Formerly known as Christ Community Church, the recently renamed C3 Exchange in Spring Lake, Michigan, also removed a cross from its bell tower. This marked a transition from what, 20 years ago, was a Reformed Protestant congregation. Today, many who feel rejected by conservative Christianity---spiritual free thinkers of all types, Lesbians, Gays, Buddhists, and atheists---participate here. When Fox News did a report on their cross removal, C3’s story was framed in a typically accusatory manner: "Why do they find the cross alienating?" Subsequently, Pastor Ian Lawton received daily denouncements via e-mail. A variety of letters to the editor appeared in a local newspaper. Undaunted, Lawton led public dialogues calmly asserting his values.
From Australia, Lawton began a journey toward inclusive ministry during years at a conservative Anglican seminary in Sydney. Reading Calvin by day and liberation theology by night, Lawton ultimately embraced a non-dogmatic approach. His work with impoverished persons in Sydney resonated with ideas of a suffering God he gleaned from the works of post-World War I German theologians like Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Today, Bonhoeffer’s vision of religionless Christianity finds no more compelling expression than through Lawton and C3.(Audio-Lawton Interview 1) (Audio--Interview 2)
Their sermons embrace the kind of ecumenical, inter-faith perspective that has long been advanced by thinkers like Karen Armstrong and John Shelby Spong---friends of Lawton and C3. Experiencing the transcendent in daily life and zen mindfulness are now integral to their worship. To prevent confusion for those who drop in expecting a mainline, Protestant denomination, C3 decided to change names and remove the Christian cross. This was also intended to open their doors to more diverse perspectives.
But reflexive denunciations quickly followed. On June 27th, a Fox News Channel commentator opened his segment with disparaging questions: "Is the cross alienating? Would it alienate you? Well, one church in Michigan thinks so." The announcer starts his interview of Lawton suggesting that his other guest, Evangelical organizer David Wisen, disagrees with removing the cross. However, it turns out that Wisen, also from Spring Lake, instead agrees with removing the cross. As C3 Exchange is no longer a traditional Christian church, it is better not to confuse people. Fox (shockingly) leaves out a key piece of the story connecting Lawton and Wisen. Wisen’s International Aid organization is happily taking C3’s old cross hoping to display it on their campus. (Grand Haven Tribune) But this gesture of inter-faith amity has no place on Fox, of course. Rather, the Fox News commentator, as self-appointed theological arbiter "asks" (nay, accuses) "Is it a matter of diversity or perversity?"
Thu, Sep 2, 2010
The role of true Christians
To the Editor:
Is C3 Exchange and the people there better than Christians because they claim to be more inclusive? I cannot speak for all Christian denominations, but I believe I can answer that question for all true Christians. True Christians everywhere have always had an open invitation to all races and all adulterers, alcoholics, rapists, thieves, homosexuals, murderers, agnostics, atheists, Muslims, gossips, Jews, idol worshipers and sinners of all types to come to their assemblies....Christians also teach that we must turn away from our sins and turn to God (repent) in obedience because the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (by perversion), nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revelers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" (I Corinthians 6:9-10 NASB). That is why Christians invite all men everywhere to join us and repent....(Grand Haven Tribune)
Tue, Jul 6, 2010
Remaining true to God
To the Editor:
I attended the C3 Exchange discussion at the Community Center and I must say there was not much discussion. We were informed by Mr. Lawton that the decisions for the changes to the church and facility had already been made and we need not try to dispute their plans. He also very boldly spoke out that he is not religious or a Christian, but spiritual. My thought is: How did he ever end up in the Christ Community Church in the first place? This church has always been a good Christian church, with a good Christian congregation; what happened? I was at the meeting, but in no way am I a supporter of what has happened in that church. I attend one of the many Christian churches in our community, and we will remain true to God's Word as it was written. (Grand Haven Tribune)
Wed, July 21, 2010
Teachings of Christ ignored
To the Editor:
In reading Ian Lawton's column in last Friday's paper, I was left with my mouth agape and my heart troubled by the things I had just read. For a man who claims to be following the example of Jesus, he is strangely ignorant of the many ways he and C3 Exchange are ignoring and blatantly disregarding the teachings of Christ. As 1 Corinthians 5:12 teaches us, we have no place judging the people who are of the world, but as Christians we have the obligation to rebuke and judge those who claim to follow Christ if their conduct shows they have been led astray. And it is with a heart of love that I write this now as a call to Mr. Lawton and C3 to repent and return to the Lord.....The devil specializes in making people feel incredibly comfortable and secure all the way to hell. That is the immense danger of this attitude that ignores the truth of Christ as the only way to God.
