Week 9: Grieving with Dance and Prayer

WHERE I WENT AND WHY:
This has been a tough week for my beloved city.  Where could I go to seek reflection and understanding?  I decided to go to 1st United Presbyterian Church.  This is an African American congregation in the heart of Center City.  It was founded after the Civil War as an outgrowth of First Presbyterian.  The former slaves no longer wanted to sit in the balcony but wanted a church of their own.  I had heard very welcoming and good things about the congregation and their pastor.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO:
First United Presbyterian is located at 406 North College Street at the intersection of 7th St. across from the Museum of the New South.  Worship is at 11.  Dress is dressy, though not all of the men were in ties.  Parking is on the street or over at 7th St. Station.  There is also a surface lot beside and behind the church, but I'm not sure if its free or pay.  Sunday service is at 11 am, which made me late to the Panthers game, but I think I had my priorities straight! And by now we know it was a losing cause!! (LOL)  

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD:

The first thing that "hit me" when I walked in was how beautiful the Sanctuary is, especially the chandelier and ceiling.  It took my breath away!  According to their website and church history, the congregation bought a wooden Lutheran church in 1869 on this corner.  I have no idea how much of the structure is original (it is now brick), but the semi circular pews, stained glass windows, organ and chancel, definitely put me in a reverential mood.

After I was seated and was studying the bulletin, Sam came over and welcomed me.  I was not the only white person attending today.  Of the 50-60 folks in attendance about 10% were white, and several interracial couples where there.  After the service, the pastor welcomed me with a big bear hug!  The congregation was older but there were several teens in attendance, no children were present and there was no mention of a nursery in the bulletin.  

MUSIC:

They were welcoming a guest organist today, but from the announcement, I gathered that he was not new to the congregation.  The hymns and music were very traditional and well done.  The choir was small (8 members) but powerful, and by facing the congregation were able to lead the congregation and those around me often sang in harmony.  During the Offertory, a soloist sang an amazing counterpoint to "Order my steps in Your Word."  

After the morning prayer, 5 women in red stood in front of the Chancel and performed In Spiritus Dance Selection:  "I Can only Imagine".  Since they were mostly seen from the waist up, most of the dance was done with their upper bodies and arms.  It reminded me of enhanced sign language and was beautiful and very expressive.  During the last chorus the congregation was invited to join them and colorful scarves had been placed in the pews. Many folks waved them to the music creating a beautiful rainbow.  After the service, I sought one of them out and told them how much I had enjoyed their efforts.  She said that they dance about once per month especially September through May and for special services.  She quickly invited me to come practice with them!  THAT is welcoming!

MESSAGE:

During the morning prayer, he prayed, "Give us imagination to bring justice and to fix what is broken."  Praying for imagination I thought was very eloquent.  

Rev. Tuggle's message deviated from the printed text and instead he spoke about grief using Psalms 23 and 6.  I wrote furiously, but I will try to condense my summary.

In using Psalm 23, he told the story of a great orator who recited the often-memorized words and received a long standing ovation.  He was followed by a stooped old man who spoke very softly but audibly.  At the end of his recitation, no one clapped, but there was not a dry eye among the listeners.  The difference:  the old man KNEW the Shepherd.

In using Psalm 6, he concentrated on our response to the grief we all feel at the death of the 2 men and of the riots in our city.  He said we should embrace our grief and be thankful for our loss, for it allows us to refocus on what is truly important.  It also empowers us to have empathy with others who are grieving especially our collected community.  In refocusing, we should look beneath our grief and look for the underlying causes of the anger many displayed.  He cited the study that shows Charlotte ranking 50th among 50 cities in upward mobility.  If we ignore these reasons, frustrations will continue.  

I was especially moved when he acknowledged that crying is a way of helping us refocus on what is important.  The Psalm says "I drench my couch with weeping..." He encouraged us to tell someone you love them, for life is short and uncertain.  A couple in the front row turned and kissed each other.  

He concluded by saying "hard conversations" aren't enough.  We having been calling for these for a very long time.  It is time to "do what is right".  

