Small Town alt.worship Breeds Ecumenism
November 8, 2003
Something I was just thinking about as I was driving through the dairies and fields of Wendell today. How can churches in rural, small towns build unity? When we invite other churches to our events, the other church can react with questions (why are they “really” inviting us?), fear (what happens if we end up “losing” our students to this other church) and competition.
But I have not found that to be true of .bE - our alt.worship (alternative worship) gathering we’ve been having in Wendell. We’ve only done it twice at my church in Wendell, once at a summer camp, and once at a retreat. But the two times we’ve done it in Wendell, we’ve brought together about 40-50 people from at least 13 denominations and from 8 different small towns around the Magic Valley. Something feels right about that. And perhaps it is alt.worship that will help breed unity and ecumenism among small town churches. When planned right, an alt.worship gathering can occur on a night that will not be seen as “competition” with other churches (we do .bE on Tuesday nights). This will also help with the church that is hosting the worship gathering - it will not be seen as an “alternative” to one of the other services - but “in addition to” the regular church services.
Or perhaps this is just my experience here in Wendell and it wouldn’t play out the same in other small town areas. I just know that .bE has put me in contact with and dialogue with 2 Reformed pastors (from different towns), an Orthodox priest, a few non-denominational pastors, a Calvary Chapel youth pastor, a Baptist pastor, a few Nazarene pastors and some others.
Any other thoughts on alt.worship and ecumenical ministry?
Tags: alt.worship, Alternative-Worship, Ecumenical-Ministry, Ecumenics
Posted in 
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
November 9th, 2003 at 2:56 pm
Hey Adam - I think you answered your own question. You weren’t “doing church”, you were worshipping (which occassionally happens as we “do church”). If it was a “churchy” thing it would be viewed as competition.
PS. How do you get your hair to grow so fast?
November 9th, 2003 at 3:25 pm
Mike — well, I suppose I did. I wonder if anyone else has any experience with this type of worship experience and ecumenism…
Sorry - the picture was from two years ago - I only *wish my hair could grow that fast.
November 10th, 2003 at 1:04 am
I am wondering about the theological positions of those attending, and therefore, about just how ecumenical it is. . . .
November 10th, 2003 at 7:48 am
hey adam…i do believe alternative worship is for everyone….and can easily cross denominational lines…
while cincy isn’t a small town…our sacred space service has included folks from all over town and many different churches…
folks are hungry for god encounters not just a time of sitting, singing, and coffee hour…
it’s amazing that jesus is doing alt stuff around the globe and in small town usa too! thanks to you! lilly
November 11th, 2003 at 1:30 am
In the now-obsolete “contemporary worship” scene, effort was being expended in transcending the “old” ways of worship (because the new was better) — but now, we realize that either/or scenarios don’t work for us. “Blended” worship is authentic and recognizes the good that many different styles (or “aeons”) have to offer. Blending ancient hymns, chorus chants and other alt worship selections will deepen us — and this cannot BUT unify us.