James Tarka - Church Visit #2

Church name: Lawndale Christian Community Church

Church address: 3827 W. Ogden  Chicago, Illinois 60623

Date attended: 3/30/2014

Church category: Significantly lower socioeconomic demographic (also meets >10 mile radius requirement)

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

The worship service was similar in structure to that of my regular church context, with the notable exception that no visible offertory was taken. Worship songs and prayers that called the congregation to worship together utilized familiar instrumentation and vocalists, but with a completely different style. With each successive song, I experienced a growing sense of passion among the congregation. Many who had begun the service looking somber now joyfully praised God in conjunction with the dynamic choir. The physical arrangement of the worship area differed from many other worship contexts. Perhaps symbolically, the platform for singers and speakers was located at the center, surrounded by the audience, as opposed to facing it from the front. That the service took place in a gymnasium is indicative of the church’s resourcefulness amidst moderate means, instead looking to invest would-be capital funds into the community.

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

The most interesting aspect of the worship service was the physical arrangement of the worship area as described above. The circular arrangement of chairs around the central platform presents the symbolic image that the church is gathered around the central teachings of God’s word. It also seemed that the pastor was praying and teaching among the people as opposed to at them. While there may be some legitimate benefits to having the focus of a worship service at the front, the experience at this church is an interesting challenge of the traditional paradigm. The service’s location in a gymnasium contributed to the service having a much less formal feeling. I would much rather see people show up to worship God in community with other Christians while wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt than stay away because they don’t feel they meet the external standards of that community. That is awesome.

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

The most challenging aspect of the service was determining how I ought to relate to the message. I found out after the service that a significant portion of those who attend this church have been involved with the “Hope House” rehabilitation program. Clearly, these individuals live in a much different socioeconomic status and face challenges that often quite different from the ones that I regularly face. On one hand, I loved to see individuals come together through the Holy Spirit in engaging their problems. However, I had to carefully reflect upon what sections of the sermon about relapsing into drugs and alcohol meant to me. Judging by the audible response of the congregation, these issues apparently have great significance. Even if I understand the facts of these issues, however, it is very difficult for me to meaningfully engage with them because (fortunately) I lack an intimate experience with them personally.

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

It is important that churches embrace the importance of both proper doctrine and loving application of that doctrine in the Christian life. However, many churches tend to over-sacrifice one of these aspects to emphasize the other, often done unintentionally. This church, however, really strikes a balance between the doctrine and applications of the Christian life. I expected that this church would emphasize social action in the community and outreach to the poor, and I was correct. I did not expect the theological depth of the sermon, abounding in scriptural references and appealing to the ideas of several prominent Christian thinkers. The worship service highlighted the gospel’s imperative message to engage the community in Christ’s love. I hope that the message will encourage me through the Holy Spirit to rethink how I actively engage with those in very different circumstances, especially the poor and those of culturally ostracized races.