OBSERVATIONS AND OUTREACH:

• Again this week I was moved by the mood, music, and message!  There were "nuggets" everywhere.
• This congregation is celebrating their 150th Anniversary this year, as is the congregation I grew up in.   But their preparation is very different. They are preparing for the visit from the Clerk by having 2 different Bible Studies on racism and reconciliation.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if my very white Southern Lutheran church which was formed the same year could join them?  Their celebratory banner was beautiful and today they were welcoming an artist commissioned to produce something special for their celebration.
• Being an older congregation, one whole page of their bulletin was dedicated to sick, shut-ins, and those in the hospital.
• In listing those who serve they listed the person in charge of security.  I guess after Charleston, this is a sad reality.

BULLETIN:

Week 8: A Full Page Ad Worked!

Ad in Observer for Services Featuring Dr. Mark Achtemeier

READERS:  I enjoy your critiques and comments.  There is a comment section at the bottom of the post or if you are reading me on email, you can shoot me an email at dcp@carolina.rr.com.  It is really fun to know who is reading!

WHERE I WENT AND WHY:  

My original plans changed when this full page ad appeared in Saturday's Observer.  I have been a supporter of same sex marriage and to hear a theologian speak on the matter, especially an Evangelical was intriguing.  Also, 1st Methodist is in easy walking distance of my house, and they had a service which would easily end before the Panther game: a no brainer!

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO:

1st Methodist is located at 501 North Tryon Street.  I obviously walked, but free parking is in a deck for the 525 Building (formerly Odell).  Enter on 9th St.  I went to the 9 am Service which is their Connection Service held on the 3rd Floor (this wasn't in the ad and I was a little late, but found Ann serving a meal in the social hall and she personally walked me there!).  The 11 am service (which I had attended several years ago before Dr. Rosenquist came) is held in their large Gothic  sanctuary.  Dress at 9 was very casual.  They are a member of the "Reconciling Ministries Network" which means they are a very progressive congregation, welcoming LGBT folk, the divorced, homeless, and have a diversity of parishioners.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP 

MOOD:

I came in just as announcements were over and a series of songs were beginning.  The first thing I noticed was a small group of children in a corner quietly playing on a quilt.  At some point during the service, they "disappeared", I assume to the nursery, but that seemed very inclusive and welcoming to me.  There were also two "ten year olds" (guessing) on a couch where I sat playing on a phone or "game boy".  They remained engaged with their device, but silent during the entire service.  The room was a hodgepodge of sofas and chairs and according to their website was supposed to resemble a coffee shop.  The mood was definitely that casual.  Surprisingly it was not dominated by twenty-thirty-somethings, but was a mix of ages.  About 25 people were there.  Instead of the passing of the peace, folks were asked to greet their neighbors and answer the question "Where have you seen God this week?"  Several elderly ladies just greeted me and one of the musicians came over and actively engaged me and we exchanged answers to the question.  I've written here that I'm not a big fan of "passing the peace", but I liked this format and it came in a place in the service where it didn't interrupt the flow.

MUSIC:

The musicians, 2 female singers, 2 guitarists, a drummer and a keyboardist, were on a stage and while the music was contemporary and very folksy, it did carry a performance factor that did not engage me.  Nothing was ostentatious, but I think having them elevated and especially the first song during which no one sung, felt too much like a performance (vs. worship) to me.  Later when folks sang along, especially during Dylan's The Times They are A Changing, it felt more participatory and worshipful.   I've hummed along to this song for most of my life, but had not really paid attention to the words past the refrain.  Go to http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bobdylan/thetimestheyareachangin.html to see them all.  But 2 verses really spoke to me:

Words to the song were displayed on 2 screens and kudos go to whoever put the powerpoint together.  The pictures behind the words and the quotes displayed at various times contributed to the mood and message of the day.

 

MESSAGE:
The message was primarily delivered by Dr. Mark Achtemeier but began with a reading of Matthew 20:1-16, the parable of the workers in the vineyard where those who worked all day got the same wage as those hired in the last hour.

Next came a 5 minute or so video of Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, a ELCA Lutheran pastor,

discussing how she has experienced grace through the LGBT members of her congregation. Because they are often seen as outsiders and have raw experiences of having been treated as such, she now has a new lens through which to  view Christ's Gospel of love and Grace. She also cited the text of the "last shall be first".  She said that we often try to view the world through dual lenses:  black/white; right/wrong; good/bad.  But Christ did not see the world that way, but embraced everyone with his love and Grace.  I tried to find a link on You Tube to the video, but couldn't.  I encourage you to put "Nadia Bolz Weber" into You Tube's search engine and watch a few of her other clips (most are 5-10 minutes).  She will be speaking in Davidson in November and I would love to go, but know I already have a conflict.

