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New Directions
(A note from Terry Brewer)
This Sunday marks a new direction for WeHoChurch. For 10 great years, our approach has been "If you build it, they will come." To this end, we've produced Sunday services that were both entertaining and spiritually challenging. Along with heartfelt worship and insightful lessons, we've presented "Top 10" lists, short films, comedy sketches, guest celebrities, drag queens, live animals, dramatic readings and, in the words of one church member, a band that kicks ass. The crowd we sough came in droves with many of you staying to make WeHoChurch your family.
At a recent "Quaker" style service, we sat in silence and waited until someone felt impressed to share. And share you did. I was amazed at the insights and encouragements that passed between those present. I quickly realized that I was not the only person
who should be teaching the WeHoChurch family.
The lessons, thoughts, feelings and uncertainties expressed were as timely as anything I might have said. Since that time I have sought to facilitate
more such interaction.
So our approach goes from
production to connection, from show to share,
from being entertained to being real. All for the purpose of being genuine, sharing ourselves and connecting with each other and God.
Let me address a few concerns
that have been voiced:
Q: Will our time together still be fun?
A: Yes, of course. No one is going to check his irreverence or sense of humor at the door.
The idea is to be genuine not somber.
Q: If I'm shy, do I have to share?
A: Nope, not at all. If you prefer to sit quietly
and listen to others then you are being genuine.
Q: Are we supposed to bring visitors?
A: You can if you like. The goal is for our family
to connect with each other and God but I think visitors will get it. And certain ones will want to participate.
Q: Isn't there a risk that we might stray
from our religious beliefs?
A: God, I HOPE SO. This is the whole idea.
To learn and grow from each other as we navigate
life and our faith experiences.
For those of you who have attended services during the past couple of months, this change will not be so noticeable. In deed, we have already taken steps toward sharing and learning from each other. The real change will be felt by leaders who must now prepare for openness and authenticity rather than PowerPoint and skits. I suspect we will drop celebrity walk-ons and Top 10 lists for a while. Worship and music will remain but perhaps with a little less flash: Whatever it takes to get real and connect with each other and God.
Having said all this, the new approach sounds more like a production than our old service. Still I needed to explain in writing what I have in mind. So lets relax, hang out, join in, or not so much, and we'll see where this takes us. We have such an amazing church family… a little quality time will be good for us.
- Terry
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