What if Worship was like an NBA Game?

So... it's funny, a bit irreverent, and says a lot about what does and doesn't work with worship today. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piZq6aX4wDQ

Virtual Church Choir

Lots has been pondered about the creation of a "virtual community of faith" where people are connected not because they sit next to one another in the pew, but because they find that connection through the mystery/magic of cyberspace. This morning I came across this link (thanks, "Episcopal Cafe") to a fascinating YouTube video featuring Eric Whitacre's virtual choir.

http:///www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/church_20/forward_this_to_your_choir_dir.html

Not only is the music lovely (in an old-school Latin sort of way), but it brought to my mind another example of the ancient/future sythesis which lies at the heart of much emergent church theology/praxis today.

Let me know what you think of it.

Read Diana Butler Bass in the Huffington Post

Diana Butler Bass, who is not only one of the most insightful Episcopal authors of the day is also a prolific essayist on the Huffington Post. If you like her books, you will likely enjoy her shorter pieces as well. I encourage you to check them out at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diana-butler-bass

I hope you enjoy!

Peace,

Bob

30 Minutes that will Change your Life

I just got done watching a half-hour video entitled "Jubilee". It tells the story of an Episcopal Church in Dallas TX that experienced a moment of transformation, where the life of that congregation and its members, and the life of the world around them were changed forever. If you want to see a great example of how the Church can partner with the neighborhood and partner with God in an effort of holy work, I encourage you to click on the link and see for yourself.
http://episcopalchurch.org/multimedia/jubilee/

Take a look, and tell me what you think of it.

Peace,

Bob

Unapologetically Episcopalian

If you hang out on Facebook (and who doesn't these days?) you might want to check out a brand new group (founded May 1) called "Unapologetically Episcopalian". It's full of great bits about why people are glad and proud to be a part of the Episcopal Church. Enjoy!

Managing Polarities in Congregations

There's a new book out through the Alban Institute entitled, "Managing Polarities in Congregations: Eight Keys for Thriving Faith Communities" written by Roy Oswald and Barry Johnson. I'll tell you now that I haven't read the book yet, so I'm only basing my comments on what I've read ABOUT the book. While I'm not one who tends to set my world up with a somewhat oversimplified set of "either/or" or "both/and" extremes (as though there are only 2 options in life to every situation), I am intrigued by some of the advance press about this book. The authors identify some of the major "challenges" of leadership in congregations, and offer some creative pathways forward. I invite you to look over the info on the book at
http://www.alban.org/bookdetails.aspx?id=8488

Any thoughts on your own experiences dealing with some of these situations?

Welcome One and All

Welcome to this new blog called "The Vital Church". I'm Bob Honeychurch, and I serve as the missioner for Congregational Vitality with the Episcopal Church Center. The goal of this blog is that it will become a forum for discussing the joys, the challenges, the possibilities, the hopes and dreams of people who want to build and maintain vital churches. I look forward to the conversation!