At first they met in public parks, each other's homes and Bars.
There were no Churches ... just people who believed God was with them and they need one another.
Initially no one cared but as they grew in number and voice, their meetings were outlawed, on occasion punishable by death.
It'd take 300 years before they were finally sanctioned by the Government and could meet freely.
How things went afterwards depends on your point of view.
Churches are built in grand specter, a welcoming people grow less tolerant, creeds and rules are written, their Savior is sanitized for better consumption and they even declare wars on each other when they're not waging it against those who believe differently from them.
It's why I like Bar Church.
It hearkens back to how it all began ... as handfuls collected to sing praises, pray and encourage each other.
There were baptisms and a supper to remember their Lord.
Nothing else was really necessary.
Honestly, nothing else really is.
We gather to make a Church without walls.
We sing lots of songs.
We share food remembering the Lord.
Baptisms are in the Ocean.
The words are encouraging, mostly focusing on God's special made gifts ... this day you have ... forgiveness begins with yourself because God's already offered ... and we try to laugh.
There's a bucket people can tip or tithe in, a simple sign proclaiming to those outside the Bar who we are and more smiling faces after a service than before.
It's disorganized religion.
Those first years 300 ago, the Church changed the world for the better.
After that, it's hard to tell.
At Bar Church we've reclaimed the roots of what it really is to "be Church" ... rather than go to one.
______________
Micheal performs weddings for those wishing a minister! It's not for every body but for those who believe in celebrating love in the grand Cathedrals with sand for a floor, the Ocean as background under the deep blue canopy God put in place long before any building was constructed for worship!
_____________
Tybee Church ministers to those traditional churches can't reach and to continue doing it we are conducting a campaign to raise $10,000 to cover one year's cost. We're over 1/3 of the way there! If you've been helped by Bar Church, are blessed keeping up with us daily on Face Book or want to help Church without walls, you can at
Tybee Church
P.O. Box 1511
Tybee Island, GA 31328
or click https://www.gofundme.com/tybeebarchurch
______________
THIS SUNDAY AT BAR CHURCH ... we inch closer. Monty Parks returns. Eric Johnson bringing music with his daughter, a wad of family and biscuits! Tommy Hall's either bringing an electric Fender or a Fiddle. Gordon Hill brings a suitcase full of Harmonicas. Sam Sahr has a devotion and a Joke. Lord hasn't said squat to Micheal yet about anything else.
10nish at Benny's on Tybee Island.
