ReVision Visions « Emmanuel’s “Let’s Talk”

Archive for the ‘ReVision Visions’ Category

Preference for Traditional Church Architecture

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

A recent issue of Christian Century (June 17, 2008) reported that by a ratio of 2 to 1, unchurched Americans prefer churches that look more like medieval cathedrals to the modern, utilitarian church facilities currently being constructed. This preference for the Gothic is even more pronounced among people between the ages of 25 and 34.

At Emmanuel, we found something similar in the Context survey and ReVision report. Although people in the community around us tend to prefer contemporary worship and music, they also tended to prefer more traditional architecture.

Pastor Jaster.

Posted in ReVision Visions | 1 Comment »

Saturday Evening Worship

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

One of our members suggests that we start holding a Saturday evening service at 4:30 p.m. That person’s point is that not every one can come on Sunday morning and that this would be a opportunity for additional outreach.

This suggestion is being discussed by both our Worship & Music and Strategic Planning Ministries.

Asking around, some pastors have told us that their Saturday afternoon services do indeed reach some people that they wouldn’t have otherwise. One pastor spoke in terms of 40% new people at that one service. They also tell us that it is very draining on a single pastor and that it works best in multiple staff situations or in situations in which lay people also take turns in leading the service.

What do think? What do you think would be the potential for a Saturday afternoon service at Emmanuel? What do you think would be the best format and leadership arrangement? Would such a service be of an interest to you?

What would be some of the “costs” involved”? What would be some of the “benefits”?

Ask around to churches similar to ours who have Saturday night services. See what their experience is.

Help us sort this suggestion out.

Pastor Paul Jaster

Posted in Ideas & Suggestions, ReVision Visions, Worship Matters | No Comments »

Youth, say we Use the Stage…

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Okay, say we use the stage (see previous post of youth’s desires) as a special place for youth. The church council already gave their blessing to this option several years ago & the choir said that they could move some of their stuff upstairs & the walls need some plaster work and repairs.

Okay, say all this happens.

What would you suggest? How could we arrange and equip the stage for youth?

What kind of stuff could you see being up there?
What kind of equipment would you need?
How might the space be arranged and used?

Post some ideas and let us know. A good time to talk about this is right now as a three-year vision and a one year action plan is made.

Pastor Paul Jaster

Posted in "My Space" for Teens, ReVision Visions | No Comments »

Three Desires from our Youth

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Two members from our Strategic Planning Ministry met with our Youth last week to get their ideas about our common future.

Three key desires came up:

1) Space: A place in our church building to call their own. I hear they have eyes on the stage.

2) Teen Time in Worship: A place in our worship that is genuine to them. A place for their music (they like the traditional, but they would like to include some contempory, too. And they think that our worship is too exclusively geared to adults and little kids. They would like something like a “children’s sermon” that is a “teen sermon,” that is, a moment in worship that is neither too juvenile or over their heads.

3) Service Projects: They like being helpful and would like to do service projects. As someone said, they don’t have much money to give, but they can give time.

What are some ways we can make these desires happen?

Pastor Paul Jaster

Posted in "My Space" for Teens, ReVision Visions, Worship Matters | No Comments »