Then Dr. Achtemeier spoke on the text and entitled his sermon, "A Strange New World."  He asked, "Do you really want a God who is fair?  Do I want to get what I deserve?"  Obviously if grace is "doled out" by our good works or by our living up to our potential, we will all fall short.  

He talked about the conflict he has with giving money to the homeless as he knows 9 times out of 10 that they will use it on alcohol or drugs and not on food or "good things".  But he justifies it by saying, "I'm giving them an opportunity to choose; a chance to do right."    Just as God give us a chance every day through forgiveness to start over.  While I got his point, I'm not quite "there" with the homeless.  Living uptown I encounter them daily and cannot (and will not) give them money every time they ask.  But I have a  recognition of their plight and their humanity and try to always treat them with the same respect I give to everyone, especially not ignoring their eye contact or their existence.  And when asked for money, I will buy them food or gas (if I'm at a station), but will not just give them money. Am I being prudent, or condescending by deciding what is "right"?  Does my food or gas also give them a chance to "do what is right"?

He ended his message with saying we need to create a "strange new world", by extending the Kingdom of God to those who society says "don't deserve it" through sharing God's love and generosity.  He ended with "The next time you find yourself getting angry, thank God for irritating people."

The senior pastor, Dr. Val Rosenquist, then presided over Communion.  It felt really good to have Communion included in the worship.  It has not been a part of my worship since Week 2 at Caldwell.  I loved the way "Pastor Val" did the preamble.  It was very conversational, but had all of the liturgical elements included.

OBSERVATIONS AND OUTREACH:

• I was able to get "nuggets" out of the mood, music and message today!
• I felt very ecumenical today:  I was at a Methodist church, hearing a evangelical Presbyterian preacher, and seeing a video of a Lutheran pastor!
• The bulletin highlighted a volunteer reading coach program they are organizing at First Ward Elementary, and a partnership with The Refugee Network, helping refugees set up basic households.
• The other opportunities to hear Dr. Achtemeier were highlighted, later that evening in the social hall (I went back for that.  See below), and Monday with Myers Park Methodist and Dr. Howell.
• Above the door was a great sign.  It said " Go Out and Serve:  Great things never come from Comfort Zones".
• As I was writing this blog, I got an email  invitation from a church administrator to "Join Rev. Joe Brown for dinner and learn more about Northside."  I was just thinking about how he also used the "false prophet" scenario (see below) in his teachings with a completely different outcome.  I politely declined.
• The order for the service was on a chalkboard at the front, very coffee-house-menu style.

THE 6:30 PRESENTATION ON THE BIBLE'S YES TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: AN EVANGELICAL'S CHANGE OF HEART:

