Emily Beckman - Church Visit #3

Blog title: Emily Beckman - 3

Church name: Willow Creek Community Church

Church address: 67 E. Algonquin Road, South Barrington, IL 60010

Date attended: 4/6/14

Church category: Higher socioeconomic status (Since my home church is of a lower socioeconomic status already, a still lower one would have been difficult for me to go to in the sense that it would be in a significantly dangerous neighborhood. So, I decided to attend a church of a higher socioeconomic demographic.)

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

Caught up in the flood of people, I entered the huge, modern church. Finding the main auditorium was proving more difficult than I thought as I zigzagged through the maze of missions booths, cafes, a large eating hall, hallways leading to children’s care wings, fountains, etc., but, in following the airport-like signs I eventually found my way in. The auditorium reminded me of the Broadway theaters in Chicago with a massive main level and multiple balcony levels. The service opened with contemporary Christian music where the stage was brightly and colorfully lit and the audience was immersed in darkness. A soulful saxophone solo followed and then a very talented African American woman sang a gospel rendition of The Lord’s Prayer. Lights came on and huge windows were uncovered, flooding the auditorium with natural light. After announcements from the head pastor, an offering time, and greeting of neighbors, three guest speakers were introduced as part of the Celebration of Hope series which focuses on compassion ministries, especially globally, and how to get involved. All three speakers powerfully gave their message, composed of personal narrative, Scripture, and a call to action. The service ended after these messages and some short announcements. Almost everything about this service was very different from my own. My home church is small, meets in a very plain building, does not have fancy lighting or sound, has no paid leaders, and would not have access to well known or professional musicians or speakers.

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

One thing that surprised me was the great ethnic diversity as well as some socioeconomic diversity that was present in the congregation. I sat next to a friendly couple from Ecuador and could see individuals from all major parts of the world simply looking around from my seat. This diversity brought richness in perspective and expression, and also a sense of unity in so many differing people coming together to worship and share in an emotional time of personal narrative from the speakers.

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

At points I felt a little uneasy about the lavish buildings, decorations, etc. (including the most comfortable seats… better than many movie theaters!), especially in the context of the needs around the world expressed through the speakers on this particular Sunday. There were also times where I felt tension with the very well-dressed, articulate, and smiley stereotype that was seen on stage, both because it could seem fake, but also in contrast to the deep challenges discussed by the speakers.

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

I’ve tended to generally look down on mega churches in the past since it can be argued that they don’t really provide a place of real connection for people and make it easy to show up to church on Sunday and sit there, then return to a totally different way of living the rest of the week. But, there was something very powerful in worshipping and praying in a gathering that large. Matthew 18:20 states, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,” and at this service I felt this truth of community leading to the clear presence of the Holy Spirit. Somehow, I did not feel lost in the crowd, but connected and empowered by the Spirit. He can so clearly work in both large and small settings, which I had seemed to have forgotten.