We’ve replaced their regular Sunday morning worship with Cafe Style Coffee House worship. Let’s see if they notice…
Well, it was a noticeable change. It has come back to me with mixed reviews. Some folk really “didn’t like the chaos of the service.” For some “it didn’t really feel like worship.” For some, “that’s not what I come to church for.”
Others have said they really enjoyed it. Folks from every generation commented how much they liked the “Pray-ground.” Children were able to participate in worship in a meaningful way.
The idea was to get people together, discuss religious/theological topics, and share a cup of coffee. I thought this could be done within the framework of worship. There were songs. There was a sermon. There was scripture. We had an offering and said the Lord’s Prayer. Yet, for some, it did not feel like worship.
The thing is- we have the opportunity to worship all day, every day. Jesus famously said, “where two or three are gathered…” So, couldn’t Jesus be with us when we sit around tables and enjoy a cup of fair trade coffee? Couldn’t Jesus be with us at the vineyard? Couldn’t Jesus be with us on the back nine? Where two or three are gathered…!
Worship happened. Maybe it didn’t feel like it–but it happened.
The thing that I loved the most was the fellowship. People were making connections. People were talking to other people they might not have unless they were forced into it during an awkward worship service. Yes, it was awkward. Yes, it was uncomfortable. Yes, it was chaos. Here is a huge biblical theme- “out of chaos, comes order.”
I am sorry if worship was unusual and uncomfortable. But we did something different. Maybe we’ll never do it again. Maybe we will do it again–but it won’t be at 10 am on a Sunday morning.
I want feedback. I want constructive criticism. I want to try new things. I want to encourage and engage. I want us to continue to listen to the Spirit calling us to be involved in meaningful ministry.
