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ReimaginingWorship:FindingGodinWhatWeLoveTheRev.DenaCleaver‐Bartholomew

“Letthepeoplespraiseyou,OGod;letallthepeoplespraiseyou.”(Psalm67:5NRSV)

PeopleoffaitharedrawntoworshipGod,praisingtheOnewhocreatedthem

andblessedthemwithlife.AugustinebeginshisfamousConfessionsbydeclaringof

man:“Thethoughtofyoustirshimsodeeplythathecannotbecontentunlesshe

praisesyou,becauseyoumadeusforyourselfandourheartsfindnopeaceuntil

theyrestinyou.”1ChristianscometogetherastheBodyofChristtopraiseand

worshipGod;tolearnfromScriptureandtraditionsoftheChurch;toshareinthe

HolyEucharistandprayers;andtobuildcommunity.Goodworshipnotonlyattains

thesegoals,italsopreparesChristianstogointotheworldandliveaswitnessesto

theirfaith.AsJamesK.A.Smithsays,“Thecapital‐LLiturgyofSundaymorning

shouldgeneratelowercase‐lliturgiesthatgovernourexistencethroughouttherest

oftheweek.”2

Manypriestsandpastorsfindthemselvesinaconundrumwhenworship

servicesseemtobesuccessfulintheSundaymorningsetting,yetdonotappearto

generatethedesiredweekdayconnection.Thismaybeespeciallyfrustratingwhen

participationisminimalinministriessuchasBiblestudyandChristianFormation,

whicharedesignedtoenhancethecorrelationsbetweenChurchonSundayand

everydaylife.ManyparishionersarethereforeminimallyfamiliarwiththeBibleand1SaintAugustine,Confessions,trans.R.S.Pine‐Coffin(Middlesex,England:PenguinBooks,1961),1.2JamesK.A.Smith.YouAreWhatYouLove:TheSpiritualPowerofHabit(GrandRapids:BrazosPress,2016),113.

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basicChristianhistory,theology,andpractice,aswellaswithconceptsofspiritual

giftsorpractices.Themaylacktheknowledgeandconfidencenecessarytoliveout

theirfaithfully,eitherinChurchministriesorintheireverydaylives.

Project:Theprojectwastocreatethematicworshipeventsthatintegratean

alternativeworshipservicewithChristianFormation,areofferedasacomplement

totraditionalworship,aredevelopedandledbylaypeople,andaregivena

frameworkbythepriestorpastor.Eachworshipeventisbasedinasubjectthe

groupoflayleaderslove,andinwhichtheyfindaconnectionwiththeHolyintheir

everydaylives.

ProjectTheoryandDesign:

1.Theconceptwasthatanalternativeservicewould“…changethecultureofthe

Churchwithoutdamagingwhatisalreadygood,”3therebyresultingin

transformation.Theprocesswasdesignedto:engagelaypeopleinidentifying

somethingtheyloved;helpthemeitheraffirmorshifttheirperceptionofthatfacet

oftheirlivesasaplacewheretheyencounterGod;provideauniquecontextin

whichtheycouldoffertheirexperienceinaworshipevent;integrateworshipand

Christianformationinawaythatwaslayled,attractedtheinterestofothers,and

revitalizedtheirfaith,particularlyasitislivedonaneverydaybasis.Theworship

eventswerenamedFindingGodIn…tohighlightthemyriadwaysinwhichpeople

mightencounterGodintheireverydaylives.

3WesleydeSouza,conversationwithauthor,August15,2016.

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BecauseFindingGodIn…wouldbeofferedinadditiontothetraditional

Sundaymorningworshipservice,itwasdesignedtocomplementratherthan

competewithit.PeoplecouldcontinuetobegroundedinworshipthatincludesThe

HolyEucharistaccordingtoTheBookofCommonPrayerandmusicprimarilyfrom

TheHymnal1982,whilealsoattendingorleadinganoccasionalalternativeworship

eventdesignedtocreateaclearunderstandingofhowtheymightliveouttheirfaith

duringtherestoftheweek.Byhavinglaypeopleleadtheworshipevent,itwould

demonstratethemanywaysinwhichordinarytalents,abilities,andinterestscould

beunderstoodasspiritualpracticesandusedtodeepenfaith,glorifyGod,andreach

others.TheideaofhavingFindingGodIn…serveasacomplementtotraditional

worshipwasthatitcouldbuildontothestrengthsalreadypresentintheworshipof

thecommunity,andenhancetheareasofChristianFormation,dailydiscipleship,

spiritualpractices,andleadership,therebyleadingtooverallrevitalization.

NotedanthropologistAnthonyF.C.Wallaceintroducedtheconceptof

“revitalizationmovements”asauniformfivestepprocessthroughwhichcultural

systemsarechanged.Wallacedefinesarevitalizationmovementasa“deliberate,

organized,consciouseffortbymembersofasocietytoconstructamoresatisfying

culture.”4AccordingtoWallacetheslightlyoverlappingstagesoftheprocessare

first,aSteadyState,inwhichthetechniquesusedbyacultureformeetingtheneeds

ofitspeopleworkwithoutunduestressonindividuals;second,aPeriodof

IncreasedIndividualStress,inwhichthecultureisnolongerabletomeetneeds4AnthonyF.C.Wallace,“RevitalizationMovements,”DynamicsinReligion,reading29(March2013):421,accessedJanuary28,2017,http://hiebertglobalcenter.org/blog/wp‐content/uploads/2013/03/Reading‐29‐Anthony‐Wallace‐Revitalization‐Movements.pdf.

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withoutsignificantstressbeingexperiencedbyagrowingnumberofindividuals;

third,aPeriodofCulturalDistortion,duringwhichongoingstressoverunmetneeds,

theinabilityofcurrenttechniquestoaddressthesituation,andanxietyoverthe

possibleneedforchangecreatesavarietyofconflictingresponses;fourth,aPeriod

ofRevitalization;andfifth,aReturntoaSteadyState.Inorderforrevitalizationto

occur,severaltasksmustbecompleted:Reformulationofthe“mazeway,”Wallace’s

termforanindividual’sunderstandingofhisculture’sparadigmandphysical

surroundings,oftenledinreligiouscontextsbyaleaderwithavisionordream;

Communicationofthenewvisiontoothers;Organizationallowingothersto

experiencethenewvision;Adaptationtolocalcontext;CulturalTransformation,

whenasignificantpartofthepopulationacceptsthenewvisionandischanged;and

Routinization,whenthevisionbecomesthe‘newnormal.’

UsingWallace’stheory,ChristChurchisintheoverlappingperiodsof

IncreasedIndividualStressandCulturalDistortion,wherethestressoverunmet

needsinone’severydaydiscipleship,ChristianFormation,andpreparationfor

Churchleadershipisrealizedtovaryingdegrees.ChristChurchisnotalonein

sufferingfromtheseconcerns,particularlyregardingChristianFormation,aswas

madeevidentinavideofromTheEpiscopalStoryProjectentitled“TheWayWeDo

FaithFormationIsNotWorking.”5InthevideoTheRev.LeeAnneWatkins

verbalizesthestressofcontinuallycreatingawidevarietyofAdultFormation

offerings,onlytohavefewifanypeopleattend.Finallyafteryearsoffrustrationand

disappointment,shecanceledallofSt.Mary’sadultprogramsandmidweekservices.5“TheWayWeDoFaithFormationIsNotWorking,”EpiscopalStoryProject,accessedJanuary28,2017,https://vimeo.com/36724840.

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Herstressisclearwhenshesays,“Ifeellikeconfessing.ItmightbethatSt.Mary’sis

justthislittleenclaveoffailure…Theydon’treallywanttotalkaboutJesuswithme,

eveniftheyknowthat’swhatIwantthemtodo.”

TheprojectwasdesignedtoseeifFindingGodIn…couldinitiatethePeriodof

RevitalizationasdescribedbyWallace.Revitalizationisdefinedas“theprocessof

infusingnewlifeorvitality.”6Thelayledalternativeworshipservice,basedin

somethingpeoplelove,maybeawayofreconfiguringthe“mazeway,”allowing

peopletoenvisionaneworrenewedwayofunderstandingtheirrelationshipto

God.TheCommunicationofthisnewvisiontakesplaceinboththeprocessofthe

leaderspreparingfortheworshipevent,andintheeventitself.Organization,

duringwhichothersexperiencethevision,occursduringtheworshipevent.

