Reflection on the Street Carnival

Our outreach at the Mardi Gras/ Street Carnival on Thursday night was exceptional.

So nobody asked "How can I be saved?".

But we were there. The church was there reminding people that in the midst of the pagan festivities, the saturnalia, the worship of Mammon, there was a real reason for the events we celebrate.

All we had was our wooden cut-out manger scene (the figures are nearly life-size), with some real hay and beside it some items for sale from our bookshop. What was really cool was that, at the instigation of some of our people, we asked to be located at the front of Richard Orr's shop, mainly because being a little bit away from the main noise makers we thought it would be better. Last Sunday when we were visiting the main street to plan some logistics we saw Kay Orr producing their window display which was just a silhouette of the town of Bethlehem with the words "O Little Town of Bethlehem" above it- the size and positioning provided a perfect backdrop for our nativity.

Sarah played a few carols on the flute when the awful karaoke wasn't running, and Sarah despite only starting to learn the flute this year was far better at that than any of the karaoke "singers."

We had opportunities to just talk to people as real human beings- and that was the best bit. It wasn't the pastors or the church people, it was Keith and Margaret talking to people in a comfortable setting (for them) and sharing the moment. Margaret's ministry with baby goods has certainly opened up many opportunities to relate.

Lots of people were appreciative of the reminder of Jesus at Christmas time. Some were scared and literally crossed the road to avoid it- including one well-known adult PK. Interesting reaction that one.

The absolute best bit came towards the end when a bunch of young people dressed up to the nines (well maybe the eights!) came and started taking photos of each other sitting with baby Jesus. Jokingly I said to them "Photos with baby Jesus cost $5 each" and one girl said "Baby Jesus has got to be worth a lot more than $5!"

How's that? Relaxed conversation with strangers about the value of Jesus to the world in a completely non-church setting! As they say on the Mastercard ads- Priceless.

This was an exploration of the territory for us. Now we know how it works, we are already thinking about what to do next time and how we can improve on it.

Every time we do this kind of event whether it's Nosh on the Namoi or Christmas or Dance in the Park I become more convinced that it's the way to go. The church needs to be in the community events when it's appropriate and when we can come in at a similar angle.

I was talking to a colleague today who has been diagnosed with some stress related illness which her doctor says she needs to slow down. The trouble is that she along with many pastors think that the way to grow the church is to attract dependent people with nice events, preach a simple message and have them "say the prayer" and then you run around like crazy keeping them happy and dependent on you and coming back for nice events.

That doesn't grow disciples and all it does is bury pastors. Her denomination which is built on the pastoral principle of "it's better to burn out than rust out" has a terrible record for burnt-put pastors.

You know I think I prefer our method of building christian community, in which everyone learns how to be a minister of the gospel in whatever way God calls them.