Unconference- Encouraging a Spiritual Experience
Unconference- October 7, 2007
Group A: Things to do to encourage a spiritual experience at The Journey
*How can we make an environment that encourages spiritual connections?
*What works for people?
1) Deeper allowed spiritual connections
a. Deeper- A 2 hour worship experience that dived deeper into the word, had communion
What if every service was like that?
Ideas: Maybe have something like this on a Saturday to foster spiritual connections on Sunday
2) Does a “Deeper” type experience overwhelm new people?
a. I think that there is a myth that we need to apologize to the seekers and in that myth we don’t give people the real deal, bring Jesus into this place, that what the seeker wants
b. If you don’t have the chance to go to the Deeper service you feel cheated
3) Understanding the truth of scripture
a. Get to know what Jesus is after and all about
b. Don’t hide what it is we are all about
c. Invite people to see scripture through another lens
4) Prayer and reading scripture should be at the core of what we do
a. Can we do this as a group before church, in between church or during church?
b. People who read scripture in church should be comfortable knowledge and model reading it- authenticity
5) Sharing testimonies is a powerful presentation method
6) Worship team
a. “it is a bit much, has a concert feel to it, maybe simplify, make it singable, less of a performance and wrapping it into the message, slow and fast variety, incorporate silence and reflection
b. help the more reverent hearted tap into it
7) Prayer needs
a. How can we incorporate the time for silence
b. Have option for people to pray for you during the worship experience
c. Have option to pray alone in silence available every Sunday (prayer corner)
d. Pray more corporately- are we intentional in the service to pray for other’s situations- people can come to another’s aide
i. Can we verbally share and be prayed for during the worship experience so the church as a whole is aware of the needs and concerns of the church family
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Apply this...
to our topic for Sunday “how do you connect with God?” this is being discussed over under the SUNDAYS tab (see home page)….
I’m looking for meaningful experience, teachings, poetry, ideas about how to connect with people seeking spiritual truth.. from the discussion.. .how can it feel like Deeper - but not be overwhelming / odd for people who might not be ready for extended ‘deeper like’ worship times…
deeper
A full deeper thing might be overwhelming to the production team in terms of the work involved but I really wonder if it would be overwhelming or odd for newcomers… I personally don’t think so… I think we underestimate the spiritual hunger of people in our community… thoughts from others? Vintage Faith in Santa Cruz does a “deeper” kind of thing every Sun PM and I have met a number of people there who visited for the first time and had little or no faith background and they loved it… they are nearly always packed out.