Bobby Vaughn ['Tapestry', Grand Junction, CO USA] has just enough time to share a vision.
[05.05]

Hi, welcome to our virtual coffee shop. Pull up a chair, take the load of your feet. Let's chat.
My name is Bobby Vaughn from Grand Junction, CO USA and I am the Minister of Missions for Bookcliff Baptist here in town.

Can I get you a drink? Cappucino, earl grey, dandelion and burdock, pale ale?
A Caramel mochiato with 2%, no foam… please.

Would you like a doughnut or pastry to go with that?
No thanks don’t have that kind of time…

So, if you had to describe the church/project/experiment/thingy you are currently involved with in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
I am currently working on a church plant which I like to call “Tapestry”. I am currently going through the ‘feasibility’ stage (you know, is anyone interested in this stage). The Grand Valley (where I live) is about 115,000 people who is made-up primarily of retired ‘folk’. We are, however, one of the fastest growing cities in Colorado (mostly Californians moving east).

My vision for Tapestry is that we will be:

• Mission is why the Church exists
• Love is the context for all mission
• Structure must always submit to Spirit
• Relevance to culture is not optional
• Creativity is the natural result of spirituality

Are you an instigator? / new recruit? / have absolutely no recollection of how you got involved?
I was raised by a very missional father who was a Pastor. I really don’t know how I got to bee the way I am. I guess it’s just a part of my nature to be this way… you know, a rebel to the norm.

What do you value most about being part of it?
That I can be me (not a “Christian Clone”).

What excites you most about it?
My creativity can be explored and expanded. Even though there are those who try to tell me that I must conform to the way THEY are, I know who I am in Christ and that it is Him who gives me my creativity.

Has anyone ever turned up out of the blue not knowing what to expect?
What did they say?
Since we really don’t exist yet, I’d have to say no.

Three words that describe your attitude to 'being church' in the big wide world: Missional, Loving, Creative

Three words that DON'T:
Normal, Traditional, Conforming.

You have this weird dream - you meet Jesus face to face.
Where does it happen, what does he say to you?
Once It happens at a biker rally (Sturgis) and He says, “I died for those like this.” Once it happens at a coffee shop and He says, “I died for those like this.” Once it happens at a Church and He says, “I died for those like this.” You get the picture…

What's the big secret you're itching to share with everyone?
Religious people have always been a problem for God!

What would your 'emerging church survival kit' contain?
Two books, “An Unstoppable Force” and “The Barbarian Way” both by Erwin Raphael McManus A Laptop Computer (who knows when and where Church might happen!) A Bible – An absolute MUST HAVE An Ipod – It’s the only instrument I can play

Anything else you'd like to share with us before you have to rush off?
Pray that we can turn the “Christian world” on it’s ear! It’s time for a new reformation! Christ is the most important thing… not “Church”.

Thanks. Good to see you, have a good day!