The Church That Isn't Like A Church

I am just beginning to get my head around what happened to my wife and me over this past weekend. Wow! what a difference a few days can make in your life… Where do I begin to share with you what took place…there were so many contrasts.

The church I would like to introduce you to is the “New Song Church” in Windsor, Ontario. It is located in the north-east area of Windsor – not far from the Detroit River. It is on Drouillard Road of the Walkerville area. The area is almost forgotten as it is tucked away from the other fast moving parts of Windsor. The church itself is housed in an old bar that has been reclaimed and renovated somewhat. But it still retains much of its old bar feeling as you enter the main door.

It is best that I simply share what we saw to really describe what the church is like.

First - Church at New Song never really stops or starts – it is ongoing. It seems that you never really have a pause in the week – the moment that the event that has just happened is complete another event is being set up for. There is an ebb and flow that is amazing to watch.

Next – the people at each church setting are different from the last setting or function. The functions reach people of so many different echelons that it is hard to describe. And each function has a definite goal in mind. Each goal has been designed by people that are connected to that function as volunteers.

6:00 PM – Friday evening….
New Song was a buzz when we arrived a little after 6 PM. People and kids were everywhere. The smell of good food filled the air and people were sitting at the round tables distributed across the sanctuary floor. Immediately in front of us as we walked in was the serving area which was directly in front of the large industrial kitchen. Remember this was a bar at one time with a food preparation area.

People were noisy and happy. Kids ran around the tables. Toward the platform area with the pulpit, at the far right from where we walked in, was the racks of clothing that is provided free for anyone who may be in need.

People around the tables were from the local community. My guess is that they all walked to the Friday night happening. This guess was fairly accurate I believe, in that there were very few cars outside compared to the people inside. These people sitting around the tables were not likely people that carried heavy financing at a bank for a shiny new vehicle.

2:30 PM – Saturday afternoon…
There is a staff of people assembled preparing for the evening ahead. They work in the kitchen and are carrying things in and out. The bustle is there as people prepare. I have arrived a half hour early to teach an art class to whoever is interested. For the next two hours we will be drawing and trying different things to capture and stir new interest in each person’s ability. Hopefully it will help someone and fit into New Song’s approach to community.

7:00 PM – Saturday evening…
Alida and I walked into the already bustling room again. Musicians were preparing for “Saturday Night Live”. People had already gathered around the table listening to the warm up of the musicians. Some just sat to get in from outside and the cooler evening.

For the next hour and a half the room is filled with music and songs – most of which are done as a performance for those that listen. At about 8:25 PM my part began as I spoke to the new audience as the preacher for the night. Then at 9:00 PM after closing in prayer everyone stood quickly to line up along the side of the room to get their next meal.

This Saturday Night Live crowd is different from the Friday night group. There are hardly any kids. A few of the adults were there last night but for the most part this is the older single individual crowd with hundreds of different needs represented.

A number came forward to where we stood near the platform/stage. They asked for prayer while the majority went to the back of the auditorium for their meal.

Following the meal a number came to talk to me or discuss what had been talked about.

We headed home at about 9:45 PM.

10:00 AM – Sunday Morning Worship…
The musicians are tuning up again for their Sunday AM set. They are different from last evening’s group but equally as talented. The music flows steadily from the group. All the time the group is warming up the folk now gather in the rows of chairs that are now set up where the round tables were set up the night before.

The flow of people is steady from the open front doors. Kids are running around and playing in the foyer. Young adults are mixed with older adults. People that are better off than the ones that are not so well off sit near each other. Everyone is talking to each other as they enter and as they find their seats. There is a festival attitude in the room and a genuine happiness to be in “church”.

For the next hour we stood (or sat) as the leaders took us through the songs and activities that were offered. Nothing dragged on – everything moved at the speed the music that was played – it all flowed together.

There was a break in service as Communion was offered to the audience. This usually formal part of a service was not formal at all. But in its own way New Song offers the communion elements completely different than any other church I have attended.

As Pastor Kevin Rogers explained what they were going to do he arranged the trays of communion cups and trays of communion bread like a buffet along a rectangular table. After explaining to the folk what communion was all about he invited them to begin forming a line in the left aisle as you looked at the platform. The participants then moved down each side of the table to first eat the bread and then drink the cup. As we stood in line with each other and waited our turn we talked freely and lovingly. Some folk hugged those sitting beside the aisle. Others shook hands. At the table they each paused as they ate and drank…then moved on. The ease of the communion was so simple. We had simply remembered the Lord as we ate and drank together – almost like the original communion so long ago. Jesus was there with us.

Just before I began to preach the sermon Pastor Kevin explained that a recovery/support group would meet during the service. A leader came to explain what was happening and invited anyone there to join them in this next part. If the individuals present were struggling with any addiction they were welcome to the recovery group. About one third of the audience left as did the children who went to Sunday School.

How do you possibly explain….?
I find it hard to explain accurately what I saw or felt in New Song Church this past weekend. It has left me with a feeling that I want to return. I think that everyone in the three audiences that we took part in wanted the same. In fact I am positive that is what was happening.

It was not hard to see that men coming from prison and people that have never committed a crime in their lives – were all welcome at New Song. In fact the setting that we were in many had these so very different backgrounds but blended so well together.

Two young men stood at the rear of the sanctuary helping with an information kind of table. In front of them was an array of T Shirts for sale. They gave Alida and me two T Shirts. The silk screened statement on the T Shirt summed up what we had witnessed this weekend….

The words read… “Jesus lives in Drouillard Road” and then “New Song Church” is printed below a picture of Jesus with his arms reaching out.

I think I have been to a place that is much like Heaven…and I can’t wait to go back.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Resource

New Song Church - Windsor, Ontario, Canada - Morning Worship Nov. 4, 2007 on YouTube
About New Song Church -http://www.dwightozard.com/lq-print.asp?id=68
Info related to New Song - http://windsoressex.cioc.ca/details.asp?RSN=3037