England Trip-Worship Reflections
So I am finally getting around to sharing a little bit about the many different worship gatherings that we were a part of in jolly olde England. I figured out that we were at 9 total worship gatherings in our 13 days. The last Sunday the 20th we went to 4 gatherings. As I reflect back on the many expressions of worship, there were definitely ones that stood out and ones that didn't so much (at least for me). I don't want to be critical of any worship gatherings but I definitely felt a connection with some of the churches and a disconnect with others. I want to focus on the few that I really connected with.
The first Saturday when we got there we got to go to Grace (http://www.freshworship.org/). I had been looking forward to this gathering since before knowing about our study and trip. Jonny Baker, Jenny Baker (Jonny's wife) and Steve Collins were some of the leaders that we met and spent time with. They did a thing called Communion by Numbers and I have to say it was a great experience (at least for me). It allowed us to connect with others and have an intergal part in the gathering and not just sit passively by and watch the worship happen. We helped create the worship experience. Sometime in the future I plan to work on something very similiar for our Veritas Worship gathering.
The last worship gathering we were a part of was Headspace at Church.co.uk and theologically I resonated strongly with where they are. The night was a little different as they were focused on the Micah Challenge and wasn't as "alternative" as they normally are. The Micah Challenge is based on the text that says "Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before our God." They spent alot of time talking about global issues like AIDS, world hunger, poverty, and other social justice issues. So as an Anabaptist I truly resonated about being Christ's hands and feet in the world. What was great was that it wasn't divored from the need to base everything that we do (justice, etc..) in having a relationship with Christ. It was very evident that everything flowed from a personal encounter and journey with Christ.
Some other random thoughts:
Holy Trinity Brompton- I resonated with the Ancient/Future look of the gathering. Modern worship with Ancient backdrop (stained glass, mosaic, etc..)
Search- Varied approach to the fruits of the Spirit. Each person took a fruit of the spirit and expounded upon it using games, interactive elements, stories and narrative and not just a talking head approach. It was a very flat leadership structure. (something that we are seeking to be at Veritas)
That would be about it....
Would love to talk with anyone about more of my experience if interested.
The first Saturday when we got there we got to go to Grace (http://www.freshworship.org/). I had been looking forward to this gathering since before knowing about our study and trip. Jonny Baker, Jenny Baker (Jonny's wife) and Steve Collins were some of the leaders that we met and spent time with. They did a thing called Communion by Numbers and I have to say it was a great experience (at least for me). It allowed us to connect with others and have an intergal part in the gathering and not just sit passively by and watch the worship happen. We helped create the worship experience. Sometime in the future I plan to work on something very similiar for our Veritas Worship gathering.
The last worship gathering we were a part of was Headspace at Church.co.uk and theologically I resonated strongly with where they are. The night was a little different as they were focused on the Micah Challenge and wasn't as "alternative" as they normally are. The Micah Challenge is based on the text that says "Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before our God." They spent alot of time talking about global issues like AIDS, world hunger, poverty, and other social justice issues. So as an Anabaptist I truly resonated about being Christ's hands and feet in the world. What was great was that it wasn't divored from the need to base everything that we do (justice, etc..) in having a relationship with Christ. It was very evident that everything flowed from a personal encounter and journey with Christ.
Some other random thoughts:
Holy Trinity Brompton- I resonated with the Ancient/Future look of the gathering. Modern worship with Ancient backdrop (stained glass, mosaic, etc..)
Search- Varied approach to the fruits of the Spirit. Each person took a fruit of the spirit and expounded upon it using games, interactive elements, stories and narrative and not just a talking head approach. It was a very flat leadership structure. (something that we are seeking to be at Veritas)
That would be about it....
Would love to talk with anyone about more of my experience if interested.
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