Church Time

"Let us not give up meeting together..."
(Hebrews 10:25)

One piece of the clergy renewal program is to learn from other congregations. While three in-depth visits are planned in late June and July, "off weekends" now provide additional opportunities for additional visits. I'd like to give you a synopsis of places we worship at. I'll share things observed and things learned, as well as things I think others could learn from Trinity.

First Church Visit - April 29

Sunnybrook Community Church, Sioux City, Iowa

Things Observed:

1. Sunnybrook Community (SCC) is the new name for the old Morningside Reformed Church. They went through a painful time several years ago, with a group of people leaving MRC to form Peace Reformed. One result is that SCC is totally fixed on a common purpose (from their web site): Sunnybrook Community Church is a growing church that is committed to biblical and relevant teaching, celebrative worship, life-changing small groups and creative outreach. To be sure, Peace also shares a commong purpose and is doing quite well.

2. Today, SCC worships in 3 identical services (8:00, 9:30, and 11:00). Infants through pre-K are ministered to during each service. Children's Sunday School takes place during the 11:00 a.m. service, with many families attending the 9:30 service and sending their kids to SS at 11:00. We attended the 11:00 service, which was moderately full. Total worship attendance hovers around 1100.

3. Their new addition allows more room for children and youth and they have created a coffee bar experience for fellowship times after worship (and coffee cups are encouraged in worship).

4. Worship is straightforward and contemporary, and Pastor Jeff Moes preached an excellent message from Romans 7.

5. Most adult discipleship is emphasized through small group ministry.

6. Parking attendants help direct traffic flow :).

Things learned:

1. A commonly shared vision provides powerful synergy as it was clear all hands on deck were following Christ in a common direction. Such a vision will not be the same from church to church, but a common vision within each church is powerful indeed.

2. Although they added on, there was still quite a log jam of people mixing between services. Maybe they need more space.

3. Creating high-priority space for children seemed very wise.

4. If Trinity were to have 3 Sunday morning services, this would be one model to look at for times. The downside, of course, is concurrent Sunday School and worship for one of the services.

What might they learn from Trinity?

In visiting other places, one of things I think Trinity does very well is the human element. I think I know more what "Story-formed worship is" when I don't see it. That is, the power of the The Story of the Gospel has the most impact when it is shared communally in the stories of the congregation gathered, whether a testimony is shared or simply in the participation of many people. The way in which Trinity's worship leaders weave worship together so that it is one large piece of work instead of a collection of activities centered around a common theme is a powerful gift to the worship culture in our world.

Then again, perhaps it is a simple acknowledgement in my spirit that Trinity is experiencing something that I long for and resonate with.