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Recently, I traveled to Denver Presbytery to meet with leaders of new worshiping communities and presbytery executives about the impact of the 1001 Movement and its ethos of innovation, experimentation and evangelism. What I found was a lot of excitement and energy around eliminating the barriers for people to hear the Good News and to experience belonging through God’s love. According to the Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper, the executive presbyter, the stories of these ministries have renewed what many understood as possible. |
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One value that the 1001 Movement lifts up is the power of meaningful storytelling. Where and how our communities meet looks very different, but the search for meaning and the sharing of stories that speak to our need for healing cross into many terrains.
“People are looking for meaning in their lives,” said Nathan Heimer, who has found more success opening up deep conversations on a paddleboard, in a yoga class or in a coffee shop, which is why he and his wife, Mindy, have started a paddleboard ministry in Colorado rather than waiting for people who have grown up in secular households or who have been hurt by the church to walk through a sanctuary door looking for a good sermon. They see themselves as a bridge between nature-lovers and communities that seek to be God’s love in the world.
During the pandemic, the Rev. Bethany Peerbolte, acted on a similar impulse when she started a TikTok ministry to present a more accepting Gospel and speak to the negative views of Christians.
Short videos led to small groups and pastoral care contacts aimed to heal people who may be emotionally hurt by or even geographically distant from church. She likened what she does to “spiritual triage.” Last Easter, 11 families she met online tried out a local church for worship.
Jesus healed with stories, but he didn’t wait for people to find him in a sanctuary so he could tell them what God’s love was like. He went out on the water with them or hung with the masses on the shore. He found a platform elevated enough for more people to hear they were blessed.
Setting is important to any story, which is why the 1001 Movement doesn’t want to overlook any context where people might hear the Gospel and gather as God’s beloveds. |
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Nikki Collins, Director |
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A Stoked Life |
After hearing over and over, “I find God in the mountains,” Mindy and Nathan said, “Why don’t we go to them?” Watch the video to find out more about how they answered God’s call to minister to those who love the outdoors by opening a paddleboard shop and hosting holy yoga classes. |
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The TikTok Pastor |
The Rev. Bethany Peerbolte pastors a completely digital community, “Our Tapestry,” to open up a more accepting conversation and more open and affirming online community around what it means to be loved by God. Watch the video to learn more about how her attempts to reach youth during the pandemic turned her into the “TikTok pastor.” |
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New Series on Technology and Innovation |
The “New Way” podcast debuted the first two episodes of a series interviewing innovators in the realm of online church and new uses of technology for ministry. Read about the series and follow the “New Way” podcast for upcoming episodes. |
Church Offers a Safe Harbor |
Before the pandemic, Jon Mathieu founded Harbor Online, a church that met only online and welcomed members from three different countries to its participatory worship services and into its private social networking platform. This summer, they met for their first in-person retreat. Listen or subscribe to the “New Way” podcast to hear more about how this online ministry has evolved and the healing space it creates across time zones.
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Matthew 25 Summit — Jan. 16–18, 2024, in Atlanta |
Join us at the Matthew 25 Summit as we explore this vision together! What does it mean to eradicate poverty; how can we begin dismantling systemic racism; how will we know if we are building a vital congregation? We are offering you an invitation to innovation. A chance to dialogue, learn with and grow with others in exploration at this first-of-its-kind event! Featuring innovative speakers, thriving ministries, transformative workshops and space to imagine what’s next! |
Presbyterian Mission Agency, 100 Witherspoon Street, Lousiville, KY |
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