The Reverbification of St. Awesome's
Soooo, yesterday was the first merged service. What did you think?
It obviously wasn't just like Reverb and it obviously wasn't just like the classic service. It was, as one might imagine, kind of a mix. I think talking about the service as a "merge" is probably a little limiting in the long run as the service should be it's own thing instead of an equal mix of column A and column B, but for the time being, I thought yesterday's service represented some of the best parts of both Reverb and the Classic services.
Like Fred pointed out last week, movement will no doubt be slow and deliberate as we work to move the entire body into new means of worship and expression. I'm excited and encouraged by how the first week went. Random notes:
-The community area looked really nice. Greg Gilmore and Amy Cranfill deocrated it. And the paintings over the coffee area were by Amy!
-I thought Greg Chandler's segue into the responsive worship/communion/confession time was excellent. Greg is made for that sort of thing.
-It looked to me like the 9:30 crowd was the largest of the three.
-I had two donuts.
-I was amazed at how quickly and smoothly the larger crowds made their way through communion time. I was really anxious to see what that was going too look like.
After the 11:15 service there were a lot of old Reverb regulars stacking chairs. I thought that was awesome. If some of you Reverbites are bemoaning the loss of the sense of community you loved with the smaller Reverb crowd, you might consider sticking around after the last service and helping put the chairs away. It's a nice way to serve and it's good bonding time. For instance, yesterday Bret, Fred, Greg, and I had a chair fight. It was just like a snowball fight, but instead of throwing snowballs we threw chairs. And instead of clumps of snow falling down the back of your shirt, blood gushes out of your nose and stains your pants.
Category: Post
It obviously wasn't just like Reverb and it obviously wasn't just like the classic service. It was, as one might imagine, kind of a mix. I think talking about the service as a "merge" is probably a little limiting in the long run as the service should be it's own thing instead of an equal mix of column A and column B, but for the time being, I thought yesterday's service represented some of the best parts of both Reverb and the Classic services.
Like Fred pointed out last week, movement will no doubt be slow and deliberate as we work to move the entire body into new means of worship and expression. I'm excited and encouraged by how the first week went. Random notes:
-The community area looked really nice. Greg Gilmore and Amy Cranfill deocrated it. And the paintings over the coffee area were by Amy!
-I thought Greg Chandler's segue into the responsive worship/communion/confession time was excellent. Greg is made for that sort of thing.
-It looked to me like the 9:30 crowd was the largest of the three.
-I had two donuts.
-I was amazed at how quickly and smoothly the larger crowds made their way through communion time. I was really anxious to see what that was going too look like.
After the 11:15 service there were a lot of old Reverb regulars stacking chairs. I thought that was awesome. If some of you Reverbites are bemoaning the loss of the sense of community you loved with the smaller Reverb crowd, you might consider sticking around after the last service and helping put the chairs away. It's a nice way to serve and it's good bonding time. For instance, yesterday Bret, Fred, Greg, and I had a chair fight. It was just like a snowball fight, but instead of throwing snowballs we threw chairs. And instead of clumps of snow falling down the back of your shirt, blood gushes out of your nose and stains your pants.
Category: Post
posted by Patrick at 11:16 AM
7 Comments:
Dern! I'm so sad I missed it!! I love gushing blood!
Despite having to soak my blood soaked jeans in vinegar all night...I thought the first "NEW" service was a bold and successful first showing. Yes, we are seeing baby steps here folks, and that's quite alright. Personally, I found it very exciting to see so many people participating in the responsive worship (I agree, Greg C. did a great job leading that) and I honestly feel that the responsive worship component along w/ the retooled praise and worship will be the driving force that really defines the new weekend experience.
Yes, there were a lot more people at the services as opposed to Reverb. But that just means we have to be more creative in creating community. I think Patrick made a good point about making connections after the service by stacking chairs and there are other ways we can build authentic community. What some of your ideas on how you can build community in the new setting?
Thanks for this post Patch.
Mad props to Amy C & Greg G for warming up the lobby. Thought the touches they added were perfect. Can't wait until the "Loft" opens in the days ahead.
On the community end of things, I think we have to take responsibility and ownership of that for ourselves. I can't expect Crossroads to give community to me. Instead, I can deliberately hang out, stack chairs, invite people to lunch, etc.
ALso,thanks for the call for ideas Bret. Most of our best ideas come from people who don't work for the church anyway. And I know Greg G. is open to input. Shower him with it- like I got showered with chairs yesterday.
By the way, I think my new face looks tougher with the stitches and black eye. Kind of "Fight Clubish" in the Ed Norton sense of things. Although we might try a "used communion cup" fight next week.
Gushing blood? Chair fight? Stitches? Is this for real? Hmmm... somehow I doubt that I missed one Sunday and suddenly there's a frat-inspired-free-for-all in the midst of the santuary. It's truth time, guys. How did Fred REALLY get a black eye?
I talked to two nonreverb people about the service sunday and they both said they cried through the whole thing. which was awesome-
I also wanted to note that i hung out at the student ministry service for about ten minutes and it was unbelieveable.
Music was rediculous- that ministry is going to go through the roof.
and thanks for the encouragement with the decorations in the foyer- you guys are awesome
I was greatly encouraged by the service.
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