Adaptationisimplicitinhavinglocalleaderswhobeginwithsomethingtheylove.

Asaresult,CulturalTransformationisinitiated,havingbegunwiththeresponseof

thosewhowereworshipteammembers,andincludingthosewhoattendedthe

events.Itremainstobeseenifasignificantenoughnumberofpeoplemightbe

changedbytheseeventstocreatetrueCulturalTransformation.

2.Whatweloveshapeswhoweare.JamesK.A.SmithquoteswriterGeoffDyer

“Yourdeepestdesireistheonemanifestedbyyourdailylifeandhabits”andgoeson

toelucidate,“Thisisbecauseouraction–ourdoing–bubblesupfromourloves,

6MichaelA.Rynkiewich,“WhatisRevitalization?”Revitalization12,no.1‐2(Fall2005):2,accessedJanuary31,2017,http://place.asburyseminary.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=revitalizationrevitalization.

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which…arehabitswe’veacquiredthroughthepracticeswe’reimmersedin.”7The

thingswelovetodomaybeseenasspiritualpractices,asthewayswecultivateand

expressthelovewefeel,whetherornotweareconsciouslyawareofaspiritual

aspect.Byprovidinganenvironmentinwhichpastoralandtheologicalgrounding

wereofferedforanewperspectiveontheireverydaypractices,theworshipteam

leadersmightbeabletounderstandtheirownexperiencesinawaythataffirmed

themasholy.AsM.CraigBarnesobserved,“Oneofthereasonsthatpeopleneed

pastorsispreciselythatGodisalwayspresentbutusuallynotapparent.Inaddition,

otherparticipantsandthosewhoattendedtheeventswouldprovideanattentive

listeningcommunity,whichcouldhelpconfirmthevalueofwhateachparticipant

lovedandhonortheirexperience.JayMcDanielhighlightstheimportanceofhaving

areceptiveaudience:“Wehavetoooftenforgottenthatthereisareceptivesideof

love:asidethatlistenstoothersontheirowntermsandfortheirownsakesand

thatistransformedinthelisteningwithouttryingtochangethemaccordingto

preconceivedpurposes.”8Notonlycouldthepracticeofdoingwhatonelovedbea

waytoencounterGod,socouldthepracticeofsharingone’sstoryandthepractice

oflisteningtoanother’sstory.

Althoughpeoplemaynotbemotivatedtoparticipateinaregularadult

ChristianFormationclass,thiswouldbeanewapproachbasedinsomethingthat

intereststhemorsomeonetheycareabout.TheRev.JeremyLewissaid,“People

maynotcareaboutwhatyouwantthemtocareabout.Allofuslove,soaskthe

7Smith,YouAreWhatYouLove,29.8JayMcDaniel,“IntheBeginningistheListening,”inTheologyThatMatters:Ecology,Economy,andGod,ed.DarbyKathleenRay(Minneapolis:FortressPress,2006),27.

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questiondifferently:Whatdoyoulove?”9Therehavebeentwoexceptionstothe

lackofinterestinadultChristianFormationattheprojectparish.Thefirstwasan

interactiveprayerworkshop.Thesecondwasacurrentdiscussiongroupthat

emergedorganicallyfromtherequiredpropheticsermonforDMin712and

encouragespeopletoengageinthoughtful,courteousconversationsabout

controversialtopicsasawaytoliveoutourbaptismalvowto“respectthedignityof

everyhumanbeing.”10Thesetwoexceptionsshowedthatpeopleinthe

congregationdorespondwhenittouchesanareaofinterestforthemandwhenit

haspracticalapplicationtotheirlives.

Thisprojectisbasedinthetheorythatbeyondthetraditionalsettingof

Sundaymorningworship,peopleareparticularlyopentothePresenceofGod,orto

anexperienceoftheholy,orasenseofwonderorawe,whentheyareengagedin

doingsomethingtheylove.Whileinitiallytheymightnotidentifywhattheyloveasa

contextforencounteringtheDivine,givenappropriatebiblicalandtheological

languageandimagery,alongwithagroupofotherswhosharesimilarexperiences,

andareceptiveenvironment,theirperspectivecouldchange.Whileeverythingone

lovestodomaynotbeaspiritualpractice,broadeningthescopeofwhatmightbe

consideredaspiritualpracticeallowsonetoconsiderwhetherandhowanactivity

mightencourageanddeepenrelationshipwithGod.Theideawasthatincreatinga

processthatallowedindividualstoparticipateinagroupofsimilarinterestinwhich

9RecountedbyDavidJenkins,“TheReflectivePractitionerasCommunityLeader”(classlecture,DMin711,Atlanta,Georgia,April9,2014).10TheEpiscopalChurch.TheBookofCommonPrayer(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1990),305.

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theseresourcesweremadeavailabletothem,theywouldexpandtheircapacityto

experiencetheconnectionbetweenGodandtheireverydaylives.

3.TheprocessforFindingGodIn…reflectedthemethodusedindiscerningthe

missionstatementforChristChurch,whichisTransformingourselvesandour

communitythroughtheunconditionalloveofJesusChrist.Oneofthemajorinsightsin

creatingthemissionstatementwasthatthepriestwasnotgoingtocraftitforthe

congregation,aspreviousrectorshaddone,norsharewiththeVestryor

congregationhervisionforthem.Instead,theydiscernedtogetherwheretheHoly

Spiritwasleadingandworkedcollaboratively.Amongtheprimarytasksofthe

priestwastoleadbyexampleandinvitation,whilelisteningtoandaffirmingthe

contributionsoflayleaders.Bycreatingandmaintaininganopenprocessfor

conversation,participation,anddiscernment,itwasfarmorefruitful,arealization

notedbyJohnPaulLederach:“ThemoreIwantedtointentionallyproducea

particularresult,themoreelusiveitseemedtobe;themoreIletgoanddiscovered

theunexpectedopeningsalongtheway,atthesideofthejourney,themore

progresswasmade.”11

Thehopefortransformation,asexpressedinthemissionstatementand

namedbyWallaceinhistermCulturalTransformation,isgroundedinseveral

sources.ThefirstisinGod’spromisesthatGodiswithus.Jesusassuredhis

disciples,“Andremember,Iamwithyoualways,totheendoftheage.”(Matthew

28:20NRSV)JesussaidtothePharisees“thekingdomofGodisamongyou.’”(Luke11JohnPaulLederach,TheMoralImagination:TheArtandSoulofBuildingPeace(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,2005),115.

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17:20‐21NRSV)PaulremindedtheearlyChristians“Godsaid,‘Iwillliveinthem

andwalkamongthem,andIwillbetheirGod,andtheyshallbemypeople.’”(2

Corinthians6:16NRSV)ThesecondisthatGodiswillingtoworkwithus,often

throughthemostordinaryofcircumstancesandmaterials,toeffecttransformation.

Themostrecognizedtransformativeoccasionsoccurinthesacraments,whichare,

accordingtotheCatechism“outwardandvisiblesignsofinwardandspiritual

grace….”12Thetwoprimarysacraments,baptismandEucharist,useordinarywater,

bread,andwinetoconveythegraceofGod.Thesetransformedelementsbecome

mediumsforourtransformation.Godmaylikewiseuseotherordinarymaterials

andopportunitiesasvehiclesofgraceforourtransformation.Theshiftin

perceptioninwhichtheordinarycomestobeunderstoodasextraordinaryis

illustratedinatalemadefamousbymanagementconsultantandwriterPeter

Drucker:

Anoldstorytellsofthreestonecutterswhowereaskedwhattheywere doing.Thefirstreplied,“Iammakingaliving.”Thesecondkepton hammeringwhilehesaid,“Iamdoingthebestjobofstonecuttinginthe entirecountry.”Thethirdonelookedupwithavisionarygleaminhiseyes andsaid,“Iambuildingacathedral.”13

12TheEpiscopalChurch,TheBookofCommonPrayer.(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1990),857.13PeterDrucker,Management,(HarperCollinse‐books),accessedJanuary30,2017,http://youth‐portal.com/wp‐content/uploads/2014/10/Peter‐F‐Drucker‐Management‐Rev‐Ed.pdf.,258‐9.

