwillalwaysberunning,printandphotocopy,andmakeyourowncoffee(forfree!)wheneveryouwant.Plus,you’reconnectingeachdaytoagroupofmotivatedco-workers.

SpirituallyGroundedandConnected:Aswegrow,we’rebuildinganetworkedcom-munityoffreelancerswithopportunitiesforafternoonyogabreaks,silentmedita-tion,workshopsforsharingideas,CSApickups,andwhateverelseyoucanthinkof!

Coffee,Tea,FreeLunchandCookieThursday!WorkingataDinnerChurchmeansthefridgetendstobepackedwithleftoversfromservicesthenightbeforethatareupforgrabs.Weofferfreecoffeeandtea,andabigkitchenwhereyoucanmakeyour

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lunch.OnWednesdays,whoeverwantstosharesayummymealprovidedbySt.Ly-dia's.That,pluswarmcookieseveryThursdayafternoonmakesforaprettypleasantworkenvironment.

It'sClosetoEverything:We’relocatedinGowanus,closetorestaurantsinCarrollGardens,andadjacenttoParkSlope.Thereareplentyofrestaurantsnearby,andwe'reashortwalkfromtheUnionstopontheRandtheCarrollstopontheF/G.

TheSt.Lydia’sco-workingspaceisopenfrom8:00a.m.to6:30p.m.andhasaflexiblepricingmodel,rangingfrom$80/monthforpart-timeco-workersusingthespace8hours/weekto$240/monthforfull-timeco-workers.

Fromavalueinnovationperspective,thehistoricbuildingatKnoxiscentrallylocated,closetopublictransportationandactivetransportation,andabeautiful,inspiringhistoricspacebothinsideandout.Configuringpartofthehistoricasaco-workingspaceoffersauniqueandup-liftingplaceforentrepreneursandfreelancerstoconnectwhileincreasingexposure,interest,good-will,support,buy-in,potentialpartnerships,andpotentialrevenueforKnox.Fewotherspacescanprovidethisinnovativecombinationofpropertyassetsandhigh-valueconnectionsforthecommunityandthechurch.

Bridging Social Capital Asnotedabove,thehistoricbuildingatKnoxpresentsavaluableanduniquecombinationofassets.Workinginpartnershipwithmembersofthecommunity,localbusinesses,andnon-profitsorgsandfundingagencies,anextra-institutionalreligiousgroupwouldhavelittlediffi-cultyimaginingplace-makinginitiativesinthehistoricbuildingthatsolvethevalueinnovationequation(andallowtheexistinginstitutiontocontinueitsoperations).Enterprisesaroundthethemesofeatingtogetherandworkingtogethercouldincludethefollowing:

Entrez!:atakeawaycoffee/espressobarinthenarthex,opentothestreet(weekdays)

SanctuaryCafé:tables,chairs,andpews(unique-lyconfigured),availableinpart(s)ofthesanctu-aryforpeopletoread,write,meet,etc.;alsousedforbooklaunches,workshops,presenta-tions(weekdaysandweekends)

BellTowerCommunityCafé:afull-servicerestaurantandbakerywithseatingavailableinthetheatre(weekdays/weekends)

Parler:aco-workingspaceintheparlour(week-days/weekends)

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Theseenterpriseswouldbesocialenterprises,withaprimaryemphasisonthecreationofbridgingsocialcapital.Bridgingsocialcapitalisthemomentumandresourcesgeneratedbymakingconnectionsforthecommongood.Afocusonthecreationofbridgingsocialcapitaldoesnotprecludethepossibilityofprofit,butisacommitmenttowhateconomistJohnKaycallsobliquity.Anobliqueapproachbelievesthatusingthehistoricspaceprimarilyforthepurposesofgeneratingcashflowmoneyisnotthebestwaytogeneratecashflow.Instead,organicandsustainablegrowthisachievedbybuildingconnectionsforthecommongood,whichthenwillattractinterest,support,funding,etc.

Inordertomaximizethegenerationofbridgingsocialcapital,thesesocialenterpriseswouldfeaturediverseyetcomplimentaryprogramming.Forexample,theSanctuaryCafécouldhostavarietyofeventsthatfeaturetheassetsofthespace:

• BookCafeNight:ahostteamsupwithalocalluminarytodelvedeepintoagoodbook.(InJanuary2017,CalgaryPublicLibraryCEO,BillPtacek,andWordfestGeneralDirector,ShelleyYoungblut,hostedadiscussionofTheHandmaid'sTalebyMargaretAtwoodattheMemorialParkLibrary.Interestedparticipantswereaskedtoregisteraheadoftime.100registrationswereavailable;200peopleapplied.)

• AfternoonTea:pottedteaandatieredselectionofgoodies,includingsandwiches,cookies,cakes,scones,andFrenchpastries.Servedweekdayafternoons2-4p.m.

• CaféConcerts:anafternoonoreveningshowcaseofalocal/Canadiansinger-song-writer,band,choir,ensemble,etc.

• SongwriterCircle:localsinger/songwritersshowcasingtheirownmusicorthemusicofasuper-songwriter(e.g.,LeonardCohen).

