A new church service order?

Instead of having very distinct times for songs, then a sermon, then a closing song and prayer---could we mix it all up to help people experience God in a different, maybe more personal, way??? Do things have to be portioned so much?

For example, could a song be playing with some images (or icons) on the screen when the pastor (or whomever) reads a few Scriptures? Then, there would be time for people to meditate on those Scriptures & perhaps journal some thoughts on the back of the bulletin. At a cetain points, we could still sing corporately. A few discussion questions could come up on the sidescreens for people to either write about or talk with a few people about. Then, the pastor/facilitator could giude the discussion a little. Show a video? Another song? Take communion? More quiet time . . . I think providing space for quiet reflection should be a staple of any church service. Can we ever get too much of that in our life? Have a short role-play or drama? I do not understand the segmentation of everything every time.

I'm not advocating for disorder or to not have a certain text for the Service. I do think we can get into the text in different ways other than to hear thirty straight minutes of what someone else thinks about it. I think we can do a much better job of creating environments that allow people to hear from and experience God. We do not learn by only listening. We are changed by experiences. I honestly cannot usually remember what someone talked about last week or even--last night. I do remember the experiences I've had in church services where there was space for me to have one. We have all these gifts to wisely steward as we determine service order. Let's not settle for less than our best in helping people hear from, see, and get to know Christ. The elements of a church service should serve that end, not get in the way of it by regimenting and segmenting. Who are we to judge exactly how and when someone should experience God's presence or communicaiton?

I hear it all the time:
"In a room this size,
There must be this or that."

In a room this size,
Is the room enough for me?

In a room this size,
Can there really be

Room enough for those
whom often aren't seen?

In a room this size
What do expect to see?

Can we really ever know
what lies in hearts and minds?

In a room this size
How many is that?

Does it have to be hundreds?
How about just you and me?

In a room this size
do I feel safe or similar?

How do I know that there
are others just like me?

In a room this size
Will it be alright?

Can I find God
Who will shine the light?

In a room this size
Will I matter at all?

So many problems
How can I recall?

In a room this size
Will me get lost in we?

How can I know that
others hear or see?

In a room this size
Will my pain feel small?

I need someone
willing to call

In a room this size
where do I fit?

Lots of faces and chairs
None invite me to sit

In a room this size
Do I have a part to play?

I'm not sure where to turn
Not sure what to say

In a room this size
I somehow feel alone

Thousands of people
will someone hear my groan?

In a room this size
does that make it seem alright?

Perhaps my burden
should feel more light

In a room this size
Eyes pass over me

Lots of looks
so few really see

In a room this size
they expect me to fit

Is there a space
for me to find "it"

what I've been missing
since before I can recall

In a room this size
to whom do I call?

No one knows me
It feels like the mall

When I'm at wits end
with nothing to lose

I really need connection
not the latest news

I need to see real
not the flashing lights

Will you find a space for me
I can't find my way at night?

Will you giude me and love me
and slowly return my sight?

there's too much to miss
in a room this size

Too many stories
too many lies

I do not know the facts
about a room this size.

Maybe it's different
maybe we'll realize

that regardless of numbers
or the crowds that we see

People are hungry, broken
they need to be free.

In a room this size, is there room enough in me
to not turn away from the people I see?
could I offer my self in new scary ways?
Will we ever reach the deeper things
that anomynity betrays?

Can we make it feel small
though the numbers are many?
should we talk to them all
or simply use the excuse
that in a room this size
there isn't any use

Create space for them, vaue them
and see them as unique
We love them, notice them
and give them a seat

There's room in God's heart
for all that would seek
In a room this size
is there room enough in me?

does my heart ever get full
of people other than myself?
is it time to take some old beliefs
off of the shelf?

There's room for you
in my Father's house
sit here, listen, and hear from Him
i think he's saying that in a room this size,
i hope that you'll stay.

you are safe here; I love you
albeit hundreds, dozens, or three
in a room this size
you'll always find me

Reading . . . . . .Drinking . . . . . . Loving . . . . . Thinking . . . . . . Walking . . . . . . Nodding . . . . . . . Reading . . . .. . .

I am so heavy-hearted with my place at Willow Creek. I can barely sit through services there. I perceive so little difference between what is supposed to be a deeper level, "believer's" service on Wednesday nights and the weekend services which have historically been 'seeker sensitive.' Now that Scripture is read, songs are particpatory, and Bibles are opened on Sunday mornings, shouldn't there be a corresponding shift occurring on the Midweek format? In other words, if the weekends are responding to felt differences in the openness of people to more traditional means of worship and study, then musn't there be strides to enhance the experience of God on Wednesdays? Shouldn't there be some corresponding reaction? How can one change and the other remain static? I have the hardest time connecting with Christ during the hour or so allotted during either day of the week. I'm listless, bored, and tired of being offered merely more good advice in the form of yet another, multi-point, too-polished, impersonal, scripted, sermon that mostly just lets me know what someone I respect thinks about the Scriptures or some aspect of faith. I know that I'm at Willow for a reason. I am scared that that reason is to help transition us from mega to meta.
We have a growing Latino congregation that we relegate to the chapel for their services. My wife had a great idea: let's give them the new, fancy auditorium. Let's serve them instead of making them sit at the back of the bus. We've accommodated them poorly in my opinion.
I cannot put into words the torn feelings I have about where I am. I serve wholeheartedly because of my strong convictions about the mission of the Church. I love the relationships God has blessed me with through the on-campus activities of which I am a part. However, I feel like that is where the connectivity ends for me. The services are super-programed. The messages are just that: messages. There is little story, little space, and little prayer. I think we do a good job with the "Apostle's teaching" part of Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
I think that bringing in Frazee will help with the "fellowship" and "the breaking of bread" activities. Maybe that's part of it: all the activities. I'm missing the focus on prayer--in my daily life and on campus. So often, this may be due to my consideration of prayer as an activity when really it involves the opposite, doesn't it? Inactivity: how do we create that? "A house of prayer."
[Isa. 56:7; Matt. 21:13] Are we calling for it? Are we setting aside enough service time and space for this most-important, vital avenue to the Throne? Are we bold enough to be quiet enough? Why can't there be corporate silence? Corporate fasting? Where's the challenges that made me stick around four years ago?
There's a lot being written about the reclamation of the missional church and the Starbuck's model of creating experiences and the many reasons why young people find themselves disillusioned with institutionalized "church."
"An Hour on Sunday," unfortunately, has inhaled too many resources and failed to be the place where people genuinely encounter the presence of God, exhaling pretense, or express questions and doubts. It's the convincing hour, the presentation hour, the show. It's a great show, but show me Jesus. I'm glad that I get to see him on Mondays helping & loving kids. I am sad that I have trouble spotting him in the auditorium on Sundays and Wednesdays. Maybe there are too many people in the way--too many people out in front, drowning out his voice with microphones and his image with spotlights. The disciples tried to prevent the little ones from approaching the Savior. No time, they said. Too busy. The show must go on. Jesus disagreed--big time. Have we hindered folks from approaching the Son of God? Is there too much interference? Shouldn't a church service be the one place where there isn't? The curtain was torn, remember? Have we sewn it back together? Tear up the script and tear at my heart. Real is always relevant, as one wise man wrote recently.
Maybe fewer multi-sites and more Jesus sightings? What place have we given him in all our grand plans, models, and programming? Is there any room for him in there? I seem to recall he's been through this "There's no room" deal before . . .
I hope it isn't happening again.
I am going to stick around to find out.