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Thethirdbasisofmyhopeisinthebeliefthat“thereisnoseparationbetweenthings

spiritualandmaterial,religiousandpolitical,sacredandsecularinourlives.Godis

inallofit,callingustomakeconnections….”14

TheconceptofcurationasappliedtoworshipcomesfromCuratingWorship

byJonnyBaker,whosays,“Aworshipcuratormakesacontextandaframefor

worship,arrangingelementsinit.Thecontentisprovidedbyotherpeople.”15The

term‘curation’isusedtodescribingthetaskoflisteningtothestoriesofothers;

prayingwiththem;envisioninghowtheirindividualcontributionsmightfittogether

intoacohesiveflow;andsuggestingbiblicaltexts,theologicalperspectives,and

otherideastocreateaframeworkfortheworshipevent.Byfunctioningasacurator

thepriestorpastorisabletoprovideatheologicalandpastorallensfortheprocess,

toserveasamentorfortheworshipteammembers,andtovalidatethevalueof

theircontributions,whilestillplacingthefocusonGodaspresentintheir

experiences.

4.JamesK.A.Smithdeclaresthecentralityofliturgyinformingus:

Liturgies–whether‘sacred’or‘secular’–shapeandconstituteouridentities byformingourmostfundamentaldesiresandourmostbasicattunementto theworld.Inshort,liturgiesmakeuscertainkindsofpeople,andwhat definesusiswhatwelove.16

14LettyM.Russell,JustHospitality:God'sWelcomeinaWorldofDifference,ed.J.ShannonClarksonandKateM.Ott(Louisville:Westminster/JohnKnoxPress,2009),11.15JonnyBaker,CuratingWorship(NewYork:SeaburyBooks,2010),xiv.16JamesK.A.Smith,DesiringtheKingdom:Worship,Worldview,andCulturalFormation.(GrandRapids:BakerAcademic,2009),25.

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DavidFosterWallaceassertedthat,“Thereisnosuchthingasnotworshipping.

Everybodyworships.Theonlychoicewegetiswhattoworship.”17Becausepeople

areshapedbyworshipitisimportantthatwearebothattentivetoandintentional

abouthowweworship.Ourliturgies,orworshippractices,havetremendouspower

toshapebothwhoweareandwhatwebelieve.

TheEpiscopalChurchteacheslexorandi,lexcredendi,whichtranslatesas‘the

lawofpraying[is]thelawofbelieving’or,“moreaccuratelylegemcredendalex

statuatsupplicandi,whichmeansthatthewaywepraydeterminesthewaywe

believe.”18Thewaysinwhichweworshipshapeourprimarytheology,andarethe

sourceofhowwethinkabout,talkabout,andinteractwithGod.ForEpiscopalians

thismeansthatTheBookofCommonPrayerismuchmorethanworshipresource.It

istheguidetoourprimarytheology.Episcopalianspositthatitisorthopraxy,or

rightpractice,ratherthanorthodoxy,rightbelief,thatformsus.Ourliturgical

worshipisourorthopraxy,thepracticethatshapesbothwhoweareandwhatwe

believe.TheliturgiesofTheBookofCommonPrayerarebiblicallybasedandreflect

Anglicantheology,sothatthepracticeofdoingthemshapesus.Trueorthodoxy

thereforecomesfromorthopraxyratherthantheotherwayaround.Theproject

seekstocomplementtheprimarytheologyandorthopraxyexpressedinthe

liturgiesofTheBookofCommonPrayerbycreatingaprocesswhichincludes

17DavidFosterWallace,“Transcriptionofthe2005KenyonCommencementAddress.”PerdueUniversity.(CommencementAddressforKenyonCollege,Gambier,Ohio,May21,2005),8.https://web.ics.purdue.edu/~drkelly/DFWKenyonAddress2005.pdf.18LeonelL.Mitchell,PrayingShapesBelieving:ATheologicalCommentaryontheBookofCommonPrayer(Minneapolis:WinstonPress,1985),1.

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anotherinsightintotheconnectionbetweenprayerandbelief:“lexamandi.Howwe

prayandwhatwebelievebothshapeandareshapedbywhatwelearntolove.”19

TheProject:Inordertoevaluatewhethermembersofthecongregationreflected

thepremisesoftheprojectasurveywasdistributed.Thefirstquestionwas,“What

isyourresponsetothecurrentformatforworshipatChristChurchwithTheHoly

Eucharist,RiteII(withtraditionalhymnodyatthelaterservice,accompaniedby

organorpiano)?Theresponseswere:37positive,9content,5neutral,2

dissatisfied,and0negative.Thesecondquestion,“Doyoufeelaclearconnection

betweenworshiponSundayandlivingoutyourfaiththerestoftheweek?”received

aresponseof31yes,20somewhat,and2no.Questionthree,“Doyouparticipatein

anykindofadultChristianFormation(reading,class,Biblestudy,etc.)?”received

repliesof18yesand35no.Thefinalquestion,“Doyoufeelconfidentinyourability

toleadaministryorofferyourgiftsandabilitiesatchurch?”garneredanswersof32

yes,10somewhat,and11no.Thesurveysconfirmedthatthosewhorespondedare

positiveaboutorcontentwiththetraditionalworshipservicecelebratedatChrist

Church(86.79%)andthatfewparticipateinadultChristianFormation(66.03%).A

largepercentageaffirmedaclearconnectionbetweenworshiponSundayandliving

outtheirfaithduringtheweek(58.49%)andfeltconfidentleadingaministryor

offeringtheirgiftsatchurch(60.37%).Subsequentconversationleadmetobelieve

thatmorenuancedquestionswouldhavereceiveddifferentanswers,specificallyif

thesecondquestiondifferentiatedbetweenlivingoutgeneralprinciplesoffaith,

19RonRienstra,“GoodWorship:ArticulatingStandardsofExcellenceinWorshipwithoutBecomingtheLiturgyPolice.”Liturgy,29,no.2,(January31,2014):4.

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suchastheGoldenRule,andhavingongoingspiritualpractices;andifadistinction

hadbeenmadeinthefourthquestionbetweenparticipatinginministrieswhere

knowledgeisnotspecifictochurch,suchasmusic,property,andfinance,andthose

thataremoreparticulartochurch,asareBiblestudy,teachingSundaySchool,and

leadingyouthgroup.

Throughparishemail,thenewsletter,bulletins,announcements,and

conversationsmembersofChristChurchwereinvitedtoparticipateinforming

worshipteamsbasedinsomethingtheyloved.Theresultwasthreeteamsof

volunteersforFindingGodInmusic,nature,andservingothers.Eachteammetonce

totalkthroughtheconceptoftheeventandtosharethebasicideaforwhatthey

wishedtocontribute.Wecreatedaroughoutlineoftheflowoftheevent,orderof

participants,physicalplacement,lighting,music,andrefreshments.Theteam

membersthenhadtimetoworkindividuallyinpreparationfortheirpartofthe

event.Wecommunicatedthroughbothconversationandemailtoaddress

questions,ideas,andconcerns.Wethenmetasecondtimetorunthroughtheevent

andmakechangesifneeded.Eachofthemhadbeguntheprocesswithavulnerable

willingnesstoparticipate,notatallclearaboutwhattheprocessentailed.Asthey

toldtheirstoriesandwetalkedthroughstructuringtheeventandadded

componentslikeScripture,poetry,andvisualaidsthatgavetheirtestimonies

supportandclarity,theygrewmoreconfidentandexcitedabouttheprocess.

Finally,eachworshipeventwasheldonaSundayeveninginOctoberat7:00p.m.in

ourmultipurposespace.

