Ian Lawton -

Ian originates from Australia (you may have noticed the accent) and his journey to the United States and specifically Grand Haven, Michigan is the story of what Paulo Coelho would call a “personal legend.” Ian’s story is that of one man’s deep mission to nourish the spiritual nature of humanity.

It has been an interesting journey since Ian was ordained as an Anglican Priest in Sydney, Australia, in 1994. Sydney is one of the most conservative Anglican dioceses in the world. Ian never fit into that church culture, as he was always more interested in connecting with the people who don't go to church; the homeless people, the broken people, the creative people, the liberated people, the recovering people, the inquiring people, the family people, those who put their humanity before their ideology; these were Ian’s people. He met them in pubs and on university campuses, in gyms and at school picnics. He stood alongside them at protests and bar lines. He just didn’t see them in church. Ian always believed that he could create the type of community that met the needs of this church alumni.

Ian worked on Sydney’s inner city streets and saw the reality of human suffering first hand. He sought a spirituality that made a difference in people’s lives. Ian went on to complete a second degree in sociology.

In 2000, Ian left Sydney to find a more open place to explore a relevant and evolving theology. He found this in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, where he became the Vicar of St. Matthew in the City. Ian had four great years at St Matthews; a never-dull, gothic, white stone building in the shadows of the towering casino. His world opened up during these years as he was exposed to Maori language and culture, mixed with a stimulating community; and launched an online progressive network. Bishop John Shelby Spong then convinced Ian to come to the United States to lead an emerging group of progressive Christians in Michigan.

Today Ian calls Grand Haven, Michgan home where he lives with his wife Meg and three children Hugo, Darcy and Raina. Christ Community Church (C3) in West Michigan (of all the most unlikely places) has a sizeable population of church alumni. The C3 community is an incredibly talented, impressive group of human beings. Ian is the leader and teacher of the C3 community.

Since moving to the U.S. Ian’s sense of sacred has broadened to embrace all things. Ian has taken up meditation and Zen training which have helped to remove any tendency to divide the world up into good and bad, holy and profane.

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