• AcousticOpenStage:weeklyopenstagenighthostedbylocalartistorartist-in-resi-denceatKnox.

• Beer&Hymns:grabapintinonehandandahymnbookintheother,andjoininarousingrenditionofchurchmusicfromthepast.

• Pop-UpChoir:thecommunitygathersinthecafetolearnandrecordasong.(AtChoir!Choir!Choir!inToronto,100-300hundredparticipantspay$5toreceivealyricssheettoapopularsong,andaredividedintothreesectionsbypitch.Ledbyaconduc-torandaguitarplayer,theyrehearsethethree-partsongarrangementandrecorditforYouTube.)

•WeekendWorship:Worshipfollowedbycontinentalbrunch.• Chocolate&WinePairing:afunandeducationaleveningofpairingawinewithyourfavouritechocolates.

• BoardGameNight:boardgames,alongwithagreatcupofteaoraglassofwine,bringfriendsandneighbourstogether.

• PaintNight:grabaglassofwine(orotherbeverage)andtryyourhandatpaintingsomethingbeautiful.

• Stand-UpComedyNight:sometimeslaughteristhebestmedicine.• YogaforChange:ayogasessioninthesanctuary,followedbycoffee/tea,etc.• eXplore:coursesforthespiritualbutnotreligious(SBNR)demographic.

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• Spiritual-WellnessWorkshops:apresentationonpracticesorperspectivesthatpro-motespiritualwell-being.

• CommunityDialogues:politicians/panels/orgshostingconversationsaboutinclusion,accessibility,etc.

• UserGroupMeetings:cyclists,photographers,etc.whomeetovercoffeeandfood.

TheBellTowerCommunityCaféalsopresentsamyriadofpossibilities.Inadditionitsregularrestaurantfunctionality,thefollowingevents/programscouldbeoffered:

• Extra-OrdinaryFeast:localchefscreategourmetmealswithcontributionsfromtheCalgaryFoodBankandsurplusfromlocalrestaurants,cafes,andgrocers.(AtExpo2015inMilan,chefMassimoBotturaandafewoftheworld’sbestchefscreatedaspaceinMilantocookleftoveringredientsfromtheExpopavilions.Themealswerepreparedforstudentsandpeoplestrugglingwithpoverty.)

• TasteofCalgaryDowntown:afreemonthly/quarterlycommunityeventshowcasingthefood,artandcultureofrestaurantsintheDowntownCalgaryBusinessRevitaliza-tionZone.Includesacateredmeal,followedbyafreefilmscreeninginthesanctuary(popcornincluded).

• NewcomerKitchen:newcomerstoCanadaareinvitedtocookmealsthataresoldon-lineforpickupordelivery.Proceedssharedamongthecooks.(SeetheoriginalNew-comerKitcheninTorontoforimpressivestats.)

• GlobalCafe:adailymenuorspecialthatfeaturesadishfromalocalimmigrantorrefugeecommunity.

• JustBread:Asocial-enterprisebakeryoperationthatequitablycompensatestalent,sustainsadiverseworkforce,andproducesartisanal-qualitybread,loaves,etc..

• SoupforthePeople:nutritiousanddelicioussoup,availableonapay-what-you-canbasis(orfreeviaMealshareora“suspendedfood”program).

• SkillBuildingWorkshops:food-centeredworkshopsaroundaspecificfood-prepskill(e.g.,learninghowtomakebreadfromscratch,makingcannedpreservesandjams,bakingseasonalcookies,pastries,andchocolates,creatingasouporastewfromeasi-lyaccessibleingredients,slow-cookercooking).

• FoodDemonstrations:ashortdemonstrationfeaturingseasonal/readily-availablefood,withopportunitytoaskquestionsandsamplethedishcreated.

•Men’sCookingGroup:guysprepareamealandlearnnewcookingskills.• CookAhead:aprogramthatmakesbigbatchesofrecipestofreezeoreatthroughouttheweek.

• BreakfastClub:makebreakfastandmeetoverbreakfast.

Finally,eachofthesesocialenterpriseswouldnotonlybuildmomentumbyhostingavarietyofeventsandprogramsthemselves,butalsobydoingsosimultaneouslywiththeothersocialenterprisesinthebuilding.Forexample,Parlerco-workerscouldbecomeregularcustomersattheSanctuaryCaféandtheBellTowerCommunityCafé.Entrez!visitorsmightregisterfora

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workshopofferedintheSanctuaryCafé.Themomentumofonesocialenterprisewouldthuslendmomentumtotheothersocialenterprises,exponentiallyincreasingthevalueinnovationpotentialofthehistoricbuildingasawhole.

Place-Making Is People Atthecoreofloftierachievements,blueoceanstrategies,valueinnovation,launchingmove-ments,extra-institutionalreligiousgroups,place-making,bridgingsocialcapital,andsocialenterprisesarepeople.Weneedministers,churchstaff,andchurchandcommunitymemberswhoarefocusedon,andgiftedandequippedfor,makingconnectionsforthecommongood.Intheverynearfuture,itislikelythiswillbecomethecoreofourcongregationalidentityandconsequentlydrawagrowingproportionofKnox'stime,energy,andfinancialresources.Mak-ingconnectionsforthecommongoodwillsupplement,andforsomepeoplesupplant,themoretraditionalunderstandingofworship—aligningmorecloselywithbiblicalimageofwor-shipasofferingourselvesaslivingsacrifices(Romans12:1,2)ratherthanofferingprayers,hymns,anthems,sermons,etc.