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TheWorshipEvents:ThefirstteamwasforFindingGodinMusic.Seven

parishionersvolunteered.Ourorganist,volunteerhandbellchoirdirector,andsix

choirmembersparticipated.Theorganistofferedhertimefor,andwaspartof,all

threeevents.Thesixchoirmembersincludedamusicteacherandthreehighschool

students–twoyoungmenfromChristChurchwhosinginaquartet;andtwowho

aresiblings.Thegroupwasveryenthusiastic.Eachoftheparticipantswas

experiencedinperformingpubliclyandallofthemvaluemusic.Astheytalked

throughwhattheymightdo,eachonetookarisk.Themusicteacherandher

husbandledtwosongsinwhichthoseattendingwereinvitedtoparticipate.The

firstwaslightheartedandincludeddancingandthesharingofslinkies,whichwere

usedintherefrain;thesecondwasprayerfulandwasledastheconclusionfromthe

centeroftheroom.Healsoreadapoemaboutbeingencouragednottosingdueto

lackofabilityandplayedthetromboneaccompaniedbypiano.Thehandbell

directorplayedacomplicatedsolo,supportedbypiano.Onewomanwhoisvery

reluctanttodopublicspeakingwroteandsharedamovingreflectiononthe

meaningofmusicinherlife.Theoneyoungmanwhoisinthequartetinvitedthe

others,includingtwoyoungmenwhogotootherchurches,toparticipate.Ayoung

womanplayedachallengingviolinsolo.Weplacedtheparticipantsaroundthe

roomandputlampsbesideeachofthem.Theleadersthentookturnsturningthe

lampsonandofftospotlightwhoeverwasperformingatthemoment.Everyonein

theroomwasseatednearatleastoneoftheperformers.Theroomwassetupwith

everyoneseatedatsmalltables.Simple,quietsnackswereonthetablesanddrinks

wereavailableduringtheevent.Areceptionwasheldimmediatelyfollowingthe

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eventandpeoplenibbledoncookiesshapedlikemusicnotesandothersnackswhile

theytalkedandcompletedsurveys.

ThesecondteamwasforFindingGodinNature.Theteamhadseven

volunteersinadditiontotheorganist:twogardeners,onehunter,threemountain

climbers–twoofthemalsocampers;andonewholovesspendingtimeinnature.

MostofthemhadattendedFindingGodinMusicandwerefeelingintimidated.They

werenotatallsurethattheyhadanythingaswonderfultoofferasthefirstgroup,

whichseemedreadymadeforperformance.However,aswelistenedtotheir

storiestheyspokeofawe,wonder,holiness,andpresence.Theirexperiencesgave

voicetotheinsightofIranaeus,“Theinitialstepforasoultocometoknowledgeof

Godiscontemplationofnature.”20Themoretheyshared,themoreexcitedtheygot.

Duringtheinterludebetweenourfirstandsecondmeetingtheyemailedandspoke

withmeaboutnewideasandinsights.Thegroupmembersweresurprisingly

creative.Thegroupembodiedthepowerthatcomesfromlisteningtooneanother

respectfullyandappreciatively,asdescribedbyproponentsofAppreciativeInquiry:

…collaborative,innovative,andstrength‐basedprocessesemergewhen peopledialogueinanappreciativemode.Theprocessitselfenablesthemto co‐createafuturethatis‘owned’byallinvolvedinthedialogue;andthis ‘ownership’resultsincollaborativeprocessesforco‐creation.21Thequietwomanwhotoldastoryaboutbeingonabeachatnightwithherfamily

wheretheirfootprintsglowedphosphorescentgreencutoutlittlefabricfootprints

ofiridescentgreenandputthemonthetablesforpeopletotakehome.Thewoman20“BlessedEarth:SuggestionsforHonoringGod’sCreation,”accessedJanuary30,2017,http://www.blessedearth.org/wp‐content/uploads/2011/09/Creation‐Care‐Quotes.pdf.21JaneMagruderWatkins,BernardMohr,RalphKelly.AppreciateInquiry:ChangeattheSpeedofImagination(SanFrancisco:Pfeiffer,2011),4.

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wholovedtocampwithherfamilymadetinys’moresonpretzelsticksforthe

reception.Onegardenerarrangedfallleavesinbouquetsandbroughtfreeze‐dried

peastocomplementherstoryaboutshellingpeasfromhergrandmother’sgarden.

Thehunterwroteareflectiononthedeeplyspiritualexperienceofspendinghours

inatreestand.Whenhediscoveredaworkconflicttheeveningofoureventhis

wife,ourorganist,readhispiecedressedincamouflagebesidehistreestand.She

interjectedafewthoughtfulcommentsandtoldusaboutlearningtositinatree

standfromherhusband.Severalteammembersdressedincharacter,donning

hiking,camping,andgardeningclothes,alongwithappropriategear.Allthreeofthe

mountainclimbersshowedslidesofsomeofthemanypeakstheyhadclimbedand

broughtdisplaymaterialsforpeopletoexamineduringthereception.

ThethirdteamwasforFindingGodinServicetoOthers.Thegrouphadfive

volunteersinadditiontoourorganist.Thisteamwasdifferent,giventhesmaller

numberofparticipants,amajorityofintroverts,andthefactthattheyhaddifficulty

envisioningwhattheydidasanythingspecial.Intheteamwere:onewomanwho

initiallythoughtshewouldsimplyserveasbackuptoothers,helpingthemand

servingrefreshments;onemanwhoisayouthgroupleader,isverycerebral,and

reluctanttospeakofhisownextensiveservicetoothers;onemanwhoisquite

humbleandservesininnumerableways,bothlocallyandininternationalmission

work;andanextrovertedcouplewhoareveryinvolvedwithourdiocese’smedical

missiontoourcompaniondioceseinElSalvador,amongothersignificantwaysof

serving.Gettingthisgrouptotalk,toseethemselvesashavingastorysomeoneelse

wouldwanttohear,andtofeelconfidentinsharingtheirexperienceswasa

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challenge.Theyseemedtothinktheydidnothavethesamelevelofinherently

interestingexperiencestoshareasthefirsttwogroups,withtheexceptionofthe

couplewhodoesthemedicalmissionworkandwhoarepassionateaboutit.Much

moreactiveleadershipwasneededwiththisgrouptodrawthemout,toaffirmthe

valueofwhattheydid,andtocreateflowamongtheirvariouscontributions.In

keepingwiththeirdedicationtoservingothers,themajorityofthisgroup

volunteeredinordertobesupportiveofthedoctoralprojectandstretched

themselvesbeyondtheircomfortzonetodoso.ThetoneofFindingGodinServiceto

Otherswasquietandthoughtfulthroughout,whichreflectedthepeoplewho

participatedinleadingit.Peoplespokeeitherstandingwiththeirnotesonamusic

standorseatedonastool,withafewsimplepropsandvisualaidsfrommission

trips.Thecouplethatgoesonthemedicalmissionsetupanentiredisplayand

broughtsmallcrossesforeveryonetotakehome.Thereceptiontableswere

decoratedwithartfrommissiontripsandincludedfoodfromElSalvadorandother

missionareas,aswellasmorefamiliartreatsbakedbyourveryhospitablefemale

contributor.

Inworkingwiththeworshipteamleadersitwassurprisinghowlittleit

sometimestooktoleadtoasignificantchangeinthewaythatsomeonesaw

themselvesortheirplaceinthecommunity.Initiallythehuntervolunteered

jokingly,thinkinghewouldnotbewelcometoparticipate,buthewasencouragedto

speakhistruth.HeappreciatedthesuggestionthattheMaryOliverpoem“HowIgo

tothewoods”followhismeditation,andwasstunnedathowwellitcapturedhis

experience.Itmadeavisibledifferencetohimtobeincludedandtohavehis

18

experiencedvalidatedasspiritual.AsSereneJonesstated,“Feministswhostudy

community…neverdosoasdisinterestedacademicians…theyencouragethe

flourishingofall.”22Inthecaseofthewomanwhodidn’tseeherselfashaving

anythingtoofferthanbehindthescenesassistance,thesuggestionofacommon

threadoflovingservicethroughherseveralvignettesprovidedanaffirming

concept.Wereadapoemthatbegins,“There’sathreadyoufollow.Itgoesamong

thingsthatchange.Butitdoesn’tchange.”23Thatimagealteredherperspectiveso

muchthatsheincludeditinherpresentation.

Inthepreparationprocesstheworshipleaderssharedjoy,fun,quiet

reflection,science,humility,andsimplicity.Eachpresenterchosetheappropriate

wayforthemtoshareandwasexcitedfortheopportunity,humbledthatothers

wereinterestedintheirexperienceandvaluedtheirstory.Mostoftheparticipants

werelifelong,faithfulpeoplewhohadnotreallythoughtofdoingwhattheylovedas

anencounterwithGod.ThroughtheprocessofpreparingforFindingGodIn…

severalofthemcametorealize,likeTheRev.EdBacon,thattheyhad“experienced

whatitfeelsliketobeconnectedwiththeBeloved,thesourceofthemostpowerful

toolinourlives:love.”

