“Church,” as defined by present-day American Christianity, amounts to little more than theatre, whereby a performer, in the form of a preacher, delivers a carefully planned monologue, after other performers, in the form of a choir, have “ministered” to the “congregation” in song. Truth be told, the congregations of most churches are really just audiences, and the choir is really just talent. The “preacher,” in far too many cases, will have much to explain come Judgment Day, when he is made to give an accounting as to how he misled his sheep.

Fourth Witness is more of a Conversation than it is a planned “service.” We gather frequently, sometimes as often as nightly, around the dinner table, to dialog, encourage, challenge and respect each other’s individual walks to perfection.

We believe that the value of theology to Christianity is overrated. We believe that the seeker learns of God by spending time with Him. We stress a contemplative path, whereby the seeker is not “born again,” but rather is born again and again and again.

We’re reformed. We’re fundamental. We’re traditional. Experiential. We’re Shakers. We’re Quakers. We’re Baptists. We’re Trappists. We’re Friends. We’re with the Brethren. We’re addicts. We’re reverends. We’re insecure. We’re not so sure. We’re being cured. We’re not so pure. We’re Charismatic. We’re problematic. We’re Latter Rain. We feel your pain. We’re old fashioned. We’re progressive. We’re laid back. We’re aggressive. We’re a throwback to the fast track. We’re with the Jew - and He’s with you. We’re disciples. We’re students. We’re careless - and imprudent. We’re sinners. We’re winners. The air seems thinner. We’re at the dinner.

Where you’ve been and where you’re gonna be is not for us to see. What you did and what you’re gonna do is not what qualifies you. Is it true that we’re just what we perceive - or what we think we believe? We’re just trying to finish the float - and there’s room in the boat.