• Dr. Achtemeier spoke about how he stills sees himself theologically an evangelical (vs. a progressive) in most contexts.  However he has come 180 degrees from his previously held view of homosexuality and same sex marriage, through both personal experience with parishioners and people he has met (he is personally heterosexual, married with children) AND through scholarly Biblical study. In discussing "evangelical" vs. "progressive" theology, he says, that he now sees himself as a translator!
• He came to question his beliefs after struggling with folks in a pastoral role, as they struggled with their homosexuality and their Christianity.  He began to wonder if this needed to be mutually exclusive.
• This led him to Jesus' teaching in Matthew to "look out for false prophets.  You will know them by their fruits."  He was seeing the fruits of Evangelical teachings on homosexuality as the cause for the folks he was counseling rejecting and being rejected by Christianity. Knowing the dangers of "cherry-picking" scriptures without examining their historical and intentional contexts, he began a scholarly Biblical study of the issue. (note:  this is also a text Rev. Brown used at Northside Baptist.  Somehow, I don't think he would view this passage in the same way.)
• He used the analogy of a mosaic.  You could have a beautiful mosaic picturing a king done by an accomplished artist.  Those tiles could be taken apart, sorted, and reassembled by an unaccomplished artist (false prophet?) and a completely different representation of the king would emerge.
• So he went to the source:  what does Jesus say about marriage?  He likens marriage as one of the ways we humans can emulate the relationship God wants to have with us by giving ourselves completely to another person in love and mutual servanthood. (As Christ gave himself both spiritually and physically to us.)  Then he asked himself, can this be accomplished through same sex marriage?   
• He addressed the argument that marriage is for procreation this way:  We do not withhold marriage from older folks past child bearing age or from folks who learn they are infertile.
• He also said that he felt that God does not reserve his mercy and grace from those who are outside the "majority norms".
• His book also addresses in detail the 7 or 8 verses that Evangelicals quote (cherry-pick?) to support their condemnation of same sex marriage.  He gave 2 examples which I had heard before.  The first is the verses in Leviticus which warn about men lying with men.  The historical context for that is that the Jews are being warned not to use sex, prostitution, and rape either by same or different sex to subdue conquered peoples.  In the New Testament he portrays Paul's teachings as teaching against violent or exploitative sex.
• This part was new to me:  when explaining some of Paul's teachings, he said that it was a common practice especially in the Greek community for young boys to ingratiate themselves to their teachers sexually and for the teachers (philosophers) to demand it.  I couldn't help but think of the exploitation of young boys by Priests (both Catholic and non Catholic) today.
• During the Q & A one woman made an interesting comment about Baptism with ramifications for the trans community.  She pointed out that we baptize children (not males or females) and we become children of God.  I do believe that in the Lutheran Sacrament of Baptism, one of the prayers refers to sons and daughters, but I get the meaning of what she was saying.  Words can really trip us up and we always need to look for the intention of their meaning.

For the past 3 weeks  I've rewarded you for reading this far with something funny from Ship of Fools.  When I went to look for something about same sex marriage this "forum starter" jumped out at me.  It is a little humorous, but thinking about my perceived differences with Rev. Brown, and Dr. Achtemeier's discussion of evangelicals vs. progressives, I take it more as an admonishment not to criticize either.  The title is  "Ditching the Adjectives".  Go to:

http://forum.ship-of-fools.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=019939

But children usually really know the score and will tell it to you straight.  Here is "Kids Explain Gay Marriage" on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcY68HE0bQc

BULLETIN:

Week 7: Welcoming Unity and Diversity

Note to regular readers:  
A friend pointed out that there is a "bug" in the submit button at the bottom of this blog if you try to "join or follow".  With the help of my dear I-T expert, (ie. my husband, David) I have added an email "gadget".  If you wish to follow this blog, you can submit your email address and it will appear in your email weekly, or you can use that as a signal to go on line to www.50churchesin52weeks.blogspot.com.  Typically, it should all come through, though the format is slightly altered (I don't think you get the background for what that's worth).  And depending how picture/video rich my post is, and the size of the email you are able to download, you will probably get it all, but if you don't the webpage will "have it all".  The gadget is just to the right, above my "Featured Post".

WHERE I WENT AND WHY:

I thought it was time to stretch myself with a non-traditional community.  My "We Walk Together" group had mentioned how welcoming and open the Baha'i Community was and I had talked to Beth Walker, one of their members, at one of our service days.  She had given me the information about what to expect when I attended.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO:

The Baha'i Community holds a devotional gathering each Sunday.  Their sign says they start at 10:30 am.  The website says 11:00 am.  and my friend Beth said to be there at 10:45.  I arrived about 10:40, and folks drifted in throughout the entire gathering time until I left at 1 pm.  It really "started" about 11:05.  There was plenty of parking.  It is located on Marvin Road in the Grier Heights Community.  Turn at the 7-11 off Wendover.  Dress was casual.  A meal is served at the end of the service.  

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD:

This was the most welcoming community I've attended  yet, also one of the smallest (could there be a connection?).  They are currently meeting in their social hall since the larger space needs roof repairs.  About 50 folding chairs were arranged in a semi circle.  By the end most were filled.  Dorothy greeted me at the door and when she found out I was a "first timer" she explained quickly that Christians are welcome and they they believe in Christ, and see all religions as being progressively revealed through one God.  I sat beside Ralph, who quickly introduced himself and told me about a service project the church currently has in Grier Heights.  Several other folks came over and introduced themselves by name and welcomed me.  Beth told Edith (who was sitting beside me) about my 50 churches project and several folks came over to ask me about it.

During the devotional, folks quieted down and between readings and prayers there was silence for meditation.  During the chanting and singing (all a capella, except for a drum) folks would clap, and during the sharing of life in the spiritual community, folks would clap after the speakers. 

