Read this week about a church that divided its sancuary into 4 areas, marked out with masking tape for worship.
The first area was closest to the band & was for folks really into worship. Lots of loud singing, clapping, dancing & hand-raising - anything goes here.
The next area was for folks into worship but not feeling as demonstative as the people up front.
The third area was for people happy to be in church but feeling unable to give themselves completely over to worship. Folks who are just not feeling close to God for some reason would be here or parents with small children who need attention or people who have brought visitors who may be a little intimidated.
The fourth area was separted from the others with room dividers and featured lounges, reading material and coffee. Folks back here wanted be in church & hang out but didn't want to be involved at all in the service. Non-believers, street people etc. back here.
Found myself wondering Sunday morning how this concept would work if it was formalized at my church?
Right now what would be the first section folk tend to ring the outside of the sancuary, kind of forming a protective circle around the "less robust" worshippers in the centre.
I kind of like that.
If we were to adopt any of this idea I do like the concept of the 4th area - a place for people to just hang out & be part of the church family without having to be actively involved in the service.
15 comments:
Hi Bob, I have some time on my hands inbetween domestic chores, so this is my official blogging day. Interesting concept. I would name section 1- "church", section 2- "the washroom", section 3- "smokers corner" and section 4- "Tim Horton's". There's a time and place for everything, but I don't think the church is the venue to satisfy every ones needs. Like the song say's, It's not about me Lord, It's about Jesus!"
It is all about Jesus but Jesus is all about us.
I believe the church should be the one venue that can satisfy everyone.
CF comes as close as anything I have ever been involved in to truely welcoming everyone.
Love the thought of section 4 being named Tim Horton's - I'll bet if we had one either Roy or Patti would be back there every week cause it sure strikes me as where Jesus would hang out.
ROFL!!! I love it dougie g - Particularly 'the washroom'. I can just see it now. Of course, in our new building we would need to have speakers in sections 2, 3 and 4 - so that each group had equal opportunity. Even now, speakers in the washroom or nursery would be helpful...for those who just need to be out of the sanctuary for a few minutes.
Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.We do welcome everyone. But I just can't see dividing our sanctuary into sections. There's no room for one thing. I think Roy and Patti would be doing what they do every Sunday and that is helping us to connect with our Lord in a meaningful way, not off drinking coffee during worship service. That comes after the service, and yes I believe Jesus would be there too.
interesting concept, and i'm not sure that i agree or disagree, more thought is needed.
what i challenge is the proposed concept that those of us who are not wildly demonstrative are "less into it" than those who are going wild. not necessarily true.
"what i challenge is the proposed concept that those of us who are not wildly demonstrative are "less into it" than those who are going wild. not necessarily true."
ditto
I agree with Chris's point that
you can't tell where someone is by
if they are going "wild" or not.
Been in a lot of places that were "wild" but sort of figure if
the Holy Spirit was there at all He might have been standing on the side lines shaking his head saying "these are
myyyyyyyyyy children"
I think different area's could be
great and make it a safe place for
everyone, as long as people don't hang in the same area week after week as an escape.
take a pill second section folk!
my original statement said the 2nd area was for people "into worship"
but not as "demonstrative".
Hmmm...to enter the conversation or not to enter the conversation...that is the question.
I agree that you can't judge the heart by the outward response, whether it's "wild" or not.
However...may I nicely point out that singing and dancing and raising hands and clapping and being silent and kneeling and bowing and lying on the ground...are all in Scripture as forms of worship?
Often as an imperative?
May I also mention that I still remember the first time I raised one hand (discreetly, and not above shoulder height) to worship God? And it felt like everyone would think I was being "wild"?
Demonstrative does not come naturally to me!!!! And yet, for me...I wouldn't feel right consciously choosing NOT to participate in a form of worship that God has prescribed.
So sometimes I'm "wild". And sometimes I'm on my knees. And sometimes I'm loud. And sometimes I'm silent. And sometimes I'm a leader, modelling forms of praise and worship to others, because I believe that's part of being a leader.
Almost always - it's a decision, and an obedience thing for me, at least at the start. Rarely do I instantly FEEL like praising the way I do.
That's where I'm at.
Hoping I haven't stepped on too many toes.
Where are those pills, Bob? haha!!
It seems strange defending someone else's concept (especially one I don't know if I'm in favour of)but my understooding is that the idea is to help people feel comfortable with whatever form of worship they feel like on that day or time, not to restrict them to a particular form.
The areas were meant to be fluid with people moving in & out of areas from week to week or even during the service.
Judging from the responses Patti I don't think we have to buy masking tape for the floor any time soon :)
LOL Bob!!
Knowing CF, people wouldn't pay attention to the lines anyway. We specialize in crossing lines!!!
I do think the fluidity thing is good, because each of us is different from each other, and different on different days.
On the days when I'm kneeling quietly, it would be nice to know that no one is going to dance by and trip over my head.
Flags can also be dangerous ... I've been hit on the head once or twice, and have probably caused others to duck as well!!!!
Sorry to sermonize on your blog!!!!!
Hey, if we're dividing into areas, maybe we should have a mosh pit.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mosh pit -
"totally righteous, dude!"
:)
oh good grief ... can't believe i actually typed that. but there it is ... in print.
as you were
"Knowing CF, people wouldn't pay attention to the lines anyway. We specialize in crossing lines!!!"
That's one of the things so many people love about CF.
I wouldn't know what the heck section to go to because often my expression of worship changes from moment to moment. By the time I got across the room to the right section, the moment might be lost and the next moment beginning, thus the need to then identify the appropriate section and head over that way.
I suppose we could do it - spirituality and aerobic exercise at the same time.
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