Thursday, June 01, 2006
espresso anniversary
espresso is the Tuesday congregation at Opawa that has been celebrating it’s first birthday over the last few weeks. It started with a team of 4 and now has about 10 people. (for more on espresso’s history go here) It’s been an experiment in planting an emerging church within an existing church and in valuing community-in-discussion for spiritual formation.
After 2 weeks of evaluation through May; including questions like – What was the original idea/intention/purpose of Expresso? What has worked? what do people like about expresso? What has been difficult or could work better? Ideas about the format/structure/time/place? Size of the group/absences/sustainability/place for growth of the group? Unexplored areas to be incorporated? What/Is their a role of corporate prayer/bible reading/singing worship and other traditional aspects of church? Is it church? – we cut the cake and listed our highlights of the year. In no particular order;
Worship: Anne’s line-dancing “ending”: “It was a cracker!”
Worship: Simon’s U2 Record (vinyl) ending: (love rescue me)
Worship: The tent with Fat Freddy’s Drop
Thinking: food and vegetarianism debate(s): Jesus and food.
Thinking: Karen’s input
Community: Rockclimbing team building/nurturing
Thinking: Can God heal all relationships? discussion
)
Would you mind if I “off lined” with you about this? We’re starting an “emerging church within a church” this fall and would really appreciate some first hand wisdom. You can email me if you wouldn’t mind when you get the chance.
Comment by Makeesha — June 1, 2006 @ 1:17 pm
sure, question away. I am writing an article on this for a church ministry journal at the moment, so your questions will help me think and process.
Comment by steve — June 1, 2006 @ 2:58 pm
thanks, oh and congratulations by the way 🙂
Comment by Makeesha — June 1, 2006 @ 4:54 pm