I was reading an article in RELEVANT Magazine today which got me thinking about Element (our youth ministry’s old young adults worship night) and how we could re-do it with some major changes.
Let me try and Encapsulate for you just what the article was about. The author Cameron Conant was talking about community and how as Christians, though we are in community to some degree wherever we are, we are Westernised individuals and live apart from that community. Ben Irwin defines community as "People who are Experiencing Life Together."
You’ve all heard sermons before on the Acts 2 church and for those of you who belong to Thornlie, you know that this is the foundation on which we build our ministries. But how often do we meet to, "share meals with Great joy and Generosity?" We worship together regularly and we are taught together and we give tithes and offerings together but rarely do we have an opportunity to eat together, to share our lives with somebody other than our spouses, fiancées, and partners or close friends, and when we do we talk about non-important issues that will never draw us closer to God. Maybe this is because we think to ourselves, "Who else needs to know?" or maybe, “Who else even Cares what's been happening, or what I’m struggling with.” Have you ever thought that you might have something to say to someone that uplifts them, that encourages them or that they can really connect with or that they might have something to say to you? The dinner table is a perfect place to share what’s been going on in your life, what you're growing or going through and what God has spoken to you about recently. There are things in your life that others need to know for their own growth; granted this position is one of extreme vulnerability but God will use your experiences in others lives for their growth.
So I guess you're probably thinking to yourself "Good thoughts Stunners but we don’t have a forum at Thornlie for this kind of community." my idea is that we create such a forum. I’m thinking Friday or Saturday night or Wednesday on the off week, we get together for dinner at the church. We talk, we share our lives, and we worship through this. Then once we're finished we really tell God how highly we love him. We do whatever comes most naturally to worship God. We testify of God's love in our lives and we join together in community. not singling out one particular style of worship as better or even more accessible than another, not "fellowshipping" with "how are you?' but with "how are you and God?" not asking, "what have you been up to?" but asking "what has God been up to?" and not answering with, "I’m good" but I’m not so good and here's why," or, "I’m Great and Here's why."
I have had an epiphany about Element. The name Element is singular. It describes ONE aspect of worship, one way to Seek God and that is its flaw. God desires worship in all elements of our lives even our Friendships. Isn’t it time we started?
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4 comments:
sounds good mate ... I'm up for it, less ritual more relational, I'm sure some people are already doing this type of thing one way or another in the church, but many of us aren't, or maybe we think we're doing it but still forget the being 'real' bit. Some people like to do it around a BBQ, other people like to do it around the dinner table. All of that sounds great to me, the bit I like most is worshipping God, even if its doing something a little different.
sounds good mate ... I'm up for it, less ritual more relational, I'm sure some
people are already doing this type of thing one way or another in the church, but
many of us aren't, or maybe we think we're doing it but still forget the being
'real' bit. Some people like to do it around a BBQ, other people like to do it
around the dinner table. All of that sounds great to me, the bit I like most is
worshipping God, even if its doing something a little different.
hey ruz, i'm feeling it. The vibe is reaching right across the country. CHeck my blog in the next few days as I share some of my thoughts on these things.
hey rynelle,
actually, down at bull creek, ive been heading up organising a second service for sundays, or possibly another day,and the one main point we came up with was having our service around a meal. michael bullard (you may know him) is a post-mod and is a huge influence and loves the whole fellowship together around a meal. its as though we have forgotten it over the centuries, and we are just realising how important it is now. i think it is a fantastic idea! chat to michael he is an awesome fountain of inspiration!
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