We Like Sheep - Wandering Astray

So for a while I have struggled with a short, clear, explanation of what a CRC is and why I think its so important. As we get in the cycle of recruiting new members, I wanted to take a stab at this from a different angle. Instead of trying to paint a representative picture of the flow, theology, structure, etc - simply ask why do I come? I am stealing this method from Constance, who's discussion of why she came a month ago was really helpful to me.

I come to the CRC because its a quiet place. Most of my world is busy, loud, and media saturated. The CRC has a slower pace with long periods of silence that help me reconnect to the deeper parts of me.

I come to the CRC because the discipline of a weekly, regular, ritual gives my life a sense of rhythm and regularity that is helpful for this low structure guy. The discipline of reading something each week, of sharing from my life, and of a common meal with the same friends week in and week out is a foundation I can build the rest of the week around.

I come to the CRC because its a safe space for honestly. Most contexts I am in have strong social pressures to lie, manipulate, and defend - the CRC has strong social pressures towards honesty and vulnerability. Its small size and the regularity of people that come every week for a whole quarter fosters an intimacy that makes honesty less risky.

I come to the CRC because its a place where I can tell about my doubts. The core theological agreement is that we never ask anyone to believe anything that contradicts their own experience. Because we value experience over systems or dogmas, the CRC has space for mystery and confusion. In the CRC I can dwell in the middle of a tension without having to resolve it one way or another.

I come to the CRC because it is deeply democratic. Each of the leadership roles rotates, plans for the next quarter are made after a consensus building process. So much of my life is dominated by heirarchy and my own desires for power and control. The CRC is a space where we flip authority from person to person and I am free to follow and encouraged to lead.

I come to the CRC because it is experimental and temporary. The CRC invites me to be creative, to try and do something new. Like a ballroom dancer, the form of the CRC gives just enough structure to make it easy to innovate and try new things. The CRC asks me to be an artist, and the CRC allows me witness other brilliant artists. More weeks then not I leave inspired by something someone brought or shared.

I come to the CRC because its a chance to talk deeply with good friends. I am not very good at spending time with friends, I quickly get occupied and forget about them. The sharing and meal during the CRC is a great chance to catch up and drink deeply from the nurture of relationship.

I come to the CRC because it challenges and undercuts some of the delusions in my life. The CRC asks that each member find ways to participate in social change and studies together how to do that effectively. The CRC asks that each member find a daily, solitary, contemplative practice and studies together on techniques to make that happen. The CRC asks each member to reflect on their life each week as we try to practice the return to reality in those scary parts of our life.

Well that was not very short, but I think it was clear and grounded writing. Folks that have been to CRC's does this ring true for you? If not why do/did you come? If you don't come to a CRC, is this something you would want to come to? Is it clear enough to give you an idea of what you might be getting into? Does it hide things that should be made explicit?