Emergent Brethren

We just finished the annual week of Vacation Bible School here in Modesto. It is one of the weeks that seems to take an incredible amount of time and energy to make happen, and all you need is a reason to cancel and save yourself from that prep time.

But then the week begins, and the kids arrive, and things start to happen, and you begin to get a glimpse of the growing possibilities for the kids and the adults who are making it happen. What a great week of activity center based growth in living and following in the Jesus way. We used as our base theme and materials Be Bold! God is with you by the Mennonites. Ten different activity centers encouraged us to think and try being bold. Being it repelling from the church roof (awesome), to sessions on prayer, breaking down walls that divide us as people, learning about our Prayer Shawl ministry and trying to knit, and of course the standard creative expressions in art. In 5 days, we all took steps to becoming bolder in our living for God. 25 minutes of worship, singing, and Bible story, and then 1 1/2 hours of time engaging one another and God.

Maybe that is the mix we should be striving for in our worship times on Sunday morning. 25 to 35 good minutes of gathering as God’s people, and an hour of good time interacting with each other and God that would bring us more fully into relationship and experience. I’m talking about more than a station folks could go to but a major reworking of time and experience. Not sure how or if we will get there, but it sure is interesting to dream about.

Shalom,

Russ

Been reading ”

It’s a very helpful book about discipleship and the connection of that to all that we do. I highly recommend it to you. The Big Idea is that we work in teams to plan the preaching, teaching, and events of the congregation around a BIG IDEA each week. The teams work 9 weeks out… so that there is lots of time to be creative and tweak the service. Coupled with the worship gathering, the BIG IDEA Team can develop the small group resources and children’s and youth minsitry resources to coincide with the week’s big idea. That way the entire church could be focussed in the same direction. This creates stimulated conversation between parents and children, other small group members, and participants in the life of the congregation. What a neat concept!

We already use a Worship Design Team approach to creatively designing and leading worship at Community of Joy. It’s a great help and lots of fun too! We have been able to add a freshness to our worship experience by utilizing the gifts, ideas, and input of several folks on a team. No longer is it just me that plans and designs the worship gathering. I highly recommend that to you also. I would be happy to share further if you have questions.