(Grand Haven Tribune)
Finally, the Managing Editor, Len Painter, responded to a nasty letter personally on July 21st:
A few times in my career I've come across nasty, unsigned letters. It happened again on Tuesday. As you can guess, the letter was in reference to C3 Exchange, formerly known as Christ Community Church. The writer wrote:
"There are so many of us Christians in the (sic) Tri-City who are in shock and dismay at this so-called C3 Exchange Building in Spring Lake. How can you, The Grand Haven Tribune, support this ...? We hope you have the common decency to stop putting in articles written by him or we shall all leave your newspaper and go to another (sic) who has better things to write about. Shame on you!"
....I realize that what is happening at C3 Exchange is an emotional issue for traditional church-goers, but we all should be willing to accept different views. We're fortunate to have the freedoms that we enjoy. In some countries, those freedoms don't exist. It is the letter writer who should be ashamed.(Grand Haven Tribune)
In his July 25th Sermon, Lawton joked amiably with his C3 Exchange audience:
The love letters keep arriving, correspondence from evangelical Christians who seem very anxious about our community’s name change and cross removal. Some of them just can’t let it go. It’s not enough that we leave them alone to practice the faith of their choosing. It seems to be important that we also conform to their expectations. There are some common themes in the letters. Most of them mention "hell" and "anti Christ" and most of them accuse me of being "unbiblical". What does it mean to be biblical? Should I be walking around in sandals and toga? Should I be growing a long beard and speaking Aramaic? What does it mean? I guess they mean that they want me to conform to their preferred, albeit inconsistent, interpretation of the Bible. I have read so many of these letters recently that the word "unbiblical" has begun to blur and look like "umbilical". Every time I read an angry letter I replace the word "unbiblical" with "umbilical". It helps me not to take any of the judgment and hatred personally. It makes me smile every time.... "It’s just umbilical"; "Your beliefs are umbilical." From henceforth I shall be known as Umbilical Man. Once I smile, I can respond with love and compassion. Community---Being Part of Something Larger Than Yourself
Facing rounds of angry reactions, Lawton helped diffuse the issue simply by discussing his point of view calmly to anyone who would listen. He led two public forums in Grand Haven.
Fri, Jun 25, 2010
Little controversy at forum on C3 Exchange changes
The forum, which was attended by a supportive crowd of nearly 200 at the Grand Haven Community Center, began with Lawton giving a 35-minute talk where he tried to explain the church's new direction by explaining his own spiritual journey....Overall, Lawton said he was thrilled about the high turnout and hoped that the meeting helped to calm any fears about the church's new direction. "I hope that anyone who came here with any animosity or anxiety went home feeling reassured and confident in being themselves," Lawton said. "Because C3 is not about converting other people or changing anyone. It's about authenticity."(Grand Haven Tribune)
Religious discussion held at Grand Haven Community Center
Fri, Aug 27, 2010
Several hundred people turned out Thursday night for a forum on "Inclusiveness and the Meaning of Church" at the Grand Haven Community Center. The Grand Haven Tribune hosted the event in response to a multitude of letters and phone calls regarding Spring Lake's C3 Exchange. Thursday's 90-minute dialog was at times spirited, but panel and audience members remained respectful and dignified as they delved into difficult and diverse discussions about Jesus, God, the Bible and belief systems....Tribune Managing Editor Len Painter said he was pleased that people remained respectful and receptive during Thursday's event. "I was a little concerned about how the reaction would be to Ian, but I was pleasantly surprised," Painter said, adding that he hopes the forum helps put the community controversy to rest. "I think that was the whole point of this — to find out what they're all about and what they're doing. Everyone did a good job." Lawton said he wishes such open discussions could happen every week. "This is exactly what I was hoping for," Lawton said of the forum. "It was very civil. We just want everyone to know who we are. I think it's important because the more we understand each other, the less we feel the need to change each other."(Grand Haven Tribune)
Note: Some fundamentalist groups likewise refrain from displaying crosses. To their thinking, visual symbols detract from God's word. Removing a cross, in their eyes, is removing a ritualistic crutch that is at best a distraction. However, we are unlikely to see Fox News "expose" churches which genuinely believe that displaying a cross is a threat to salvation. After all, this might "alienate" some of their regular viewers. (See: Iconoclasm)