It began a number of years ago, when John and his family attended a new church plant in Chicago; an offshoot from the home church in Oak Park. Their gatherings were a bit unconventional by “church” standards, but so were the attendees, John among them. When the “experiment” was ended, many chose not to return to the home church; its style and structure no longer met their needs.
As a member of a musical community in the West Chicago area, John knew there was a desire for deep spiritual conversation and exploration among his friends and fellow musicians that wasn’t being fed through existing gatherings. On a trip to Ireland, John received what he calls a “Memo from the Head Office,” which eventually coalesced into the Sunday Family Dinner plan.
With his friend and business partner, Perry Marshall, he created a unique space for people to explore and discuss spirituality – and connected topics – unrestricted by the confines of formal religious practices. Once a month, on a Sunday evening, they invite a small group of people to join them at a friend’s bar for dinner, drinks, and music. John speaks for 15-20 minutes on a topic he’s been contemplating, and meaningful conversation unfolds.
The theme is aligned with James 1:27, which tells us to “take care of widows and orphans.” For John, this raises some interesting questions, like: How do we decide where we come down on protecting the system versus taking care of those most at risk? Where is the line between government responsibility and personal responsibility? How do I move into this kind of time (this episode was recorded in the middle of COVID lockdown) … is it time to work on our lives, relationships, health…?
No one of us is unidimensional. We are multidimensional, multitalented, creative, and complex. John Fancher is one of those people whose multi-facets are on display and quickly recognized. He’s a poet, a thoughtful reader, a contemplator of the meaning of life, a seeker of purpose and truth, a rock-star guitar player, a part-time pastor, husband, father, friend, and marketing consultant. The combination of all these things (and so many more that I haven’t experienced yet…) made it clear to me, a meaningful conversation with John would be a journey of unexpected twists and turns, insight, deep thought, and fun – and it was!
John’s Bio
John is a writer and marketing consultant who works closely with his good friend and renowned business consultant, Perry Marshall. John is a part-time rock star and part-time pastor of a church-but-not-a-church that meets in a bar/art gallery. John loves to travel, especially to Ireland, which is his adopted Fatherland. He has three grown children and lives with is his wife, Jay, in the most rocking suburb of Chicago, Berwyn, IL.
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