I serve in a rather unique situation. Under special appointment by the Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church, I serve as minister-in-residence at the Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) in Knoxville, Tennessee. Daily, KARM offers emergency overnight shelter for the homeless and a recovery residential program for over 320 people.

That is not necessarily unique. It is powerful, yet not unique.

Part of my appointment charge is the establishment of a worshiping community – a new church – that is named The Carpenter's House. It maintains its identity and function as a program ministry of KARM, yet it is "nondenominational in practice and interdenominational in spirit."

Serving residential and nonresidential guests of our mission, as well as the community-at-large, the people of The Carpenter's House gather to celebrate the presence of the risen Christ in the world and are committed to the practice of accountable discipleship. It is the last statement that establishes and situates our church in a unique situation.

Membership in The Carpenter's House is defined by the expression of desire and willingness to be part of weekly accountable discipleship gatherings. While one need not be a "member" to participate in the worship and fellowship of The Carpenter's House, some followers are inclined and/or called to an intentional act of discipleship that is guided by a life of worship, devotion, compassion, and justice. Our "membership" is less about "privilege" and more about a willingness to be a disciple of Jesus and to be accountable for our walk with God and others.

Approximately half of our membership is made of followers of Jesus who are living lives of recovery from addiction. While confronting their addictions, a quarter of our membership have the added challenge of mental-health issues. Describing the numbness and pain of her addiction, one person said of herself and others like her, "We are just wandering souls."

Living in the midst of addiction and/or impairing mental illness can be aimless, lonely, and akin to wandering. Then again, life itself is one of wandering in our brokenness.

The Carpenter's House is where our common brokenness is acknowledged and we celebrate God's love for us. The accountable discipleship group is where we open ourselves to God's transforming grace so that we can be changed into loving people.

"We are wandering souls. I am a wandering soul," she said.

"Kathy" has long struggled and attempted to cope with her mental illness through her addiction. Yet she adds, "I am more than that. I am more than a wandering soul. I am a follower of Jesus. My accountable discipleship group makes me be more faithful to God, to others, and even myself."

Bruce W. Spangler is an elder in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, presently under special appointment as the Minister-in-Residence with Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Knoxville, Tennessee.