A few months ago we started an exciting project, and we have called it the Openhouse. It’s not a church, of course, it’s not a Bible study group or anything like what we know, it’s simply a new experience to connect with God in the cinema.
In the search for a relevant space to connect with God, on the recommendation of a good friend, we came across North Point, www.northpoint.org, a church for people who don’t go to churches, and whose experience made me want to move to Atlanta, or do my best to import some of the much they have there. Founded by Andy Stanley, this organization inspired and encouraged us to take their resources, videos and messages, put them in a movie theater and share them openly.
Then we met Erwin McManus, who leads Mosaic, www.mosaic.org, who in turn inspired us to take art, music, poetry, painting, acting and all that it expresses, and integrate it into relevant, current, Christ-centric, yet fresh, current, current, current and personal messages.
Thus, we add learning among a group of friends, the experiences of each one in traditional churches, what we learned from Rob Bell, Willow Creek, Rick Warren and so many more, we focus on creating a different experience and we open the Openhouse, to connect with God on a screen. I invite you to always check out the current series of talks at www.openhouse.cr, as well as the series to come, some additional references, background information, values and purpose.
In this way a different proposal has been born in Artecine Lindora, a special proposal for those who are looking for, are starting or returning, and that especially seems to have it all. It is an open space for Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, non-believers, doubters, skeptics or committed, and because of its format, it is perfect for those who do not like churches. The Openhouse is ideal for guests, as a lobby or entry point, with the permanent invitation for everyone to find their own church or study to grow. In our way of understanding our experience is for everyone, as a legitimate Openhouse, and for this reason, I clarify, it is also gay friendly. In fact, from my gay friends who have attended, I have only received very positive comments about the experience, which never fails to focus on the Bible as a source and resource to know the text message that God left us to know his word.
Jesus must have been spectacularly special, because sinful people were always close to him, especially the most sinful. At the same time, while they liked to be close to Jesus, it is clear that he came for everyone and chose to approach those who were farthest from a relationship with his Father. And from what we find in the Scriptures, they had a good time, they established a loving relationship, there was forgiveness, embrace and healing. It is not surprising that at the time, Jesus chose a tax collector, Matthew, and extended the invitation to him with a “Follow me”, extended to all of us today as well.