There were no children present, except for one young man about 10.  During lunch a couple with a baby came in.  There obviously were programs for children, as the walls were full of posters and children's drawings.  Beth explained that they were done this summer during a 6 week outreach to children. There was a fenced in playground in the "backyard".

MUSIC:

A song book was on every other chair.  It contained about 12 pages in a folder with words to songs printed (no music).  The only musical accompaniment was 2 drummers.  (They have a drum circle once per month).  One young woman sang a beautiful solo with a refrain that said "God's love is ancient, perishable and everlasting".  Another did a call and response song in the African American tradition.  At one point 5 members came up front as a choir and led the gathering in several songs from the blue booklet.  One entitled Strive, said, "Strive that your actions may be beautiful prayers."  Another song that the gathering all obviously knew and sang strongly was a very affirming I Think You're Wonderful.  My eye was drawn to the words to one of the songs, and I would have liked to have heard it sung.  The words were " When the walls say, 'stay away' our religions are not the same. We're building bridges out of walls."

The choir

MESSAGE:

At the beginning of the devotional, a man stood up and explained at this gathering there are no rituals.  There would be no speaker today (so I assume sometimes there is a speaker).  Folks could read passages from whatever spiritual book they wanted and they could offer readings or prayers .  About 10 people read passages from various texts.  I thought it interesting that most had them downloaded on their phones and read from there, including the 10 year old.   I did not recognize any of the passages, and many sounded as if they were from the King James version of the Bible with many "thou's, verily's and th's added to the end of verbs."  One lady read in Chinese and another in Ukrainian, and yet another in Farsi.

Teaching Summary from their website

During the time when folks shared about life in the spiritual community, two women spoke.  One had accompanied a group of Chinese students to Tel Aviv , Haifa, and Joppa.  She spoke of it  as a pilgrimage.   The students had questions about the difference between superstitions and miracles. Their spiritual leader told them "the miracle is in the reading." (I think this meant in studying and meditation.)  Edith who was sitting beside me reported about a conference she had been to near Chicago that was a Baha'i gathering of friends of Persian Culture.  She said about 25 Middle Eastern countries were represented and that many of the intelligentsia (my word), journalists, movie producers, lawyers, professors, etc.  urged folks to speak up and out for the Baha'i who were imprisoned and being persecuted in Iran and Iraq.  She said that several speakers described it as a silent Holocaust, or genocide.   

I found this on their "images" website
I thought it was very poignant.

OUTREACH AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS:

• This experience was definitely richest in a welcoming mood.  The music was not very impressive, though I could understand the words of the songs better than the readings, so I got more "nuggets" there.
• As the devotional was ending, the "leader" asked if there were any first timers here and Beth introduced me.  This was the first time my project has been described (by Beth and me) to a "crowd".  During lunch, many people came by as asked me about the project and said how glad they were that I had chosen to come there. None were critical. Edith invited me to her home for a spiritual meeting.  I thanked her but declined. (It did sound interesting though.)

I think they have a covered dish lunch EVERY Sunday
They called it "Friends, Food, and Fellowship"

• One young woman announced a meeting to hear about service projects in the community during the last 3 months and how they wanted folks to critique their work and give them ideas and suggestions for going forward.
• Ralph earlier had described to me how they had decided to join the "Adopt a Highway" program in the Grier Heights neighborhood.  But instead of twice a year, they were picking up trash once per month.  They are having trouble getting the city to pick up their bags in a timely manner so he was going to suggest everyone just take a bag home with them!
• While very diverse with folks from many cultures, this was an older group.  Many were retired and only a few 20-40 "somethings" were there.  I wondered about the children and how they are growing their community.  Then again, maybe this isn't an emphasis.
• There was no "bulletin" or printed material and no offering.
• Since I believe most of my readers are not familiar with the basic tenants of the Baha'i movement ( and I am among them!), here are two paragraphs describing Baha'i from Wikipedia.  This seems to be a good summary of what I read on the Charlotte Baha'i website:

The Bahá'í Faith (Persian: Bahā'i ; بهائی‎‎) is a monotheistic religion which emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind.^[1] Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the unity of God, that there is only one God who is the source of all creation; the unity of religion, that all major religions have the same spiritual source and come from the same God; and the unity of humanity, that all humans have been created equal, coupled with the unity in diversity, that diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance.^[2] According to the Bahá'í Faith's teachings, the human purpose is to learn to know and to love God through such methods as prayer, reflection and being of service to humanity.

