There once was a small, young church called Heartland.  The church lived in a city of churches that were, for the most part, much bigger and much older.  Sometimes the congregation of Heartland wondered if they were ever going to be a “big” church.  After all, Heartland was different – really quite different.

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fitzgerald

For one thing, Heartland believed in “non-violent” evangelism.  Remember Paul at the Areopogus when he wanted to confront the Athenians about their idols?  He found common ground with them and took the time to understand their philosophy.  He listened to them and spoke in a way they could understand.  That’s the kind of evangelism that Heartland felt called to pursue.

"Each person has his own music bubbling up inside him.” – Louis Armstrong

In a world of crying needs, Heartland wondered how and where it should serve according to God’s justice?  So the congregation followed their hearts, and service at Heartland took many forms.  Taking care of the needs of the parish – through tragedies and illness as well as joy and celebration – was a hallmark of the church. And, their hearts also led them to a sister parish in El Salvador, that has given Heartland more love and joy than could have been imagined.  Their hearts also found the Hansen House of Hospitality, where the redeeming power of love is at work everyday.  And their mission grew and grew.

“Love is indescribable and unconditional. I could tell you a thousand things that it is not, but not one that it is. Either you have it or you haven’t – there’s no proof of it.” – Duke Ellington

There were more things about Heartland that were different.  Heartland wasn’t content to simply follow the big churches when it came to worship.  “Contemporary” worship seemed laudable, but it lacked a prophetic voice.  So Heartland found many ways to worship God that were creative and inclusive.  Shouldn’t our music convey all emotions from ecstatic joy to desperate sorrow, they asked?  After all, God wants to hear the supplications of our hearts – all of them.  Heartland found jazz provided a language of genuine emotion and engagement with God.  So, the congregation embraced jazz in worship.

“Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.”
– Charles Mingus

But there was even more.  The creativity didn’t stop in the sanctuary.  The gifted teachers of Heartland gave unstintingly of their time and talent to provide unique and powerful learning for all ages.  The children, youth and adults learned a lot and all felt like a true part of the church.  So the children would lead worship and sponsor their own events from time to time.  Imagine that.  The children leading the adults, just as Jesus told the apostles, “you must become like a child.”

“A great teacher is one who realizes that he or she is also a student whose goal is not to dictate the answers, but to stimulate the students’ creativity enough so that they go out and find the answers themselves.” – Herbie Hancock

Everyone loves their church – as they should.  Churches bring us closer to God.  The Church in the world is a miracle – evidence of the Holy Spirit and the providence of Almighty God and Jesus Christ.  So, Heartland celebrated the successes of all churches, as well as synagogues, mosques and other places of worship in its city of churches and elsewhere.  But, Heartland never lost that wonderful, prophetic and authentic voice of its own.  It was little in size, but great in the Spirit.  And little Heartland took its message to the world with joy and with love.

“Jazz is the big brother of Revolution. Revolution follows it around.”
– Miles Davis

Written by Russ Lemken, 2005