Postcard from a Tribal Gathering

A few of Zac's Place Tribal Gathering Regulars

The Guardian have been requesting pictures of church congregations for a photo collection - here's one that was submitted by Liz one of our regulars, of a few of us at a Tues night at Zac's Place.

Additional Tribal Gatherings At Zac's Place

Deliberately different to most 'church' gatherings, but in a similar vein to our long running Tuesday night Tribal Gatherings, Zac's Place - A Church For Ragamuffins, will also provide opportunity for Jesus followers to gather, to share stories, prayers, readings, songs, art and struggles in a unique environment on the first Sunday of each month from 3rd Feb.

It will be similar, in as much that group participation is encouraged, (but not compulsory) and a little more structure to Tuesdays  - but it's not about a couple of people entertaining a congregation, more about a corporate adventure rather than any heroic individual pursuit.  It continues to be about a community of people working out together what it is to live under the rule of Christ. So come along and feel free to bring something to the table - either to eat or to share in words, or just be in the company of like minded pilgrims and feed on the fellowship, conversation and honesty that marks our gatherings.

For this first gathering we'll be looking at what Jesus meant when he said; "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5 v 3) - using Bill Taylor- Beales painting based on the words, as inspiration.
Psalm 31 will also feature - so have a read of it, at this link first and see what it stirs up.

Zac's Place - A Church For Ragamuffins

Sunday 3 Feb and each first Sunday of the month, from 4pm 

Tuesday Night Tribal Gatherings continue each week from 7.30pm

Map:

Zac's Place, George Street, Swansea, SA1 4HH.

Never Stop Asking The Questions

When Zac's Place began 14 years ago, we called it, 'Zac's Place - Church In A Pub?' The question mark was always very important, as we really didn't know what, if anything, it would develop into. In many ways, although we are now 'Zac's Place - A Church For Ragamuffins', it remains important to ask the questions - What is Church and are we fulfilling the mandate that we find in the Scriptures?

In the current series of studies and discussions at our Tuesday evening Tribal Gatherings, we are looking at those issues. I often ask three questions of any church activity to ascertain whether it fulfills a role or whether it's just something we do because that's what we've always done. They are all based on relationship - how does what we do affect our relationship, (and therefore connection, view, understanding etc) with a) God b) each other and c) the wider community we serve. If we struggle to answer at least one of those positively for any endeavor as 'church', we really did ought to be asking ourselves, 'what are we doing it all for then?'

This week, we also welcomed Roy Jenkins from BBC Radio Wales to join with us. You can catch an interview with me and various  sound bites from our time together on his 'All Things Considered' Programme on BBC Radio Wales this Sunday, 30 Sep at 9am and it will be available on iPlayer afterwards and on their Podcast.


UPDATE:
Listen to this interview here:

JOHN SMITH AT ZAC'S PLACE

Tomorrow, Tues 24 Aug, sees the return of Aussie John Smith to Zac's Place. Very much a tribal elder of our community of faith, he will continue to stir the pot, challenge and encourage all who hear him........

Tues 24 Aug, from 7.30pm
Zac's Place, George Street, Swansea, SA1 4HH.