WorshipEventLeaders:FollowingtheFindingGodIn…worshipeventsteam

memberswereaskedtocompleteasurveytoassesswhetherparticipatinginthe

22SereneJones.FeministTheoryandChristianTheology:CartographiesofGrace.(Minneapolis:FortressPress,2000),131.23WilliamStafford.“TheWayItIs,”inLeadingfromWithin:PoetryThatSustainstheCouragetoLead,ed.SamM.IntratorandMeganScribner(SanFrancisco:Jossey‐Bass,2007),11.

19

processofpreparingforandleadingoneofthealternativeservicesledtoanewor

renewedunderstandingoftheirrelationshipwithorunderstandingofGod,orwhat

AnthonyF.C.Wallacewouldcallreformulatingthe“mazeway,”andbegunaprocess

oftransformation.Firsttheywereaskedtoconsidertheirresponsestothefour

questionsontheinitialsurvey,addingtwoclarificationsandanadditionalquestion

toaddressthenuancelackingintheinitialsurvey.Addedtothequestionabout

whethertheyparticipatedinChristianFormationwas,“Ifso,whatandhow

recently?”Alsoaddedwasthequestion“DidyoufeelfamiliarwiththeBibleand

basicChristianhistory,theology,andpractice,aswellaswithconceptsofspiritual

giftsorpractices?”Finally,thosewhowerecomfortableofferinggiftsandabilitiesto

theChurchwereasked,“Ifso,weretheministriesorgiftsinareascultivatedwithin

oroutsideofchurch?”Tocontrastthebeforeandafterperspectives,thereweretwo

questions:“Haveyouranswerstoanyoftheabovequestionschanged?Ifso,how

andwhy?”and“Finally,pleasewriteadescriptionofwhatitwaslikeforyouto

participateasaworshipeventleaderandwhateffects,ifany,ithashadinyourlife.”

Onewomanwhoisveryactiveinchurchgaveanswersthatexemplifiedwhat

Ithoughtwouldbecommonforparishioners.BeforetheFindingGodIn…worship

eventsshewasquitehappywiththeservices.Whenaskedaboutlivingoutherfaith

duringtherestoftheweekshesaid,“Ihadneverreallythoughtaboutmyfaith

outsideofthechurchserviceandformalprayer.Itneveroccurredtomethatthere

areotherwaystobewithGod.”ShedidnotparticipateinChristianFormation,yet

saidshefeltfamiliarwith“basicChristianhistory,theologyandpractice.”Tothe

clarifyingquestionaboutformationsheadded,“Notoanykindofextendedthought

20

orpracticeofspiritualgifts.”Theareainwhichshefeelsmostconfidentintermsof

giftsismusic,indeedsheisamusicteacher,butsurprisinglyshereported,

Myelementaryschooldidnotoffergeneralmusic,somyonlyexposureto singingwasthroughSundaySchool,YouthGroup,andthechurchchoir.My firstvoiceteacherwasamemberofourcongregation.Churchmusictotally mademewhoIamtoday.Becausehelpingleadthemusicworshipeventissimilartowhatshealreadydoes

professionallyshewrote,“ThechangeformewasafterattendingtheFindingGodin

NatureserviceandseeingallthewaysIcan/ammakingspiritualconnectionsand

experiencesthatIneverrealized.”Whatledtogrowthforherwas“hearingand

seeingothersexperiences,particularly,Deirdre’swritingsonmusicandfaith.”She

personifiedthepracticeoforthopraxyfortransformationasdescribedsimplyby

RichardRohr,“Wedonotthinkourselvesintoanewwayofliving;butwelive

ourselvesintoanewwayofthinking.”24

Onemansimilarlyexpressedcontentmentwithtraditionalworshipservices.

Hewasabletotakeafocusfromthesermoneachweekandtriedtoapplyittodaily

living.HehadbrieflyparticipatedinChristianFormationandhadabasicfamiliarity

withChurchteaching,butfelthehadalottolearn.Asamedicalprofessionalhedid

nothavealotofconfidenceinapplyinghisskillsinachurchsetting.His

participationdefinitelymadeadifferenceforhim.Hewrote:

ItooktheassignmentofFindingGodInNatureveryseriouslyandsurprised myselfinfindingthatitledtoaverypersonalexaminationofmyreflections aboutbeinginthemountainsandhowitaffectedspecificinterpersonal relationshipswithfriendsandfamilyandhow,inlookingback,Icanseethat24RichardRohr.“OrthopraxyLeadstoRealOrthodoxy.”TheCenterforActionandContemplation.https://34dj3l269uzv2uy0oh3yzb0w‐wpengine.netdna‐ssl.com/wp‐content/uploads/2015/11/8‐ORTHOPRAXY‐LEADS‐TO‐REAL‐ORTHODOXY.pdf,1.

21

agreaterpowerwasaworkthenandsustainsmenow.Iknowthe experiencesthatIrelatedwereonlyoneofmanypathstofaithbutIwasglad fortheunderstandingofitandhappytohavebeenabletoshareitwith others.Somyanswerto#5wouldchangesinceIhavenowactually participatedinaministry–thankstoyou.Throughtheprocessofpreparingforandparticipatingintheworshipevent,hewas

abletodiscoverGodaspresentinhislifeinawayhehadnotrealized.AsTheRev.

EdBacon’sgraduateadvisoroncetoldhim,“Youcanbeexposedtothefinest

thinkingavailable,butitwon’tdoyouoranyoneelseanygoodifyoudon’tcookit

onyourownstove.”25

Awomanwhoisveryactiveinchurchandministryansweredyesto

everything,butclarifiedthatherministryissomethingthatwascultivatedoutside

thechurch.Thisgardenersaid,“FindingGodInwasawonderfulopportunityto

sharemystorywithmyfellowparishioners.Itisaveryvulnerablepositionto

expressfeelingsyouholddeeply.Iwassurprisedhoweasyitwasinthatcontext

andfeltfreetodoso.”Shealsoemphasizedathemeheardamongmanyresponses:

“ItwasachancetogettoknowtheirstoriesaswellandtheyALLbrought

fascinatinginsightsastowhereandhowtheyfoundGod…Itopenedmyeyesupto

seehowmanywaysIcouldfindGodthatIhadnotyetconsidered.”

Thefirstgardener,anextrovert,experiencedherstorytellingverydifferently

fromanothergardener,anintrovert.Theintrovertsaid,“Iamnotonetospeak

openlyaboutmyfaithorspirituallife.Sharingmyperspectiveonintentional

gardeningexperienceswiththelevelofopennessIchosefeltabittoointimatefor

thesetting.Ifeltexposed.”Yetshesaidthattheprocessofwritingwhatsheshared25EdBacon,8HabitsofLove:OpenYourHeart,OpenYourMind(Boston:GrandCentralLife&Style,2012),35.

22

leftherwithadeeperappreciationforhermeditationpracticeinthegarden.She

alsohadaninsightthataffirmedthepremiseofoneconnectionmakingothers

possible:

Listeningtotheotherparticipantssharetheirperspectiveshashelpedme realizemorefullythatthereareamultitudeofareasthatpeoplecanshare theexperienceofGodoutsidetheboundaryandlanguageofchurchandthat thosecommonareasmightactuallymaketheconnectiontoGodand communityeasier. Yetathirdleaderreflecteduponthechallengeofsharingdeeplypersonal

experiences.Healsointroducedtheideathathisparticipationbeganaprocessthat

iscontinuing:

Beingoneoftheleaderswasaverysignificantandemotionalexperiencefor me.Ithinkthisismainlybecauseitforcedmetoreallylookatandsharemy lifeandbeliefswithpeopleIknowwellandnotsowell.Iamaveryprivate personandusuallydon'tspeakaboutwhatI(actuallyDebbie)presentedand shared.I'mnotsureIcouldhavereadandwhatIwrotebecauseofthe emotionalcontent…Lastly,eventhoughtheservicesweredone,Ispentalot oftimegoingovermy"paper"whilesittinginmytreestanduntilmy operation,andthenwouldcomehomeandeditandaddthingstoit.Itstillis onmydesktopandI'msureIwillrevisitagain. Anotherwomanwhoisveryactiveinchurchperceivedaclearshift.In

respondingtowhethershehadaclearunderstandingofhowshemightliveouther

faithduringtheweek,shesaid,“IthoughtIdid–Ithoughttryingtomaketimeto

prayeverydayandlivemylifetryingtobeagoodpersonwaslivingmyfaith.”But

afterparticipatingasaworshipeventleadershewrote:

Thishasbeenbyfarthebiggestchange…theFindingGodinNatureservice hasleftmemoreappreciativeofthegiftsofGodandmoreabletoseeeven thethingsIdon’tloveasgifts.Ineverwouldhavethoughofweedingthe garden(oneofmyleastfavoritejobs)asawaytobeclosertoGod,butIdo now!

