Lauren Graham - Visit #3

Lawndale Community Church

1443 W. Roosevelt Rd. Chicago, IL 60607

3/22/15

Lower socioeconomic demographic

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

I attended a church service that was unlike any church service I had attended before.  It was one of the most valuable church visits I have done in my life.  It was a church in the city, in a fairly dangerous neighborhood.  It was very different from my regular context in the style of worship, but I did see some general similarities as well.  It was mostly African American, there was a call and response throughout the sermon, and there were only a few children in attendance.  They left after the singing to go to their Sunday school classes.  The size of the church in general was different from my regular context as well.  My church is fairly large with 3 full services.   

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

Initially when I walked in I was surprised at the set up of the room.  All of the chairs were pointed toward the middle, and there was a large platform in the middle.  The pastor spoke from there and rotated while speaking, and the worship leaders led worship from there.  I had never seen anything like that.  I really liked it.  It felt more like a family, and I was a visitor.  In addition, I felt very welcomed by the congregation.  Clearly I was not a regular attender, but the members did not look at me as if I was an outsider.  I felt comfortable.  After the service I spoke briefly with the pastor; he was so warm and inviting.  I could see myself coming back.  I also had a chance to talk with Dr. Lee after the service and he told me about the various ministries the church is involved in.  I was amazed at the intentionality and specificity of the ministries for the particular neighborhood the church is in.  The ministries are thought out and have a specific purpose.  They create a way for the community to naturally integrate with the church regularly.  I found this very encouraging.

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

            To be honest, nothing stuck out to me as disorienting while I was at this church.  I guess I might say that I was not sure what to expect since I had heard the church was in such a dangerous neighborhood.  But after hearing Coach speak and knowing that Dr. Lee loves it so much, I was pretty comfortable going into it.  Honestly, I really enjoyed my experience; I felt refreshed leaving and I was so glad that I decided to visit Lawndale.

 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 was on John 14, speaking about how we should not worry, but believe in Jesus.  I have heard messages like this before, but I saw it in a different light during this service.  After the service, Dr. Lee graciously explained to us that the spot we were sitting in is usually reserved for ex-convicts that are in currently in the Hope House.  After I got over the embarrassment of sitting in the wrong place, it sank in.  I was worshipping with people who have gone through extremely hard things.  I do not know any of their stories, but as the pastor said, we will all face troubles at some point in our lives.  I was humbled at the joyful, sweet spirits that everyone seemed to have, despite the pain they have been through.  This helped me to better appreciate the joy that comes only from Christ in painful situations.  It was so wonderful to worship with these people of God.