I was reading
last week and noticed it mentioned a couple of missional communities in Pittsburgh, PA. My wife and I were going to be in Pittsburgh the following week to pick up my Christmas present. It was an order from Recreational Equipment Inc. - some men love Home Depot; I love 
so we decided to check them out. Our first stop was at In The Blood, a tattoo parlor in an eclectic part of the city. We were privileged to meet Justun, the owner, who had begun to work at the tattoo parlor when it was owned by a woman that practiced dominatrix. At one point they asked her if they could use the place for a Bible Study on Monday nights. Remarkably, she agreed and an incarnational ministry began. Later Justun was able to buy the place from her and now it is a business with an incarnational approach to connecting lost people with God. The basement that once witnessed evil now hosts works of God.
Not far down the road we found Hot Metal Bridge, a faith community born out of a kingdom mindset. We met Justin Keough and Jim Walker, one of the pastors who explained the church began as a partnership of two different denominations and exists to make a difference in their local community. They purchased a bar that they have converted for services and several people from the church rent the rooms above as living space. A major part of their weekend gatherings is when everyone from the homeless to those with six-figure incomes enjoy a communion meal together. The meal affords the time for the kind of genuine fellowship and celebration that creates community.
I was excited to experience these places and talk with people who are making a difference for Christ in neglected places. There is a significant percentage who will not be reached by the traditional expression of the church. We need more missional communities located where they serve people in love and engage people in conversation about the Lord. What does an incarnational expression look like in your world?
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