musings on the emerging church

wow - how to describe the worship for pentecost @ COTA. karen ward, pastor of this episcopal/lutheran emerging church plant, has stated that some call it digital orthodoxy and i think this is right on the money. in a small office front at 4301 fremont ave n, seattle, you encounter the living:room - the worship space for COTA and also used by the arts collective and other groups as a performance venue.

the space aint big - last night there were about 50 and it was comfortably full. there's a stage on a slight rise at one end with a large screen at 45o to it. the data projector is hidden on top of a light fitting well out of sight and is controlled at the back by a Mac laptop behind the front counter (along with the multi-track sound system). the space is wired so you can bring your computer along and be online or use the mac desktop sitting in one corner. there's plenty of fold away chairs, some small tables, a few couches and comfy chairs, cool lava lamps and specially designed lamps that look like flames. these surround a low set small table which was the altar, just in front of the stage off cnetre to the left. the altar was draped in material which run down to a smaller table that held a bible opened at the gospel for pentecost.

there's a fridge with sodas and beer next to the counter at the back, and opposite this is a table with filtered fair-trade coffee and pipping hot water for tea.

the atmosphere is warm and cosy. there is a large three panel icon off set on one wall and the other walls are covered with local art work by zappon. candles abound on most surfaces and the lighting is subtle.

the format of the worship is pretty standard (and ergo orthodox) in the sense that it follows the accepted four-part liturgical practice of :
1) gathering
2) scripture & sermon & prayers
3) sacrament
4) dismissal

however, the funky thing is the renaming of these elements. so you now have:
1) focus (which has a welcome and songs)
2) wisdom (scripture readings plus sermon - now called reverb)
3) fuel (breaking of the bread and communion)
4) movement (notices, final benediction and dismissal)

(as a side thought - i think the renaming has effects for two groups: those with a christian background are jarred out of a sleepy 'same old routine' by the fresh language, while those who just happen to wander in find a liturgy which on the surface seems to make sense of their culture - a double plus and something karen is especially good at - just check out the apostles site and see the description of what they are on about www.apostleschurch.org)

The band playing for the service is lead by lacey brown (www.laceybrown.com)and is tight. consists of lead, bass, drums, violin, bongo, flute, synth. music is edgey praise style. i'm lead to believe that each week lacey puts together a different combo. also the music would vary in style - some weeks dj's spinning tracts etc. the assembled body sings along.

after 'reverb' there is what is called 'open space'. a space for people to light a candle, write a prayer, say private prayers, meditate or grab a coffee whatever. the limited space makes it hard to move much however the concept is great.

communion prayer by karen is her own creation with touches of eastern orthodox liturgies - again, a fresh approach to language which dips into the rich heritage in an ecletic way without being forced or controlling.

analysis:

the use of multimedia is well incorporated into the liturgy in a way that makes it wallpaper and not 'gee wiz aint we cool'. the age of the people in mainly 20's and 30's with a few older. nice touch was having for pentecost the readings done in different languages, bosnian, german, chinese and american sign language. hospitality afterwards was great - 'gospel bird' aka fried chicken and free sodas.

this is a worship driven by a desire to be totally inculturated yet totally orthodox. the question facing this community like others is what happens when the group gets to a size when you stat to lose the intimacy of small numbers. also, the question of catechesis - ie is this a service for the disaffected christian or for those who happen to drop by without any background in the faith whatsoever. i think its for both but long term i think that is a question to be addressed.

would i go again - god yes - the community is alive to the spirit moving in seattle, has great leadership sensitive to incorporating the gifts of the community, open to creative impulses and yet committed to the faith of the apostles.

more insights to come...