Church name: Lawndale Community Church
Church address: 3827 W Ogden, Chicago, IL 60623
Date attended: October 5, 2014
Church category: Different Socio-economic level
Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?
The service began as usual with a couple songs and a scripture reading. Although the singing involved more clapping and swaying than my home church, I have an increased appreciation and enjoyment for that type of worship after the numerous styles included during CCDA. The church choir also sang a song, something that is quite similar to my regular context and very enjoyable. There was then a time called "Prayer & Praise" where microphones were available for people to share prayer requests with the church. The church I attended in London this summer also did this type of prayer, and I really enjoy it. It's very different than my home context, but it allows the members to be vulnerable and connect on a deeper level with their church family. The service then followed a typical pattern of the sermon, communion, and the dismissal. Overall, nothing was extremely new to me, and I really enjoyed the service.
What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?
I found the "Prayer & Praise" time to be the most interesting aspect of the worship service. When people began gathering by the microphones, I naturally started thinking about what I would pray for if I were to stand up. Although I know my requests lack no validity, I was so humbled by the vulnerability and seriousness of the information that the members shared. I have never had to pray for my incarcerated cousin, brother losing custody of his child, or mother with brain cancer. I loved that people were so open to sharing, genuinely hoping that their brothers and sisters in Christ would wrap them in prayer. As a visitor who didn't know the congregation, I was humbled to be included in the time. I also appreciated that the leader prayed for each specific request after this time. It was a blessing to be there, and I would recommend this type of prayer at any church.
What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?
Although I had no issues with any of the traditions or theologies in the service, I was somewhat confused about the mission of the church. Because Lawndale is so involved with CCDA and Coach Gordon, it is expected that the message would reference the principles of relocation, reconciliation, and redistribution. However, Pastor Darryl Saffore also frequently referenced the financial and emotional needs of the congregation. Because many of the attendees come from a lower-income class than I do, I tend to think that I would be the "relocator" in the situation. Pastor Darryl addressed the congregation as both the community develops and the struggling population. Although I think it is absolutely possible to be in both of these categories, it's a very different group than who attended CCDA. It reminds me of the discussion we had during theology class about who are the Israelites and the Canaanites in the exile story. The best conclusion I have come to thus far is that we all fill both of these roles in some capacity. This seems to be the philosophy that Lawndale is teaching by, but I would be interested to hear an explanation from one of the pastors.
What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?
The sermon illuminated a fact about Jesus that I knew was true, but had never explicitly considered. Pastor Darryl spoke on "The Realities of Christian Discipleship," mainly focusing on the hardships that Christians will face. Although I was attending this service to fulfill my requirement for a "lower-income" church, quite ignorantly, I wasn't really expecting for the sermon to be any different than my usual church. However, it makes sense that the sermon would be tailored to meet the needs of the people who attend the church. Darryl related Jesus' struggles with the struggles of the congregation. The point he stressed about Jesus that I had not considered was that Jesus went through family struggles. For example, Jesus went to pray alone when his cousin, John the Baptist, was beheaded (found in the scripture reading of the service, Matthew 14:22-24). He also explained that Jesus went through financial strains, similar to many of the attendees. I loved how he approached the topic by explaining how we can relate to Jesus, as we are all aiming to follow in His footsteps. As it was not easy for Jesus, it is not easy for us!
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