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My last “big” thing of my sabbatical was a trip to Minneapolis yesterday to do a bunch of errands to places that we don’t have here in town (such as Trader Joe’s, Penzeys, and the MOA) and then, most importantly, to worship at Solomon’s Porch. “The Porch”, as it was called during the service last night, is what is known in church circles as an “emergent” church. Basically, it’s a congregation that is really doing “church” in some very new and blessed ways. They met in an old church building, but had gutted the sanctuary of most everything except the cross and the stained glass windows. All over the walls were pieces of art that were created by people within the community and there were 4 beautiful pieces of art (couldn’t tell if they were paintings or photographs) of a woman and her child. The seating was in the round with couches, easy chairs, etc that looked like they were thrift store purchases (this is not a negative – they were just all very comfy). They had a great sound system throughout as well as projection on each of the side walls. The community was incredibly welcoming as there were at least 6 or 7 people who warmly welcomed me to worship. I sat next to three people who really made me feel like I was at home in the worship experience that night. We were also welcomed into the worship experience with a bowl of holy water at the door to bless ourselves with.

In the sheets that I picked up when I came in, they had the most beautiful description of the role of children in worship. “…Please do not be bothered by babies making a little noise or crying a bit. You are welcome to use the baby room, but we find that crying babies remind us that it is good to take time to listen to one another cry – even during the ‘important’ times of life.”

I went to worship last night with a real sense of expectation. I had heard a lot about “emergent” services and I had a preconception that there would be some kind of “Damascus Road” experience (ironically, that was the passage that was the focus of the service). That did not happen per se. But what did happen was that I just felt at home in the midst of the community, in the style, and in the way that the community gathered. For a strong MBTI introvert, that is saying something. It really spoke to me at a very deep level – just the openness, flow, freedom, and the way that the community came together for worship. The strong focus on art as an expression of the interior lives of the community was really powerful for me too. Lauren, one of the people I sat near, talked of how they strongly encourage the openness of art by the whole community and that it is shared by the whole. I did not take advantage of these, but in the entry where there were many paintings and photographs, there were sketchpads and pencils for people to just use. I assume to draw, sketch, etc for themselves.

One of the worship leaders also spoke of the music. The community writes all their own music (samples here) and the worship leader (sorry, I forgot his name) said that anyone can write a song (lyrics or music) and submit it to the worship band and they will work it into the worship experience. I assume there is some kind of vetting process (maybe not too), but it was a real openness to what people have of God working in them.

It was a truly renewing and refreshing experience. While there are things of the experience that I hope to work into my ministry here, it was more than anything else a fitting way to end my sabbatical period – a reminder that I am God’s child, drowned in God’s amazing grace, and reliant upon all God is for who I am and what I do.