We had every intention of taking this week off. We'd taken a trek to the coast for the weekend for a little b-day rest-n-relaxation but Randy started getting a little thirsty for our project. We'd laid out a couple of options for the coming weeks, but with the drive ahead of us we knew we'd need to aim for a Sunday evening option. Without the list in our hands we drew an easy conclusion - The Table (thetablepdx.com). The Table actually has 3 campuses and we were pretty sure the evening service was somewhere on Stafford. Wrong. Thankfully I had my trusty iphone to help navigate. We were able to make it to the 4:00 service at the N. Campus. It meets at Emmanuel Temple.
There's just something about a place where people are willing to warmly greet you from the parking lot. We like that. Even at the door it was clear there were joyful people here. Similar to some churches we've visited the room seemed somewhat empty until things began - then we had trouble finding the chairs in the back we had hoped to sneak in to. Bummer. Ah well ...
One thing that sets The Table apart is their mid-service break. It might have actually been 12 minutes and 34 seconds, I'm not really sure, but it was long enough to actually have a bit of a conversation with the people around you (more than the obligatory and often awkward 'good morning, my name is _____'.)
Creative Arts Pastor, Jason Barnes taught an impassioned and challenging message from Colossians, Does our knowing Jesus and the gospel message stir us to overwhelming gratitude? It's good news - after all!
We loved the worship and the warmth of this fellowship and trust God's rich blessing on them! We hear rumor of a possible Vancouver campus in the future. We'll be praying for the potential there!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Week 3 - October 18, 2009 - The Evergreen Community
Here we are on the 3rd week of our weekly move around the Greater Portland area keeping our eyes peeled and our hearts open to what God is doing. This week we were reminded at the diversity of the Portland area and also of the list that we've been compiling and although we haven't exactly made a science of the order we're moving in, it occurred to us that it might be a benefit to mix things up a bit.
With that said, this week we so looked forward to joining the Everygreen Community at their Quimby location (Lucky Lab Pub on NW Quimby & 20th - evergreenlife.org/ ) Known as a convergent church by some - or as emerging by others - this body of followers of Christ warmly greeted us and we very much felt a welcome part of their fellowship. After grabbing a cup of coffee we sat and enjoyed the company of those around us before the service started with a thought provoking introduction then moved pretty quickly into an interactive style of teaching about doubt as Pastor Bob Wyatt took a look into John 11.
Both Randy and I were taken back by the warm tone as some there was room for some to pause to ask for clarification and others were vulnerable enough to share their struggles. It was intimate without being intrusive and engaging without being forceful.
Quote: "Doubt unchecked and unchallenged soon turns to despair." Doubt can be instructive - pushing you to seek truth or deconstructive - moving you to be cynical & paralyzed.
The message in itself gave much to consider - but the thoughtful interaction gave us so much to continue to think about even after we left.
The message of living in community and of living out faith in our communities was seen as well as heard. Beautiful.
We can't not say something about the worship. Our oldest son's friend Seth led worship. We've always known he had a tender heart and love for the Lord. He led worship - and by that I mean he led us in worship. We were blessed.
With that said, this week we so looked forward to joining the Everygreen Community at their Quimby location (Lucky Lab Pub on NW Quimby & 20th - evergreenlife.org/ ) Known as a convergent church by some - or as emerging by others - this body of followers of Christ warmly greeted us and we very much felt a welcome part of their fellowship. After grabbing a cup of coffee we sat and enjoyed the company of those around us before the service started with a thought provoking introduction then moved pretty quickly into an interactive style of teaching about doubt as Pastor Bob Wyatt took a look into John 11.
Both Randy and I were taken back by the warm tone as some there was room for some to pause to ask for clarification and others were vulnerable enough to share their struggles. It was intimate without being intrusive and engaging without being forceful.
Quote: "Doubt unchecked and unchallenged soon turns to despair." Doubt can be instructive - pushing you to seek truth or deconstructive - moving you to be cynical & paralyzed.
The message in itself gave much to consider - but the thoughtful interaction gave us so much to continue to think about even after we left.
The message of living in community and of living out faith in our communities was seen as well as heard. Beautiful.
