missio

Last night, Miranda and I were in the Raleigh-Durham area looking at engagement rings (it went well), and we decided to go to the 6pm service at Vintage21 in downtown Raleigh. I’d been there before for an Acts29 luncheon, but never to a service. Here are some quick thoughts:

• Greeter was nice and friendly, snacks were a nice touch.
• The information booth was well-organized, and well laid out. The “get involved” board on the wall detailing the various ministries within the church was a great idea. I may borrow that one.
• We were there a little early, before most people showed up (probably 150 total, give or take), and we weren’t really spoken to by anyone from the church. The greeter did her job, and that’s about it. Hopefully, it’s because all the other people were new to the church as well.
  
• Matt Stevens, the worship leader, did a great job leading us in worship, explaining what it was, and he had good stage presence. The band was really good (better than I had expected, to be honest), and it was easy to tell that they weren’t just playing the songs, they were worshipping. I also really enjoyed Scripture reading during the time of worship: it’s hard to find that anymore.
• The songs they played were great lyrically, reflecting the Gospel: Vintage21 had written two of the ones we sang; the other was “Overwhelmed” by Robbie Seay. I’m a big fan of writing your own worship music locally, for many reasons. It was glad to see another church that feels the same way.
• The technical guys did a great job the whole night, with very few miscues on Powerpoint (I only remember one). Great job, if you happen to be reading!
• The transition from worship to teaching was kind of smooth, but awkward at the same time. The worship band just kind of stepped off, Tyler (the lead pastor) stepped on, and that was it. It worked pretty well, but it was different coming from a “traditional” church setting.
• Tyler did the announcements himself, and then efficiently delivered a well-prepared and engaging sermon on the topic of envy in Proverbs (note: we were thinking it was going to be parenting because that’s what the website had said).
• Miranda and I thought the ending transition was kind of odd. Tyler put questions for thought/discussion on the powerpoint (great idea), talked about offering (where to put it) and communion (where it was), and then kind of left us hanging. To a newcomer, communion would be kind of confusing (what is it, what do I do, etc.). Communion was also an individual practice. I didn’t like that too much, but it’s just personal preference. I think communion should be, well, communal. Just my opinion, though. It did allow for personal reflection and preparation and, should someone feel unworthy, they could avoid communion if they felt it inappropriate for them at the time, without risk of embarassment.
• The facilities were very clean and well-decorated.
• Overall, a very good service, and I can see why they are growing and having to move.

I really look forward to working with Acts29, Lord willing, and planting churches similar to Vintage21: contextualized to the surrounding culture in order to redeem it and its people through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.