In the Bahá'í Faith, religious history is seen to have unfolded through a series of divine messengers, each of whom established a religion that was suited to the needs of the time and to the capacity of the people. These messengers have included Abrahamic figures—Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, as well as figures from Indian religions like Krishna, Buddha, and others. For Bahá'ís, the most recent messengers are the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. In Bahá'í belief, each consecutive messenger prophesied of messengers to follow, and Bahá'u'lláh's life and teachings fulfilled the end-time promises of previous scriptures. Humanity is understood to be in a process of collective evolution, and the need of the present time is for the gradual establishment of peace, justice and unity on a global scale.^[6]

• I know no more about the Baha'i faith than I have written here.  I am sure there is much more to know and learn.  While their basic tenants are very similar to my own:  I too believe that there are multiple paths to God and that we are still evolving in God's love and spirit.  However having grown up in a liturgical setting, I must admit I missed the structure and beauty of the liturgy and music.  I highly respect their generosity and the complete acceptance of a visitor along with the diversity of their community. 

ADDENDUM TO BLOG #7: (10/10, 2016)
I got this interesting letter from Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Charlotte.  I can't believe that they took the time and effort to write such a nice and informative letter! What really floored me was the return of my offering:  "only Baha'is can contribute to the Baha'i Fund".

And if you made it this far.. you deserve a funny from The Ship of Fools.  I dedicate this one to Rev. Howell at Myers Park Methodist.  He can add it to his rant about unholy activities during weddings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSkT5XykJzo

Week 6: Worshipping at a Rock Concert

WHERE I WENT AND WHY:
Curiosity and a great day to be outside took me to Elevation Church.  I could walk to their Uptown Campus at Spirit Square and I have always been curious about this "phenomenon". David has been curious too, so he got up and went with me despite the late football game last night (go Tigers!).

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO:  
Elevation has 10 campuses in the greater Charlotte area from Rock Hill to Davidson and Concord, and three more in Roanoke, Toronto and Raleigh.  You can even download their app to take "instant inspiration with you wherever you go."   We went to the 9:30 service at Spirit Square, Uptown. Dress was extremely casual.  Folks had on shorts, tube tops, jeans and t shirts.  The pastor wore jeans and a military green khaki t shirt and boots.  The crowd was very young and diverse, but David and I did not stick out as "old" (I don't think!), there were several other at least 50 somethings there.  We took our segways (since I was going to the grocery afterward) but I know they provide free parking at 7th St. Station.  The girl at the welcome desk said that if you were going to Ballantyne or Blakney that there could be long lines for parking and the welcome tent.  Outside of Spirit Square (on the College St. side) they had music and tables and chairs and corn hole games set up.  There were programs set up in different floors of Spirit Square for "EKids" and "EStudents" (middle and high school).  They have security check-in, parent identification security tags and trained security officers and volunteers who have all passed background checks.  

Jai and Matthew at the welcome tables on Tryon St.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD:

Walking in, you really felt you were about to enter a rock concert.  The stage had 3 huge screens, with music and lighting pulsing to a definite "rock" (praise?) beat.  There were both piped-in music and a live band on stage with 3 guitars, a drummer and 3 female singers.   The time for the "live" service was counted down on the screen.  There was no bulletin, just a connection card.  The words to the songs were on the screen and folks were encouraged to sing and clap along.  It was all very well produced and David was impressed with the level of production and technology.  The lower level of Spirit Square was full and ushers helped folks find seats with flashlights throughout the first few songs.  The rock concert mood changed dramatically during the sermon, which was broadcast from the Ballantyne location.  While still highly "produced", it was very Biblical and engaging.

MUSIC:

David and I were not familiar with any of the songs and we speculated that they were all originally composed for the church.  They were all on sale in the lobby and this would reduce copyright issues  They were not difficult to sing, though  only a few of the parishioners actively sang along, but most clapped or swayed to the music.  The beat made that easy.  While not my "style" of music, I will say that it was very well done, and the musicians were very talented, especially the guitarist in Ballantyne and the lead singers in Uptown.  From its reputation, I was not surprised by the production, but expected more of a "performance".  This group truly seemed to be worshipping (vs. performing).  One song had a line I thought worthy of writing down:  "This is a day You have made - I won't complain".  I liked that!

