Craig Morton [Friends House Network] mixes beer, cookies, church and real life.
[06.04]

Hi, welcome to our virtual coffee shop. Pull up a chair, take the load of your feet. Let's chat.

So who are you, where you from, what do you do in life?
I am Craig Morton, Meridian Idaho, pastor of Friends House Network. I breathe, rest, enjoy my family, and exercise. To earn a living, a mediator and church consultant and an “emergent church collaborator. I used to simply say, “church planter.” That’s too trite.

Can I get you a drink? Cappucino, earl grey, dandelion and burdock, pale ale?
How about some Dead Guy Ale.

Would you like a doughnut or pastry to go with that?
If you’ve got Oreos, they’re great with ale. Most people don't know that.

So, if you had to describe the church/project/experiment/thingy you are currently involved with in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
Creating safe and sacred places in the midst of busy lives where people and God all really meet each other.

Are you an instigator? / new recruit? / have absolutely no recollection of how you got involved?
I am a recruiter.

What do you value most about being part of it?
I know people who don’t know Jesus, and don’t want to know church as they have understood it.

What excites you most about it?
Not having the slightest idea of what I am doing. It’s all new. God is full of surprises!

Has anyone ever turned up out of the blue not knowing what to expect?
What did they say?
They asked if I could come out to play.

Three words that describe your attitude to 'being church' in the big wide world: Covert, radical, friendship

Three words that DON'T:
Pulpit, pews, staff meetings.

You have this weird dream - you meet Jesus face to face.
Where does it happen, what does he say to you?
“When we were on the beach, why didn’t you play volleyball with me?” Jesus said. I responded, “Lord, was that you? You played worse than I do.” He grinned, put his arm around me and asked where he could learn to serve better. I told him, “My wife is great.” We laughed and watched the sun set and the waves rolled in.

What's the big secret you're itching to share with everyone?
Jesus is really much more that you think he is, and he loves you a lot!

What would your 'emerging church survival kit' contain?
Bread, wine, a towel, and a bible.

Anything else you'd like to share with us before you have to rush off?
It was good to have someone else to talk to about this emergent stuff, its kind of lonely out there.

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