We’re not trying to define what faith should feel like or tell people what faith should look like. We just believe in the value of faith and what it can mean and do for individuals, for our society and for that matter, our nation.

When asked to describe the Community Church of Lake Forest & Lake Bluff, a friend once said, “Let’s just say…It’s not your Mama’s church.”

My friend was probably right. We use existing community spaces for worship, and each summer hold all our services on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. We manage to get things done like start a charity that’s raised over $1.5 million for needy Ugandan children, yet we have no formal membership process, committees, or bureaucracy. (Maybe that’s why we get things done!) There’s no church choir, but we do have our own Ukulele School. Somehow, we’ve blossomed from a crazy idea 17 years ago to being the spiritual home to some 250 families.

What’s going on?

What’s going on began when I realized after serving two traditional churches following seminary that I was a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Most churches seemed so focused on perpetuating the past that they paid little attention to the present. So, in the autumn of 1999 I raided my piggy bank and rented the local college Chapel on Saturday afternoons. I wanted to provide a place to worship for people who did not connect with traditional churches or religion. I hoped some would be inspired to reconsider faith.

That was 17 years ago. Today, I feel incredibly blessed. Each Sunday our services find every flavor of protestant, as well as many Catholics, Jews, and folks from other traditions worshiping together. Plenty are “spiritual but not religious.” During our beach worship on the shores of Lake Michigan – where some paddle and sail to our services – we have “Blues on the Beach” Sundays and walk on water contests for the kids.

What’s most unique about us is that while rooted in Christianity, unlike other churches we don’t promote a singular model of faith. As a church, we have two primary jobs – to inspire, and to partner. And as an online community ReFaith seeks to do the same thing – to be a partner that provides inspiration for individuals and church leaders to take a second look at faith.

By creating ReFaith, I aspire to connect with a community that resembles the open-minded nature we’ve come to cherish at our church. If you are ever in the Chicago area, come see us. While we may not be your Mama’s church, we’re confident you’ll be enthusiastic about experiencing the ways God is at work.

– Tom Dickelman, Founder of ReFaith