We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Schulte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

The vision for the Collective was birthed out of my own experience trying to find a church home in my early twenties. I was fresh out of college and living in a new city. I was longing to find a community like the community I had back home, and I thought church would be the perfect place to find people my age.

However, I found, when I was looking for churches, that I was left with two not-so-great options. I could attend a traditional Lutheran or Methodist or Presbyterian congregation which had values which aligned with my faith, but I would often be the only person in that congregation in my early twenties.

Or, I could attend a non-denominational church with modern music and robust small groups and so many people my age. However, these communities’ teachings forced me to check my values at the door. They did not ordain women. They were unwelcoming to queer people. They had long lists of written and unwritten rules that one had to follow to be considered a “good Christian,” but they had young people so more often than not I went to church here.

The Collective seeks to bridge the gap, to exist beyond the binary, to be a church where young people can form community together without checking their values at the door. We seek to borrow structures from non-denominational churches without compromising our theology of welcome. We dare to believe that our community can be both compelling and modern and relevant to new generations and committed to historic Lutheran theology. We dare to believe a church can be progressive and inclusive.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Collective is a church without walls seeking to offer a compelling vision of love and belonging to new generations especially those who have been hurt by the church or who have become disillusioned with organized religion. We are a church which radically affirms the humanity and personhood of all people–no fine print!

We also believe that church can be different. We believe church can be a place where people of all identities can come just as they are to experience the radical love of God. We believe that church can be a force for good in our city by partnering with organizations which seek to dismantle systemic and structural injustice. We believe that church can be a place of liberation–liberation here and liberation now.

Our community is centered on four values–love, solidarity, abundance, and storytelling. We love recklessly and believe that Jesus redeems even the most messy parts of our lives. We stand in solidarity with our vulnerable neighbors, accompanying them and asking them how we can best help them thrive. We also reject scarcity and believe, as Wendell Berry writes, that “what we need is here.” Finally, we boldly tell our stories in hopes to offer a progressive counter vision to dominant Christian voices who preach hate and exclusion.

Overall, the Collective hope to be a welcoming space where all people experience genuine belonging. That is why we began our ministry centered on StoryGroups. These groups are small groups where people can make new connections with people in our city committed to love and justice. They are spaces to laugh, to cry, and to engage in vulnerable conversation. They are spaces where no one belongs more than you! If you are interested in learning more about our faith community, we would love to speak with you. You can contact us at info@CollectiveATL.org or visit our website, CollectiveATL.org.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I just moved to Atlanta in July and am still learning my favorite spots around the city. However, I would definitely take my friends to Little Five Points. It is an incredible area to spend the day walking around and exploring local businesses. I am a big fan of thrifting at Rag-O-Rama and love the vibe at Euclid Avenue Yacht Club. I would also recommend Atlanta Breakfast Club for some of the best french toast in Atlanta and a trip to the Georgia Aquarium afterwards.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to shoutout my Bishop, the Rev. Kevin Strickland. Bishop Strickland first listened to my idea for a new church in 2019, and he never said no. When it came time for me to begin my first job as a pastor, the Bishop found funding to ensure I could make this vision a reality. I would not be able to do this work without his support and without his belief in me in my pastor and his belief in the vision of the Collective.

Website: TheCollectiveATL.org

Instagram: @yeahthatcollectiveatl

Facebook: Facebook.com/yeahthatcollectiveatl

Other: Email Address: info@CollectiveATL.org

Image Credits
The first image is credited to Rei Haycraft. Other images are not professional photographs.

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