Ministry of Disarming Spaces
As an outdoor ministry and recreation professional, I’m frequently trying to articulate the unique ‘value add’ we provide for churches and organizations. When I think about nature-based or recreation environments, I believe they can be powerful in the ways they can help people feel disarmed as they step foot into the space. As shared in my previous ‘teams’ blog post, I was deeply impacted by some of the division, hostility, and violence I witnessed throughout my parents’ marriage and separation. There were times that heated conflicts in the household led to physical and emotional harm where we could only helplessly spectate as children. As tough as these experiences were, I can’t help but think it made me better at identifying or facilitating environments that seem to quickly de-escalate tension and help people let down their guards.
For me the environments that seemed effective at disarming people were typically found in nature or play based settings. Whether on family vacations, my neighborhood, or in school, I started to love being in spaces like playgrounds, hiking trails or sports games that seemed effective at helping people lower their guards and move towards connection, camaraderie, and unity. A culture that would have been beautiful to see cultivated in my mom and dad’s relationship.
I have learned in my theological journey of play how experiences in nature and play can help individuals (especially adults) into a child-like posture effectively and quickly. Don’t people feel disarmed when they are tossing a ball to another on a grass field together? There’s especially something so special and fun to be in environments that see and hear grown adults laugh, scream, and smile like children at the playground.
I’m not saying you can throw anybody into a local playground, baseball field, or hiking trail and assume they will immediately feel disarmed. However, I do feel like there is some kind of impact when surrounded by towering mountains that might help us feel ‘small’ around each other. Or engaging in activities that encourage appropriate yet close human contact (e.g. high fives) that can chip away at the walls we construct between ourselves and strangers. I should probably highlight the importance of food present in these spaces but I think others can articulate the power of eating better than I could. Nonetheless, I believe such disarming spaces can create incredible conditions for authentic human connection when not abused, whether people decide to build upon these relational opportunities or not.
In this current season, I believe a ministry of facilitating disarming spaces could only be supported, nurtured, and integrated well at a church like Citizens LA. I love the core values for Citizens Church and especially the ‘people first’ value that centers on humble curiosity that challenges the community towards becoming ‘disarming’ people. I regularly hear Pastor Jason preach something along the lines of how statements draw lines while questions draw people in.
As a church that strives to become a people who are more accepting, hospitable, and missional, I am so grateful to be part of this LA-based community personally and professionally. In the small or significant ways that I am called to help steward ministries, I hope I can continue to become someone that embodies the hospitality, grace, and love that Christ displays for anyone He encounters. As Citizens is especially so committed to being a place that is inviting and nurturing to church skeptics or those reconstructing their faith, I love when each Sunday worship or ministry space is designed to be disarming as it invites people into a loving relationship with Jesus.
I deeply resonate with this evangelist heartbeat and feel most alive in spaces that help people lower their guards or ‘armor’ (Pastor Jason sermon) towards deep, authentic, honest, and vulnerable conversations to share their stories, values, and core beliefs. As an outdoor ministry leader and wounded child who simply wanted to see his parents express more love to each other, I will always have a deep appreciation for outdoor, recreation-based, or missional spaces that can soften hearts into a more open, collaborative, and loving posture.