23

Throughtheprocessofpreparingfortheworshipevent,takingpartinleadingit,

andlisteningcarefullyandrespectfullytotheotherparticipants,thiswoman

showedanincreasedawarenessofthemanydiverseactivitiesthatcanbe

understoodasspiritualpractices,ifindeedtheyareplaceswhereoneencounters

Godinthemidstofdoingsomething.Spiritualpracticesarenotlimitedtoafew

religiousactivities,butcanincludealmostanythingthatcultivatesanawarenessof

God’spresence,wonder,awe,orgratitude.AsBrianMcClarenasserts,“Spiritual

practicesareaboutlife,abouttrainingourselvestobecomethekindsofpeoplewho

haveeyesandactuallysee,andwhohaveearsandactuallyhear,andso

experience…notjustsurvivalbutlife.”26

Twolongtimememberswhoaresteepedintheirfaithdidnotexperienceas

muchchangeasothers.Onemansaidthathisunderstandingoflivingouthisfaith

haschangedovertimeand“InowhavecometothinkofmuchofwhatIdoduring

theweekiseitherconsciouslyorunconsciouslyaprayerofferingtoGod,ornot.”

Theaspectofparticipatingasaworshipeventleaderthathevaluedwas“tobeable

tolistentoothersdescribehowtheirservicehasaffectedandchangedtheirlives.

Listeningtosomeone’slifestory,orapieceofit,canalwaysbepowerful.”Aclergy

widowsaid,“Althoughcontentwithcurrentservices,thisseriesprovidedanew,

creative,effectiveandenjoyablewaytolearnaboutGod’sgiftstousandhowwe

appreciateandmakeuseofthem.”Aswithhercolleagues,shehighlightedthe

impactofhearingthestoriesofotherleaders:“Thegreatestbenefitfrom

26BrianMcLaren.FindingOurWayAgain:TheReturnofAncientSpiritualPractices.(Nashville:ThomasNelson,2008),16.

24

participatingwaslearningabouttheinterestsofothersinourcongregationandhow

theyareusingtheirGod‐givengifts.”

Theorganistspokepositivelyoftheworshipevents,particularlyherpartin

readingherhusband’sreflection“FeelingGod’sPresenceinaTreeStand.”She

wrote,

Whenpeopleareallowedtoexpressthemselvescreatively,welearnalot abouteachother,andourmindsareopenedtonewwaysoflookingatlife, faith,andGod.Itwasanhonorformetoreadmyhusband’saccountofhow hefindsGodintheoutdoors.Somanypeopledon’tunderstandsomany thingsthatactuallyinformhisfaith–thiswasanopportunitytoopentheir minds. Onegentlemanwasnotabletomeetwiththeteaminpreparationfortheir

eventandapproachedhisnarrativemorelikearesearchpaperthanpersonal

sharing.Asamoreanalyticalpersonitsuitedhim,butalsodidnotrevealmuch

abouthim.Hereportedtheleastchangesaying,“Myparticipationleadtoanew

understandingofgivingfromperspectivesIwasnotpreviouslyawareofandwhich

Ibelievewillbeusefulinthefuturebuttheexperiencewasnotparticularlyhelpful

inmyspiritualjourney.”

WorshipEventAttenders:FiftypeopleattendedFindingGodinMusic,27ofwhom

completedsurveys.Asanticipatedmanysaidtheycametosupportsomeone

(48.14%);asignificantnumbercitedtheirreasonsforcomingasaloveofmusic,

andanequalnumberwerecurious(29.62%each).Allwerepleasedwithcurrent

worshipservices.Whenaskedtheirresponsetotheeventandwhetheritinfluenced

theirperspectiveonmusicandfindingaconnectionwithGodresponsesincluded

theverypositive:“JOY!Yes,musicisaformofprayer”;“Musicisthebeautiful

25

connectionbetweenusandGod”;“Anymusicthatseekstruthinspiresacloser

connectiontoGod”;“Itwastender,movingandauthentic”;“Magnificent–Holy

Spiritflowing.”Twelverespondents(44.44%)echoedthesentimentexpressedby

thisperson:“Ihavealwaysfoundmusichelpfultomyworshipexperience,this

eventstrengthenedanddeepenedit…lovelytoseeothersexpressthis.”Twosaid

no,“musicnotmything.”Onewasdisappointed,“Abitgeneric–Idon’tknowwhy

welistenedtopopsongs.”

Whenaskediftheeventpromptedanyactionorinterestontheirpart,people

said:“ItakeawaythoughtsthatIwillreflectuponintermsofmylife&God”;“It

openedmyeyestobeingmoreintentionalaboutlettingmusicconnectmetofaith”;

“Alwaysinterestedinnewthings.ItshowsadifferentpathtoGod”;“Encouragedby

sonandmyselftodomoremusicandthroughthisexp.tobeclosetoGod”;and

numerouspeoplesaidtheywouldlikemoresuchevents.Finally,inreactionto

whetherthiseventhelpedthemimagineaconnectiontoGodintheireverydaylife

throughsomethingtheylovepeoplewrote:“Itdoeshelpmeimagine&provoke

thoughtsaboutGod&spirituality”;“AsItryandoftenfailtohaveGodwithmeinmy

everydaylifeIwillnowtrytofindnewwaystohavethatconnection”;“Iplayand

singprivatelyasitisapartofmyspirituallife.Thiseventwilldeepenmy

experience”;“IthelpsmetoappreciateGodmoreineverydaythings”;“That’llbe

niceandletGodworkonmeandmyfamilytofindaconnectioninthefuture.”

Thirty‐sixpeopleattendedFindingGodinNatureand19returnedsurveys.I

dividedthesurveysintotwogroups,asurveyidenticaltotheoneforFindingGodin

Musicforfirsttimeattenders,andaseparatesurveyforthosewhohadcometothe

26

firstevent.TenofthecompletedsurveyswerefromthosewhowerenewtoFinding

GodIn…series.Fourattendedbecauseoftheirloveofnatureandsixtobe

supportive.Eightwerecontentwithpresentworshipservices,oneattendschurch

occasionally,andonedoesnotattend.Theirresponsestotheeventwereall

positive,withan“Awesome!”amongthem.Theinfluenceithadontheirsenseofa

connectionbetweenGodandnatureincluded:“Tonight’seventhadacalmingeffect.

IknowI’llbethinkingaboutallthatwassharedinthedaysahead.”Fivepeople

expressedasenseofaffirmation,“Thiseveninghasreinforcedmybeliefinthe

relationshipbetweenGodandnature.”Onepersonappliedtheexperienceto

consideringbroaderpersonalapplication,“Itgivesmepausetoseewhatinmy

regularexperiencesmightdothesame.”Twopeopleechoedthesentiment

expressedinthemusicevent,“IfeellikeIhaveabetterconnection/understanding

ofthosewhopresented.”Whenaskedwhatchangethisexperiencemightpromptfor

them,peoplesaid:“Iplantoattendthenextevent,and[mymiddleschooldaughter]

wouldliketojoinme”and“Gohikingandgardening!”Awomanwhocoordinates

natureoutingsinourcongregationwrote,“Reinforcesmyinterestinproviding

othersachancetoexplorenature.”Onesaid,“ItdoesbutasIhavemanydiverse

interestsitissometimesdifficulttothinkofwhatwillbringmetothislevel”;

another“Toremindmyselftobepresent.”AvisitorfromanotherEpiscopalparish

said,“Ithinkthiskindofworshipexperiencewouldbewelcomeinmyhome

congregation.”Whenaskediftheeventhelpedthemimaginewheretheymightfind

aconnectiontoGodintheireverydaylife,manysimplysaidyes,whileothers

elucidated:“Iwilllookclosertofindingthoseeventsinmylife,orlookingatthose

27

differentthingsIdoinabetterlighttowardsGod”and“Ithasencouragedmetolook

atloveandmyrelationshipsdifferently.”