MESSAGE:  

Baptism pool in Spirit Square Parking lot

The local pastor, Paul Chambis (though Terry Bruce is listed on the webpage),  performed a Baptism (by immersion in the parking lot!) and set the tone by emphasizing the Vision statement introduced last week for the next 10 years. (They are celebrating their 10th anniversary):  See what God can do through you.  He began and ended the service with prayer.  This is the only church I can remember going to that had folks clapping during a prayer (Amens, yes... but clapping?... somehow it fit!)

The sermon was broadcast from their new facility in Ballantyne and was preached by their founder and lead pastor, Steven Furtick.  This is when the rock concert mood changed.  He is a dynamic speaker and he reminded me of a Revivalist (and yes, they are starting a 10 day revival next week) and had a definite folksy, gospel, almost African American cadence to his preaching with lots of repetition.  He preached from Isaiah 65: 1 and John 5: 1-8 (Make the mountains tremble and Jesus heals the paralytic by a pool on the Sabbath.)  The nugget I took away from his sermon was if you want change (or his term was have a breakthrough) in your life, you must receive Christ and take action (Jesus told the man to take his mat and get up, and he did and was cured.)  Jesus will come to you, but you must believe and be willing to change. "IT doesn't change (ie the problem, addiction, etc.), YOU must change." Then you can go from "what God can do for me", to "what God can do through me".  His delivery was a mix of theology, church history, personal stories (very few), and exhortation:  very powerful.  

OUTREACH AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS:

• Except for multiple references to the upcoming "Orange Revival", no mention was made of activities or outreach ministries of the church, though visitors and members alike were encouraged to use the website to connect to smaller groups and "Eteams"  and "Egroups" (this only through messages on the video screens and in literature passed out, not verbally).
• When I went out on the website it seemed that almost all of the small groups were discussion focused and not outreach to the community, though I know the church does several service "blitzes" each year.

Corn hole and relaxing between services in Spirit Square parking lot

• Expectations vs. Experiences:  I was expecting the music to be contemporary and "praise" centered, and I was not disappointed.  I also expected the "big production" and experienced even more glitz than I anticipated, but I was impressed that everything was geared toward praising God, not the performers.  I expected more of a "Jim and Tammy" atmosphere and was absolutely (and thankfully!) disappointed.  There was an offering (in large pewter bowls, and you could give on line through their app!) but it was very low key.  I also expected more of a "prosperity theology", especially since previous "Orange Revivals" have featured Joel Osteen, but got none of that in the message today.
• This church was started as a "mission plant" of the Baptist State Convention of NC and has grown in 10 years from 121 at its first service to "15,000 in 13 campuses" (according to wikipedia).  Its Southern Baptist roots are still showing:  all of the campus pastors are young white men (though the congregation was pleasantly racially mixed) and many of the Egroups were studying a curriculum called "Mr. and Mrs. Betterhalf" which stresses that marriage is monogamous and between "one man and one woman."
• When the technology had a glitch, the campus pastor asked us to turn to our neighbor, introduce ourselves and tell each other our favorite flavor of ice cream.  It only lasted about 30 seconds.
• At the end of the service there was an "almost" altar call at the end of the final prayer with folks asked to raise their hands if they were "moved to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus."  Those who raised their hands were given orange Bibles.  The lady in front of us had 4 or 5 children with her all about 10.  She pushed all of their hands in the air!  LOL  Hey!  Nothing wrong with making sure kids have Bibles!
• Visitors were offered a T Shirt at the VIP Tent.  (So I could also say, "I've been to Elevation and I have the T Shirt to prove it"... but I declined.)
• After visiting 7 churches, 4 of which were either being broadcast on the radio, TV, or internet, I've learned that one big advantage to broadcasting is you start on time and you end on time!! LOL  It definitely keeps the preacher from "going long!!"  

And if you've read this far, you deserve a laugh!  I told you I was sailing with the ship of fools this week! www.shipoffools.com:  "How to Pitch a Tent"

http://www.shipoffools.com/fruittube/pages/004.html

VIP Pamphlet and Connection Card (no bulletin):