“At The Circle, a young, innovative church which meets in a renovated bus depot, there is no pulpit, platform or pastor, as such. The congregation rejects the labels “Christian” and “congregation,” preferring “followers of Jesus” and “friendship community.”
There are no ushers, but rather “helpers.”
There is no worship team, but rather “God artists.”
And woe to anyone who affixes traditional church labels to any of it.
“God’s doing a new thing here,” says Mitch Townsend, the leader of the church. He shuns the “pastor” label and insists people call him, “Hey, man,” or simply “Dude.” If someone slips and calls him “pastor,” he bristles and gently rebukes them.
“We got rid of all those old labels,” he says. “There’s no going back.”
At the church office, which they never call a church office but rather “the Hub,” secretaries, or “community action facilitators” as they are called here, tap-tap on computers (which they still call computers) and take calls.
When a visitor slips up and refers to The Circle’s “sanctuary,” Dude Townsend cuts him short.
“Listen, it’s not a sanctuary, it’s a meeting place, a gathering place,” he says, flushing red.
“Sorry, pastor,” the visitor says.
“Not pastor,” says Townsend. “Dude, or friend. Or just hey, Mitch.”
“Sorry, Dude Mitch,” the visitor says uncomfortably, and slinks away. Mitch quickly goes to him and hugs him.
“We’re all about love and freedom here,” he says. “I know it’s hard to get used to.””
