At the Edge of Adventure

Years ago, I found myself on a journey that changed the way I think about faith and community. In my church in Marietta, Georgia, I joined a small group study based on the book The Edge of Adventure: An Experiment in Faith by Keith Miller and Bruce Larsen. The challenge was simple, yet profound: for thirteen weeks, we were invited to live as if what we believed as Christians was true—really true—and to let the example of Jesus guide our daily lives. Not just in theory, not just in Sunday worship, but every day, in every moment.

The book’s story, recounted on Keith Miller’s website, paints a vivid picture: two men, strangers at first, set out to discover what happens when you genuinely try to live like Jesus. They wrestled with what it meant to be husbands, fathers, church members, and employees, all while facing their fears and struggles. Eventually, their paths crossed at a conference. The discovery that they’d been on the same journey was electrifying, forging a lifelong friendship and a shared adventure. They realized others might crave this experience, so together with Bruce’s wife, Hazel, they created study materials for small groups—inviting people to live their faith intentionally for thirteen weeks. They called it The Edge of Adventure, and indeed, it was an adventure.

Those thirteen weeks remain vivid in my memory. Our group grew close in ways I’d never experienced before. We shared honestly—our joys, our sorrows—and prayed together, sometimes stumbling over words but always lifting each other up.

It was real, it was honest, and it was transformative. It felt, truly, like an adventure in faith.

This week, I was reminded of that time while attending a coaching conference for the Synod’s Vision to Action grant program with a fellow member of the church. Redeemer recently received a $5,000 grant to launch four “Beer & Hymns” events this year—an effort that’s both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. We’re working hard to put together something meaningful, and you’ll hear more about it soon. But at its core, this program is a leap of faith. We don’t know who we’ll meet, what stories they’ll bring, or exactly how the Spirit will move through the evenings ahead.

Like that small group study, it’s an adventure—one that asks us to step beyond what’s familiar and trust that God is leading us.

Our hope with these events is to reach adults in west Bradenton who, for whatever reason, no longer attend church—people who once loved singing hymns and felt a sense of belonging, but are now searching for connection. The beer—and plenty of non-alcoholic “sudsy” drinks—are just the sparkle to draw attention. But the real invitation is to experience community, joy, and the sacred in unexpected places. We want to offer a space where people can feel safe, curious, and seen.

The idea of “third spaces” was highlighted by Pastor Shannon Kiser of Fresh Expressions at the conference. She explained that our lives are shaped by different spaces: our homes are “first spaces”—most personal, most familiar. Our workplaces or volunteer sites are “second spaces.” “Third spaces” are neutral—parks, coffee shops, beaches—places where people naturally gather. Churches, she noted, are often seen as “first” or “second” spaces for their members, but rarely as neutral territory for outsiders.

This means unchurched newcomers aren’t likely to just wander in; instead, we’re called to meet them where they already are.

Pastor Kiser shared a story from her own life: when she moved into her neighborhood, she wanted to build community but realized no one would knock on her door uninvited. So she extended her front stoop and set up a patio with chairs and a table, where she sat and greeted neighbors as they passed by. The patio became a hub for connection—a “third space” where relationships could blossom naturally.

Similarly, another Florida pastor told how her congregation decided to close their church building once a month and hold worship in the community—in parks, on the beach, or at local coffee shops. By taking church outside their walls, faith came alive. They met new people, listened to new stories, and discovered God already present in the world around them.

Today’s readings echo these themes. In Isaiah, the servant is called not just to restore Israel, but to be a light to all nations—sharing God’s victory to the ends of the earth. Psalm 40 reminds us that God doesn’t desire empty rituals, but a heart devoted to doing God’s will: “I love to do your will, O my God.” Jesus himself was never confined to a building; he was always moving, meeting people where they were, asking, “What are you looking for?” And often, people couldn’t quite answer—they just knew Jesus had something they needed.

As theologian Bruce Epperly writes, “God’s vision for us is always larger than our vision for ourselves.” In John’s Gospel, the question “What are you looking for?” leads the disciples to discover gifts beyond belief, adventure beyond imagination, and companionship with God’s Beloved Child.

They encounter Jesus, and in that meeting, their lives are changed. They become witnesses, sharing the good news and inviting others into the journey.

So, what are our neighbors looking for? Most wouldn’t say they’re searching for a place to worship. But they’re longing for love, friendship, a sense of belonging, and genuine community. What we’re really called to do is simple, but profound: to love them. To show up in the places where people gather, to listen deeply, and to offer kindness and acceptance.

Our “Beer & Hymns” events and our Senior Friendship Days are experiments in living as if what we believe is true. They are invitations to adventure—ones that will take work, courage, and prayer. We don’t know the outcome. But we do know that when we dare to step out, to love boldly, and to open ourselves to others, God moves in ways we can’t predict.

May we live this week as if it were true—as if our faith really can reshape our lives and our community. May God give us the courage to step out on the edge of adventure, trusting that the Spirit will guide us, and that love is always the biggest thing we can offer. Amen.