We can't not say something about the worship. Our oldest son's friend Seth led worship. We've always known he had a tender heart and love for the Lord. He led worship - and by that I mean he led us in worship. We were blessed.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Week 2 - October 11, 2009 - Village Baptist Church
We debated a bit over where to land this week. Ideally we'd grid the city and shift into different areas over the course of each week. However, I'd heard from a coworker at Western Seminary about the new building at Village Baptist and my curiosity was peeked. We had 3 service options - 5:30 Sat or 8:30 & 10:30 on Sunday morning. Again - without a need to arrive early and already having plans for Saturday evening - that 10:30 hour looked mighty attractive! So, again - the trek from Gresham to the west side!
Village Baptist Church (vbconline.org) has a unique dynamic on a couple of different fronts. In addition to offering a variety of services (a worship gathering with a band, a worship service with choir & organ, & an emerging service) it also shows visibly their commitment to ethnic diversity.
On entering the campus we were guided to our parking space and then used some ingenuity to find our way upstairs to the main gathering place. The building is incredible - most notable - a large artistic portion of scripture woven together in several languages. It's truly beautiful.
There was a crowd. Quite a crowd - really. We've been in church long enough to understand the between-service crunch. We made our way from the hub of activity to the gathering room and were stunned by the contrast. It was quiet. Real quiet. We weren't really quite sure how to take it in initially - we're used to making the people around us feel welcomed. Ah ... then our eyes fell to the screen and we took note that this was preparation time. Ok - we can do that. Be still. Yes - this is good.
The worship team for this particular service was clearly talented and vibrant. A contrast to the quiet, to be sure! The speaker was Dr. Joseph D'souza - who shared a powerful message of compassion, hope and challenge as he shared about the poor and outcast. (see dalitnetwork.org or dalitchild.com) We were reminded - so little can do so much. Yes - many applications. Jesus cares about the poor, the outcast, the blind, broken and imprisoned. He was sent to bind their wounds, heal, set them free ... (so are we!)
Summary: Village Baptist very much appears to be a church with a global view - not just in other countries, although that is true - but for people groups, no matter where they are. This can't be missed when you visit.
Noteworthy feature: The new building has a feature I haven't seen before or heard of that intrigued us much. They have 4 stations on the perimeter of the room where the service takes place. In each of those are places to meet the Lord in relationship. 1) communion, 2) a bowl to wash hands (with thought filled guidance offered in print if you were to choose) and 3) a journal along with candles (light indicating truth in darkness). The stations were mentioned during the service but it wasn't until after the service Randy and I poked around to check them out (we knew little of them). So private and personal. Seriously great. Praying for you at Village.
Village Baptist Church (vbconline.org) has a unique dynamic on a couple of different fronts. In addition to offering a variety of services (a worship gathering with a band, a worship service with choir & organ, & an emerging service) it also shows visibly their commitment to ethnic diversity.
On entering the campus we were guided to our parking space and then used some ingenuity to find our way upstairs to the main gathering place. The building is incredible - most notable - a large artistic portion of scripture woven together in several languages. It's truly beautiful.
There was a crowd. Quite a crowd - really. We've been in church long enough to understand the between-service crunch. We made our way from the hub of activity to the gathering room and were stunned by the contrast. It was quiet. Real quiet. We weren't really quite sure how to take it in initially - we're used to making the people around us feel welcomed. Ah ... then our eyes fell to the screen and we took note that this was preparation time. Ok - we can do that. Be still. Yes - this is good.
The worship team for this particular service was clearly talented and vibrant. A contrast to the quiet, to be sure! The speaker was Dr. Joseph D'souza - who shared a powerful message of compassion, hope and challenge as he shared about the poor and outcast. (see dalitnetwork.org or dalitchild.com) We were reminded - so little can do so much. Yes - many applications. Jesus cares about the poor, the outcast, the blind, broken and imprisoned. He was sent to bind their wounds, heal, set them free ... (so are we!)
Summary: Village Baptist very much appears to be a church with a global view - not just in other countries, although that is true - but for people groups, no matter where they are. This can't be missed when you visit.
