#34 Worshiping in a School with Millennials

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Forest Hill has been on my bucket list.   David Chadwick has been the pastor there since 1980, the year we moved to Charlotte!  If that isn't a record for longevity at a church, it should be.   While I have heard him on the radio, I have never worshiped there.  When I found out that they had a satellite campus within easy segwaying distance to my house, that made it easy.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
Forest Hill Church has 6 campuses:  Fort Mill, Waxhaw, Ballantyne, Uptown, South Blvd., and South Park.  I went to the Uptown campus which meets in First Ward Elementary at 715 North Caldwell St. There was plenty of parking in adjacent lots on Sunday, but I rode my segway.  They have services at 9:30 am and 11:15 am.  These are also live streamed.  The Uptown campus was dominated by millennials so dress was casual.  The local youth pastor wore jeans and flannels with a baseball cap!  Even Rev. Chadwick did not have on a tie.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

The mood was very casual.  There was the usual chatter preceding the service, but this group liked to stand around and chat instead of being seated.  About half of the congregation carried coffee mugs or to-go cups and sipped through the service.  Folks were friendly and YOUNG.  Millennials dominated this campus and though the group was diverse, less than a handful of the 150 or so folks were over 40 (much less 65!).

MUSIC

A praise band performed.  They had 3 guitars, drums, a keyboard, and 3 singers.  It was very professional and the keyboardist and soloists were exceptional.  However, it definitely felt like a performance versus worship.  While the words appeared on a screen, very few people in the congregation joined in.

MESSAGE 

David Chadwick gave the message via video.  It was a continuation of a series on John focusing on John 11:17-27, the raising of Lazarus. Instead of focusing on the well known story, he stressed the meaning of resurrection and the "I AM" statements in John. He mentioned that John has seven "I AM" statements and this story contains the fourth:  I am the resurrection and the life."  (My study Bible contributes eleven I AM statements in John... but hey!  He made me look!!)  I AM has a significant meaning in the Bible going back to  Moses when God calls himself Yahweh or "I am."  

If you are looking for "proof" of the resurrection, he outlined 10 facts to "win you over"...(These were also outlined on the "bulletin card".)

1. The truth of eye witnesses.  It is recorded in all 4 Gospels and in Acts, Paul says that 500 folks saw Jesus after his death.
2. Eye witnesses repeat multiple appearances.
3. Historians credit the first creed declaring the resurrection as early as 33 AD
4. There is no record of Jesus' body being produced.
5. The testimony of the Jewish women as being the first to witness the resurrection.  This is significant because women couldn't be in court as witnesses, so if it is documented by even the least of society, it must be true.
6. Who moved the stone?  There were guards.
7. Right after the resurrection, the followers of Jesus changed their worship day from Friday to Sunday, changing 1400 years of tradition.
8. Emphasis was changed from the Passover to a new tradition of Communion, again going against 1400 years of tradition.
9. Jesus' followers especially James, Peter, and Paul had conversion experiences.
10. The willingness of Jesus' followers to die for their faith.

As he talked about these facts, elaborating on them, his sincerity and desire for others to believe was evident.  He said, "I am asking to use your mind and intellect.  For through it your heart and soul will follow and be affected."

After Rev. Chadwick's message the local chaplain, Jason Smith, expounded on the four I AM messages as a prayer:  "I am the bread of life" - Jesus will give us sustenance.  "I am the light of the world" - Jesus will bring us hope. " I am the good shepherd" - Jesus will keep us safe and we need not be lonely.  "I am the resurrection and the life" - Jesus brings us Grace and eternal life.

The service ended with an altar call where the leadership came up front to stay after the Benediction to talk and pray with folks that requested it.

OBSERVATIONS AND OUTREACH

• Even using a video sermon, Rev. Chadwick came across as a powerful preacher who can "win you over" with his quiet sincerity and intellect.
• This congregation began in the Presbyterian church but has left to become non-denominational.  The service had a Baptist feel with its emphasis on preaching and lack of liturgy.
• The "bulletin" consisted of the outline of the sermon and a flyer for newcomers on prayer.
• No outreach was emphasized during the service, though the website mentions several including Beds for Kids.
• Meeting notices emphasized opportunities for Singles and Millennials to mingle.
• I was impressed with the amount of work this group must do every week to change the school into a gathering and worship space, especially with the emphasis on technology and performance.

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA

Who knew there were Resurrection Cartoons?!!!?

  The "bulletin"