For example, I share with you the following from Karen Ward of the Apostles church of Seattle, Washington. This will give you a clear picture of the kind of change dynamic, emergent/postmodern churches are seeking.
For GOOD FRIDAY we are crossing over the 520 bridge to worship with one of our 'mother' churches, St. Thomas Episcopal in Medina, Washington.
Then we will throw our Easter Vigil (Saturday, March 26th, 8pm-1am) called 'RISE'. - rise is not a 'worship service' in the traditional/modern church sense (no sermons, bulletins, hymns, coffee hour, linear progression...) but a what we call a 'worship party,' a bash in honor of the risen Christ, open to saints and sinners, believers and non-believers and anyone from the 'highways and byways.' We don't throw this party to congratulate ourselves because we believe in Christ, but to give thanks to God because Christ believes in us, first loved us, gave up life for us, and rose to invite us all to become his friends and live his reign.
At worship parties we don't begin with a church service and add in cultural elements. But throw a real party at which Christ hosts, apostles tend bar and wait tables, and where anyone off the streets is welcomed to attend.
At this 'mother of all parties' we: pop corks (to tost {sic} the resurrection), feast to new life (with holy communion and high carb 'fat things'), toss darts at the devil (to show hell has been crushed), baptize new apostles (to give light to the righteous), install art, jam to bands, kick back with djs and party beyond 1999.
Now that sounds more like it! In fact, I'm going to draft a proposal for radical change along these lines at the Village church. Bar-tending, band jamming and DJ's -that sounds to me like the truest path to explosive growth!
So sit back and relax. I'll keep you posted with updates as to how these changes are impacting the Village church. In the meantime, remember...it's April Fools!