Noteworthy feature: The new building has a feature I haven't seen before or heard of that intrigued us much. They have 4 stations on the perimeter of the room where the service takes place. In each of those are places to meet the Lord in relationship. 1) communion, 2) a bowl to wash hands (with thought filled guidance offered in print if you were to choose) and 3) a journal along with candles (light indicating truth in darkness). The stations were mentioned during the service but it wasn't until after the service Randy and I poked around to check them out (we knew little of them). So private and personal. Seriously great. Praying for you at Village.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Week 1 - October 4, 2009 - Greater Portland Bible Church
The first week of our quest to see what God is doing in the City of Portland started at Greater Portland Bible Church (pdxchurch.org). Driving across town from Gresham could be a challenge on some mornings - although arriving at the 11 o'clock service was nice. We found traffic light and only wrestled mildly with our inability to arrive early to set up for worship team rehearsal!
We were warmly greeted at the door and found the area outside of the primary gathering area was spacious yet cozy with warm colors and furnishings. Randy and I poked around a little bit before recognizing a friendly face. We were introduced to a nice couple who offered to sit with us. We're pretty comfortable in most settings but I can see where offering to tag on with someone for the morning would be a nice thing for some. We all want to feel connected, after all.
We learned that the worship guy is relatively new and this was acoustic week. We really liked the warmth and sincerity of the team that lead. We worshipped. It's so great to have that offering when visiting.
The pastor (Todd Morrison) spoke out of Acts 2 - Defining Moments. We really appreciated being led to consider the early church - the people, the mystery and miracles - the transformation that occurred among them. We both took note that although things were happening within the church there were reminders beyond ... accounts of telling, action, change. The church had a great reputation. It sure seems Morrison has a desire for Greater Portland to have the same as he spoke of "looking for awe and wonder in and around us."
So - in way of summary: Greater Portland seems to be a church that wants to impact and build up people for Christ - in their church ... but also beyond it. We heard that desire GPBC and we'll be praying for you!
We were warmly greeted at the door and found the area outside of the primary gathering area was spacious yet cozy with warm colors and furnishings. Randy and I poked around a little bit before recognizing a friendly face. We were introduced to a nice couple who offered to sit with us. We're pretty comfortable in most settings but I can see where offering to tag on with someone for the morning would be a nice thing for some. We all want to feel connected, after all.
We learned that the worship guy is relatively new and this was acoustic week. We really liked the warmth and sincerity of the team that lead. We worshipped. It's so great to have that offering when visiting.
The pastor (Todd Morrison) spoke out of Acts 2 - Defining Moments. We really appreciated being led to consider the early church - the people, the mystery and miracles - the transformation that occurred among them. We both took note that although things were happening within the church there were reminders beyond ... accounts of telling, action, change. The church had a great reputation. It sure seems Morrison has a desire for Greater Portland to have the same as he spoke of "looking for awe and wonder in and around us."
So - in way of summary: Greater Portland seems to be a church that wants to impact and build up people for Christ - in their church ... but also beyond it. We heard that desire GPBC and we'll be praying for you!
The Assignment
My husband, Randy and I are both wildly committed to the church.
We've had quite a journey in our own church experience. Randy comes from a Catholic background and I go way back with Conservative Baptists. But in more recent years, probably more than either of us would like to admit, we've had our thinking challenged and found that God and life with Him isn't as easily explained as we were sometimes led to believe. Odd as it may seem, we're okay with that. Somehow our faith has expanded by putting it in One who is so far beyond us.
We've both been involved in ministry in a variety of contexts but it wasn't until just a few weeks ago that we found ourselves church homeless again. We're not without community - just without a building, as some might consider church in the formal sense. After pondering what to do with this strange dilemma we both came to realize we'd been given a passion about a strange but peace filled assignment.
So - here it is: Although we haven't been given the amount of time - we'll be visiting churches in and around the Portland Metro area looking for indications of what God is doing. We're so excited to see similarities and differences - for strains of the Almighty in our midst.
Randy probably put it best one morning when he said this, "If the church is the bride of Christ, then we're kind of like wedding crashers." Well, I don't know if we're crashing weddings, per se, since the wedding feast is yet to come. Maybe we're more like wedding rehearsal dinner crashers. At any rate - we're not church hopping. We're intentionally looking for God in the City of Portland. We're praying as we go. Eager to share what is revealed ...
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