AmongtheninewhohadattendedFindingGodinMusicpreviouslyand

completedasurvey,fourcametoFindingGodinNaturetosupportothers,twowere

curious,onehadaloveofnature,andthreeweretherebecausetheyhadapositive

experienceatthefirstevent,onesaying,“LastweekIwasofferedmanydifferent

avenuestoseekGodandwashopingformorethisweek.”Askediftheyattended

otherworshipserviceshowthesecomparedrespondentssaid:“Thesearemuch

different&createanewworshipperspective&focus”;“They’vemademe

personallyreflectonmyownexperiences”;“Yes,thishasbeenfunandalearning

experience”;“AveryintimateapproachtoGod.”Threefocusedonothers,“These

areverypersonal.Iunderstandmyfellowparishionersonamuchdeeperlevel.”In

termsofapersonalresponseandfindingaconnectionwithGod,theywrote:“Ithas

mademethinkdifferently”;“Theytookmetoaspecialplace,oneofappreciation,

relaxation&joy”;“I’llthinkmoreaboutGodonmynextrun”;“They’vemademe

personallyreflectonmyownexperiences.”Threefoundthealternativeservices

reinforcedwhattheyalreadyknew.Thefinalquestion,whethertheevents

promptedanychangesinhowtheythinkaboutwhattheyloveandwhattheymight

dowithit,ledtotheseanswers:“Tobeabletoshareitwithotherpeopleespecially

youngpeople”;“Morereflectionthanchange”;“It’spromptingmetothinkcarefully

abouthowIapproachthepossibilityoflookingforanewjob”and“I’mworkingon

that.”

28

ThirtypeopleattendedFindingGodinServicetoOthers.Elevenfilledout

surveysandanother9attendedallthreeworshipeventsandwerenotaskedto

completeanothersurvey.Amongthefirsttimeattenderstwohadaninterestin

service,twowishedtobesupportive,twowerecurious,andonesawitadvertisedin

anotherchurch’sbulletin.Allattendedchurchservicesregularly.Amongtheir

responsesandpossiblechangesinperspectivewere:“Wonderfullisteningtotheir

storiesandexperiences”;“Thoughtprovoking”;“Broadenedmyperspective”;

“VolunteeringhasalwaysbeenaprioritybutoftendonotassociateitwithGod”and

“Morefellowshipandlearningthanworship.”Astowhethertheeventprompted

anyactionontheirpartpeoplesaid:“Helpothers–bethankfulforallIhave”;

“LearnabouttheserviceaspectsofotherAnglicans”;“Enjoyedlisteningtopeople

reflectontheirownexperiencesandwouldenjoylearningmore”and“Already

pursuingapathofservice.”ThefourwhoattendedapreviousFindingGodIn

servicecamebecausetheywereinterestedinthetopic,tobesupportive,thought

thefirstonewas“veryworthwhile”,andonewas“Inspiredtoseehowpeopleinour

congregationseeGodintheirservicetoothers.”Allattendotherservicesand

valuedtheseevents,“IthelpsgiveanappreciationofotherwaystoexperienceGod’s

presence.”Allfourwerepositiveinresponsetotheeventsandmostfound

connections:“Verythoughtprovokingandspirituallynurturingandchallenging”;

“Encouragesmetofindwaystoserveothersoutsideofregularworshipandparish

work”and“Findingwaysinmyownlifetodomoretoserveothers,andbydoingso

seeingourLord.”AsforchangesinhowtheythinkaboutwhattheyloveandGod

theysaid:“Itryto‘seekGodinallthings.’Theseeventsarehelpfulremindersof

29

howpervasivethatsearchcanbe”;“Mightspendmoretimeincharitable/volunteer

work”and“Findingwaysinmyownlifetobetterserveothers.”

ProjectEffectiveness:WewereabletosuccessfullycreatethreethematicFinding

GodIn…worshipevents.Eachofthesealternativeserviceswasofferedasa

complementtotraditionalworship,wasledanddevelopedbylaypeoplebasedin

somethingtheylovedandinwhichtheyfindaconnectionwithGodinthedailylives,

andcuratedbyme.Throughemails,signupsheets,andconversations,peopleofthe

parishidentifiedwhattheyloved,whichledtothethreefocifortheevents:music,

nature,andservingothers.Accordingtoreturnedsurveysandconversations,the

processofpreparationforandleadershipoftheworshipeventshelpedallbutone

leadereitheraffirmorexpandtheirperspectivetoseetheactivitytheyloveasa

placewheretheyencounterGod.TheFindingGodIn…alternativeservicescreateda

uniquecontextinwhichtheycouldsharetheirexperiencesaspartofaworship

event.Finally,theeventsdidintegrateworshipandChristianformationsothatit

waslayled,attractedtheinterestofotherpeople,and,accordingtothecomments

onthesurveys,revitalizedthefaithofmanyleadersandattenders.

ThetheoreticalquestionwaswhetherFindingGodIn…asalayledalternative

worshipeventbasedinsomethingpeoplelove,wouldleadtoaperiodof

Revitalization,sothatnewlifewouldbebreathedintothepeopleofChristChurch

andbeyond.ThethreeFindingGodIn…eventswereanexperimenttoseeifthis

approachcouldcreateareformulationofwhatAnthonyF.C.Wallacecalledthe

“mazeway,”therebyallowingpeopletoenvisionaneworrenewedwayof

30

understandingtheirrelationshiptoGod.Ifso,Ibelievedthatthesedistinctiveevents

hadthepotentialtoinitiateaprocessofCulturalTransformation,aswellasspiritual

transformation,changingthecultureofChristChurchwithoutharmingtheexisting

good.

MyconclusionisthattheFindingGodIn…worshipeventsdohavethepower

toinitiaterevitalization.Clearchangewasevidentinthewordsofoneleader,who

movedfromnothavingaconceptofinteractionwithGodotherthanchurchservices

andformalprayer,“Itneveroccurredtomethatthereareotherwaystobewith

God,”tohavingasignificantlybroaderunderstandingofGod’spresenceineveryday

life,“…seeingallthewaysIcan/ammakingspiritualconnectionsandexperiences

thatIneverrealized.”Leaderscommentedbothonachangeinperceptionforboth

theirownexperienceandfromthoseofothers,whichexpandedtheirunderstanding

ofwhereandhowpeoplecouldencounterGod:“Itopenedmyeyesuptoseehow

manywaysIcouldfindGodthatIhadnotyetconsidered,”and“…therearea

multitudeofareasthatpeoplecansharetheexperienceofGodoutsidetheboundary

andlanguageofthechurch.”Theimpactofpersonalexperiencechangedtheir

understandingandempoweredthemtohearothersaswell,demonstratingthetruth

ofRichardRohr’steachingabouttheimportanceoforthopraxy:

Somehowweneedtoengageinhands‐onexperience,emotionalrisktaking, movingoutsideofourcomfortzones,withdifferentpeoplethanourusual flatteringfriends.Weneedsomeexpandedlevelofspiritualseeingor nothingreallychangesatadeeplevel.27

27Rohr.OrthopraxyLeadstoRealOrthodoxy,1.

31

Amongthepeoplewhoattendedtheworshipeventsandcompletedsurveys

16(32%)ofthosefromFindingGodinMusicsaidtheyhadexperiencedachanged

perspectiveontherelationshipbetweenmusicandfindingaconnectionwithGodor

findingaconnectionwithGodintheireverydaylifethroughsomethingtheylove,

and10(20%)saiditaffirmedaconnectiontheyalreadyfelt.Thesurveysfrom

FindingGodinNatureshowed11(36.66%)peopleexperiencingapositivechangein

theirunderstandingand7(23.33%)feelingtheirperspectiveaffirmed.Lastly,the

surveysfromFindingGodinServicetoOthersindicatedthat9(81.81%)respondents

hadexperiencedapositivechangeinunderstanding.Inaddition,thelevelofenergy

andenthusiasmfollowingeacheventwasremarkable,andIreceivednumerous

requestsforChristChurchtohavemoreFindingGodIn…worshipevents,and

peoplevolunteeredtoleadandsupportthem.

