The typical suburban church is a now a much maligned entity.  The emergence of the emergents and the new cool crew of Christianity have caricatured the typical local church as an ‘institution’, one whose sell by date has long since expired and needs to be replaced by a new expression of ‘church’.  In its place are cool ventures accompanied by even cooler websites.

Meanwhile, back in the burbs, these little outdated institutionalised remnants of a bygone era continue to exist, and within their midst are an army of hidden radicals, who will never be immortalised on a website, a cool new book, or at a cool conference.

So here’s a start on a few radicals I know and their silent revolution.  I’ll post more and add to the list in coming days : [*real names have been changed]

#1 The Invisible Entrepreneurs

Jack and Jill got married.  They had 4 kids.  One kid when 4 years old had a medical emergency and had his brain starved of oxygen.  As a result he suffered permanent brain damage.  Despite this challenge and a further challenge of Jill suffering from a terminal illness, this couple have become holy entrpreneurs.  Jack bought a business he could operate from home, and once established their new life began.  Jack and Jill make themselves available for many forms of community service, including supporting the local high school chaplain.

They also built their own house and included a self contained flat in the plans.  For the last 20 years they have a had an intentional ministry to new married couples.  They offer newly-weds 2 years rent free in the flat so that they can save up for a deposit on a house.  Every single couple that have stayed there have been able to save and get ahead by getting onto the property ladder.

On top of all that they are dedicated to praying for people.  They cover many people and their situations in prayer, and generously support a number of people and causes.  They are not sexy, nor are they cool.  They don’t rate a mention in the compendium of new cool.  Who cares?  They are true radicals.  May God raise up more!