Take What You Need

The Three C's of BETWEEN

Have you ever come across one of these encouraging little homemade posters? 

Maybe it was stapled to a telephone poll or pinned up on a community bulletin board or taped to the fridge in the break room. 

“Take What You Need” it says in big cheerful font. And hanging from the bottom are tear-off slips of paper with words like “courage” and “strength” and “patience.”

I love stuff like this. Simple, playful, community building and culture creating projects. I don’t know if they change the world, but they put a smile on my face. And that’s something. 

I’ve been thinking about these little signs. The idea of inviting people to take what they need with no expectation of repayment or commitment. Take what you need. This is how I hope you encounter BETWEEN. 

Take what you need. 

Some people, sometimes, just need to engage with a faith community on a surface level. They just need to receive. That’s wonderful if you ask me. You are invited to be a CONSUMER of BETWEEN content and ministry whenever and however works for you. 

Take what you need. 

Some people, sometimes, want to gather. They want community and the energy of togetherness with other people. They want to join their voices in worship and join their hearts in prayer. You are invited to COMMUNE with BETWEEN through our groups and events and gatherings. 

Take what you need. 

Some people, sometimes, want to work with others to shape experiences and make collective measurable impact. You are invited to CO-CREATE BETWEEN along with us by serving in volunteer roles, on advisory boards, or by helping to create content or experiences for our audiences. 

Take what you need. 

Consume. Commune. Or Co-Create. Take what you need.

Abundance

As I invite people to consume, I’m aware that there are some folks out there railing against the consumer culture of the modern church. They’re complaining that people show up to be entertained, and then leave. Those are absolutely legitimate concerns. Faith spaces lose all meaning if they are only for surface-level entertainment and cheap injections of sugary spiritual feel-good moments without deeper connection or transformation.

But I believe folks need different aspects and expressions of faith communities at different points in their life (and in their personal spiritual journeys). A lot of folks (for a lot of reasons) don’t currently have the capacity for a commitment-heavy faith community. A lot of other folks already have (or used to have) one of those full-commitment communities and it leaves them wanting something else entirely. 

Part of the frustration with the consumer culture of today’s church, I believe, comes from empty pews, shrinking budgets, higher costs, and the fear that comes with a societal culture that no longer includes an obligatory relationship with a local place of worship. We are afraid of people being “just consumers of faith” because many churches need folks to be “members” to keep the lights on and the staff paid. I deeply empathize with that reality that is haunting too many big-hearted, overworked, burnt out clergy.

I’m always deeply moved by the story of Jesus choosing to feed the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-22). Jesus doesn’t worry or fret. He has an almost absurdly abundant perspective. When it seems to others like there won’t be enough loaves and fishes, Jesus simply instructs the disciples, “They do not need to go away, you give them something to eat.” 

Give them something to eat.

Let them take what they need. 

No requirements. No fear. No hesitation. No transactions. No negotiations. 

Take what you need. 

At BETWEEN, we don’t require oaths, commitments, memberships, tithes, dues, or statements of faith. You are simply and continually invited to take what you need. 

Belonging, Fellowship, Ownership

You belong here. 

We know people experience feelings of belonging and connection in different ways. We know that millions will know they belong at BETWEEN because they — like so many others — CONSUME and consider our messages shared through emails, social media posts, videos, podcasts, books, and other resources. You who consume our messages are all “BETWEENERS.” You all belong. People all over the globe share a sense of belonging and kinship in common with everyone else who encounters and enjoys all the publicly available messages BETWEEN produces. 

We are with you. 

We also know that when people have space to practice together, discuss together, wonder together, and support each other, powerful things happen. When we gather together, we matter to each other in profound ways. Our groups, gatherings, events, discussion spaces, in-person meet-ups, and COMMUNAL moments are available for people to get to know one another, expand their spiritual perspectives, challenge each other, mourn with each other, and pray for each other. Fellowship is a holy thing. The wonderful alchemy of souls joining together in shared spaces invites God’s presence in ways that defy explanation. When we are with each other, when we commune, the gift of fellowship is a holy one. 

This is yours. 

We know that BETWEEN is owned by all of us. The more people we have co-creating… the more folks who share a deep sense of ownership in the mission, vision, and values of BETWEEN… the more we will be able to make the impact on the world we all want to make. You (yes YOU) are invited into opportunities to feel belonging, fellowship, and ownership within BETWEEN. Take what you need. You belong here. We are with you. This is yours.

Impact

Sometimes it’s important to be clear about what you’re NOT trying to do. We are not trying to save souls. We are not trying to convert people. We are not asking for money. We are not claiming to know the answers. We are not trying to cajole or convince anyone of anything.

We are simply offering the transformational idea that the space between us is sacred.

We are clear about BETWEEN’s reason for being. One of the things that makes BETWEEN unique is our focused understanding of what is “in our lane” as a faith community: We have bulit our global, inclusive, innovative church at the intersection of FAITH (yours) and HUMAN CONNECTION.

The impact we are passionately making is… helping millions of people all over the world create more moments of sacred human connection in their daily lives.

When we do that — when we have empowered, prepared, and encouraged people to actively apply the best aspects of their own faith tradition to the space between themselves and the people in their lives — that is how we heal a lonely, disconnected, divided world.

As you egage with BETWEEN, please know that you are invited to take what you need.

If you simply need to consume the daily bread of our content… enjoy.

You belong here.

If you are seeking community and fellowship… we invite you to gether with us.

We are with you.

If you are looking to build, to serve, and to co-create BETWEEN alongside us… jump right in.

This is yours.