32

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Appendix:SurveysandResponses

DoctorofMinistryProjectInitialParishSurveyTheRev.DenaCleaver‐BartholomewPleasefillouttheshortsurveybelowandreturnittotheoffice.Pleasefeelfreetoaddcommentsorexplain.Thankyou.1.WhatisyourresponsetothecurrentformatforworshipatChristChurchwithTheHolyEucharist,RiteII(withtraditionalhymnodyatthelaterservice,accompaniedbyorganorpiano)?__Positive__Content__Neutral__Dissatisfied__Negative2.DoyoufeelaclearconnectionbetweenworshiponSundayandlivingoutyourfaiththerestoftheweek?__Yes__Somewhat__No3.DoyouparticipateinanykindofadultChristianFormation(reading,class,Biblestudy,etc.)?Ifso,pleasedescribe.__Yes_____________________________________________________________________________No4.Doyoufeelconfidentinyourabilitytoleadaministryorofferyourgiftsandabilitiesatchurch?__Yes__Somewhat__No

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DoctorofMinistryProjectInitialParishSurveyResponses

Positive70%

Content17%

Neutral9%

Dissatisfied4% Negative

0%

Responses1

Yes58%

Somewhat38%

No4%Responses2

36

Yes34%

No66%

Responses3

Yes60%

Somewhat19%

No21%

Responses4

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FindingGodInMusicsurveyThankyouforcomingtoFindingGodinMusic.PleaserespondtothefollowingquestionsforMotherDena’sDoctorofMinistryproject.Pleasefeelfreetowriteonthebackifmorespaceisneeded.1.Whatencouragedyoutocometothisworshipevent?2.Doyouattendotherworshipservices?Ifso,howwouldyoudescribethem?3.Whatisyourresponsetothisevent?HasitinfluencedyourperspectiveontherelationshipbetweenmusicandfindingaconnectionwithGod?4.Doesyourexperienceofthiseventpromptanyactionorinterestinfutureevents,relationships,oractivities?Ifso,what?5.DoesthiseventhelpyouimaginewhereyoumightfindaconnectiontoGodinyoureverydaylifethroughsomethingyoulove?Couldyouenvisionyourselfbeingpartofaworshipteamforaneventlikethis?

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FindingGodinMusicReasonsforAttending

FindingGodinNatureReasonsforAttending

13

8 8

Support Topic Curious

MusicMusic

10

5

2 3

Support Topic Curious PositiveExp

NatureNature

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FindingGodinServicetoOthersReasonsforAttending

FindingGodInMusicInfluenceonPerspective(Questions3‐5)

3 3 3

1 1

Support Topic Curious PositiveExp Advertising

ServiceService

Affirmed37%

Changed59%

No4%

40

FindingGodinNatureInfluenceonPerspective

FindingGodinServicetoOthersInfluenceonPerspective

Affirmed37%

Changed58%

No5%

Changed82%

No18%

Affirmed0%

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FindingGodInNaturesurveyThankyouforcomingtoFindingGodinNature.PleaserespondtothefollowingquestionsforMotherDena’sDoctorofMinistryproject.Pleasefeelfreetowriteonthebackifmorespaceisneeded.1.Whatencouragedyoutocometothisworshipevent?2.Doyouattendotherworshipservices?Ifso,howwouldyoudescribethem?3.Whatisyourresponsetothisevent?HasitinfluencedyourperspectiveontherelationshipbetweennatureandfindingaconnectionwithGod?4.Doesyourexperienceofthiseventpromptanyactionorinterestinfutureevents,relationships,oractivities?Ifso,what?5.DoesthiseventhelpyouimaginewhereyoumightfindaconnectiontoGodinyoureverydaylifethroughsomethingyoulove?Couldyouenvisionyourselfbeingpartofaworshipteamforaneventlikethis?

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FindingGodInNaturesurveyforthosewhoattendedFindingGodinMusicThankyouforcomingtoFindingGodinNature.PleaserespondtothefollowingquestionsforMotherDena’sDoctorofMinistryproject.Pleasefeelfreetowriteonthebackifmorespaceisneeded.1.WhatencouragedyoutoattendanotherFindingGodIn…worshipevent?2.Doyouattendothertypesofworshipservices?Ifso,howdothesecompare?3.Whatisyourresponsetotheseevents?HavetheyencouragedyoutothinkdifferentlyaboutwhereandhowyoumightfindaconnectionwithGod?4.Doesyourexperienceoftheseeventspromptedanychangesinhowyouthinkaboutwhatyouloveandwhatyoumightdowithit?

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FindingGodInServicetoOtherssurveyThankyouforcomingtoFindingGodinServicetoOthers.PleaserespondtothefollowingquestionsforMotherDena’sDoctorofMinistryproject.Pleasefeelfreetowriteonthebackifmorespaceisneeded.1.Whatencouragedyoutocometothisworshipevent?2.Doyouattendotherworshipservices?Ifso,howwouldyoudescribethem?3.Whatisyourresponsetothisevent?HasitinfluencedyourperspectiveontherelationshipbetweenservicetoothersandfindingaconnectionwithGod?4.Doesyourexperienceofthiseventpromptanyactionorinterestinfutureevents,relationships,oractivities?Ifso,what?5.DoesthiseventhelpyouimaginewhereyoumightfindaconnectiontoGodinyoureverydaylifethroughsomethingyoulove?Couldyouenvisionyourselfbeingpartofaworshipteamforaneventlikethis?

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FindingGodInServicetoOtherssurveyforthosewhoattendedapreviousFindingGodineventThankyouforcomingtoFindingGodinServicetoOthers.PleaserespondtothefollowingquestionsforMotherDena’sDoctorofMinistryproject.Pleasefeelfreetowriteonthebackifmorespaceisneeded.1.WhatencouragedyoutoattendanotherFindingGodIn…worshipevent?2.Doyouattendothertypesofworshipservices?Ifso,howdothesecompare?3.Whatisyourresponsetotheseevents?HavetheyencouragedyoutothinkdifferentlyaboutwhereandhowyoumightfindaconnectionwithGod?4.Doesyourexperienceoftheseeventspromptedanychangesinhowyouthinkaboutwhatyouloveandwhatyoumightdowithit?

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DoctorofMinistrySurveyforWorshipTeamleadersThankyoutoeachofyouforparticipatinginoneormoreoftheFindingGodIn…worshipevents.Ihaveafewbriefquestionsforyoubelow.Beyondthat,Iwouldtrulyappreciatewhateveradditionalfeedbackyouarewillingtoshareabouttheexperienceofbeingaworshipeventleaderandanylastingimpactitmayhavehadforyou.Pleaseansweronaseparatesheetofpaper,preferablywithyournameonit.Mother Dena+ PriortoparticipatinginFindingGodIn… 1. WereyoucontentwiththeworshipservicesatChristChurch?Pleasesaywhich

serviceyouattend.2. DidyouhaveaclearunderstandingofhowthefaithexpressedonSundayin

worshipcouldbelivedoutduringtherestoftheweek?3. HadyouparticipatedinBiblestudyorothertypesofadultChristianFormation?

Ifso,whatandhowrecently?4. DidyoufeelfamiliarwiththeBibleandbasicChristianhistory,theology,and

practice,aswellaswithconceptsofspiritualgiftsorpractices?5. Didfeelconfidenttoleadaministryorofferyourgiftsandabilitiesatchurch?If

so,weretheministriesorgiftsinareascultivatedwithinoroutsideofchurch?SinceparticipatinginFindingGodIn…Haveyouranswerstoanyoftheabovequestionschanged?Ifso,howandwhy?Finally,pleasewriteadescriptionofwhatitwaslikeforyoutoparticipateasaworshipeventleaderandwhateffects,ifany,ithashadinyourlife.