BasedonmypreviousexperiencewiththeBellTowerCommunityCaféinWinnipeg,manyofthepeopleweneedarealreadyinourmidst.ThesearepeoplewhobelongtoinstitutionalreligiousgroupssuchasKnoxandarereadytotransitionintosecond-loop,extra-institutionalapproachestoministry.Insomecases,thesefolkshavebeenwaitingforyearsordecadesfortheirchurchtodosomethingnewanddifferent.Therearealsothe“dones”—peoplewhoare

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donewithchurchasweknowit,havestoppedattending,andinsistonsomethingdifferentbeforetheycomebacktochurch.

It’salsoimportanttoconsidertheresourcesofthecommunityatlarge.InTheAbundantCommunity:AwakeningthePowerofFamiliesandNeighborhoods,JohnMcKnightandPeterBlockarguethattheresourceseverycommunityneedsalreadyexistinthatcommunity.Thekeyisrecognizingthepotentialofourcommunitiesinsteadoflookingelsewhereforresourcesandsolutions:

• Ourneighbourhoodsaretheprimarysourceofourhealth.• Whetherwearesafeandsecureinourneighbourhoodislargelywithinourdomain.• Thefutureofourearth—theenvironment—isamajorlocalresponsibility.• Inourneighbourhoodsandvillages,wehavethepowertobuildaresilienteconomy—onelessdependentonthemegasystemsoffinanceandproductionthathaveprovedtobesounreliable.

• Wearecomingtoseethatwehaveaprofoundlocalresponsibilityforthefoodweeat.• Wearelocalpeoplewhomustraiseourchildren.• Locally,wearethesiteofcare.

Realizingtheabundantcommunityisprimarilyaboutseeingpeopleasourgreatestassetanddefiningprosperity,potential,andprioritiesintermsofmakingconnections:

• First,weseetheabundancethatwehave—individually,asneighbours,andinthisplaceofours.

• Second,weknowthatthepowerofwhatwehavegrowsfromcreatingnewconnec-tionsandrelationshipsamongandbetweenwhatwehave.

• Third,weknowthattheseconnectionsarenoaccident.Theyhappenwhenweindi-viduallyorcollectivelyacttomaketheconnections—-theydon’tjusthappenbythem-selves.

Thus,place-makingisultimatelynotabouttransformingspaces,butaboutmakingroominourhearts—andourbuilding—forthepeopleinourcommunity.

Thishasprofoundimplicationsforthewaywedochurch,goingforward.Churchesneedtheirabundantcommunitiesinordertosurviveandthrive.Churchesnolongerhavethecapacitytoexistinabubblewhilecommunitiesandculturecontinuetochangeandprogress.Calgaryso-ciologistJoelThiessenhasprovidedasoberreflectionontheprospectsofchurchasweknowitinTheMeaningofSunday:ThePracticeofBeliefinaSecularAge.Thiessenpointsoutthatreligious"nones"(noreligiousaffiliation)arethefastestgrowing“religious”groupinCanada,theUnitedStates,andotherwesterncountries.The2011CanadianCensusrevealsthat24%ofCanadianadultshave“noreligion,”upfrom16%in2001,12%in1991,4%in1971,andun-der1%inthe1950s.SimilarupwardtrendsinthereligiousnonescategoryareevidentintheUnitedStates,where15%to20%currentlyclaimnoreligion,upfrom8%in1990.Churchat-

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tendanceinCanadaishalfofwhatitwasinthe1980s(whichwashalfofwhatitwasinthe1950s).Canadaisnotuniqueinthisregard.Only1.4%ofthepopulationofEnglandattendsChurchofEnglandservicesonSundaymornings.InFrance,only4.5%ofthepopulationat-tendschurchwithanykindofregularity(andmuchofthatattendanceisdrivenbyimmigrantcommunities).Thiessen’sconclusionissobering,butnotsurprising:“Takenasawhole,IthinktheevidenceisclearthatcontinuedsecularizationattheindividuallevelisontheCanadianhorizon.”

Forthesereasons,thetimehascomeforthechurchtoreinterpretGod’smissionofconnect-ingpeopletoGod,connectingpeopletoeachother,connectingpeopletotheirtrueselves,andconnectingpeopletocreation.Traditionalchurchpracticesneedtobereorientedaroundmission.Newpracticesneedtobeconceived.HowweparticipateinGod’smissioninthe21stcenturyrequiresblue-oceanstrategicthinkingthatprovidesrenewedmotivation,roomtomove,andopportunitiestosucceed.Byturningtotheabundantcommunityaroundus,andrepurposingouruniquebestspaces,IbelieveKnoxcanpositionitselftosurviveandthriveinthecomingdecadesanddemonstrateawayforwardforothercongregations.

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