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EmoryUniversityCandlerSchoolofTheology
PATCHWORK:BUILDINGCHRISTIANCOMMUNITYTHROUGHTHEINTRODUCTIONOFANEWWORSHIPSERVICEASAMEANSOFRENEWALINAHISTORICUNITEDMETHODIST
CONGREGATION
FinalProjectReportPresentedinPartialFulfillment
OftheRequirementsfortheDegreeDoctorofMinistry
TrackTwo:BiblicalInterpretationandProclamationBy
JohnW.Mattox,Jr.March13,2017
TABLEOFCONTENTS
PREFACE:WORD……………………………………………………………………………………………………….......i 1.INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………………....1 Snapshot:WestPoint,GA………………………………………………………………….….......1 Snapshot:WestPointFirstUnitedMethodistChurch………………………………....2 StatementoftheProblem………………………………………………………………………….3 OldWineskins……………………………………………………………………………….4 PATCHWORK................................................................................................................5 2.WESLEYANINTHEOLOGY..............................................................................................................7 CommunityasRenewal..........................................................................................................7 AnEcumenicalCommunity...................................................................................................9 ASacramentalCommunity..................................................................................................12 3.ANCIENT-FUTUREINFORM........................................................................................................15 WhatShape? .............................................................................................................................15 Not“Traditional”.......................................................................................................16 Not“Contemporary”................................................................................................17 A“ThirdWay,”HolyPlay,andAllThatJazz...................................................18 Ancient–Future......................................................................................................................19 4.FRUITFULINFUNCTION...............................................................................................................22 WorshipwithaPurpose.......................................................................................................22 TheFivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations..............................................................23 LaunchingPad,Touchstone,andBenchmark.............................................................24 RadicalHospitality..................................................................................................................25 PassionateWorship...............................................................................................................25 IntentionalFaithDevelopment.........................................................................................26 Risk-TakingMissions.............................................................................................................26 ExtravagantGenerosity........................................................................................................27
[TABLEOFCONTENTSContinued...] 5.RESULTS...............................................................................................................................................28 DefiningandMeasuringRenewal....................................................................................28 TheNumbers..............................................................................................................28 TheIntangibles..........................................................................................................29 StaffAssessment.......................................................................................................30 PlansfortheFuture...............................................................................................................31 6.BIBLIOGRAPHY...................................................................................................................................33
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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PREFACE:WORD
Butthosewhodidwelcomehim,thosewhobelievedinhisname,heauthorizedtobecomeGod’schildren,13bornnotfrombloodnorfromhumandesireorpassion,butbornfromGod.14TheWordbecamefleshandmadehishomeamongus.Wehaveseenhisglory,glorylikethatofafather’sonlyson,fullofgraceandtruth.-John1:12-14(CEB) Thepastorstoodoutsideonthesidewalkwavingandexchangingsignsofblessingat
thepassingtraffic.Hewasgreetedwithsolemnnods,enthusiasticwaves,theraiseofan
indexfinger,orthehalftootofahorn.Hegavethanksfor,claimed,andblessedallofthem.
Hesawanelderlyneighboracrossthestreetand,pullinguphisvestments(aworn-
outflaxenalbandanewwhiteandgoldstole)inanintentionallycomicalfashion,ran
acrossthestreettoshareaquickwordandlongerembrace.
Behindhimabeautifulwindowilluminatedfromtheinsiderestsfirmintheheavy
blockwallabovethemassivewoodendoorsoftheScott-ZachryChapel.TheChapelstands
asanensignofimminentsolidness,yetitwhispersabreathofantiquityintothestill
morningair.
Asthepeoplecametothechapel,theypassedthroughheavywoodendoorsfolded
outlikearmslongingforembrace.Eachinturnwasgreetedwithakindwordandasmile
permanentlyaffixedtoamanwhowashandingoutbulletins.Thissmilewasaforetasteof
allthatwastocome.
Thepeoplewereallverydifferentmostwereaverageheightandplump,butsome
weretall,andatleastoneseemedabittooskinny.Theagesofthosewhostreamedintothe
gatheringwereacrosssectionofthecommunity.Theoldestwasacentenarian;the
youngestwasnotyetayearold.Threegenerationsofonefamilyfilledanentirepew,while
anotherfamilywasrepresentedbyasingleyouth.Theywerearainbowofdiversityin
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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color,class,creed,intellect,andinterest,butallwerewelcomedwiththesameprodigal
love.Somehadbeenlookingforwardtothismomentforweeks;otherswerestillnotsure
whattoexpect.
Eachofthesenseswascalledtoworshipinthisplacewiththesmellsofincenseand
theflavorofcandycanes,thesoundsofthenewlyrestoredorgan,andthebuzzofexcited
conversation,andthecrispfreshnessofnewbannershangingoverhead.Eachstimuli
triggeredbothdeepmemoriesandnewexperiencesasnoveltyandnostalgiameldedinto
one.
Thechapel,whichhadbeenfunctionallyabandoneduntilveryrecently,wasnow
filledwithnewlife.Multipleprayerstationswerelocatedthroughoutthesacredspace.
Candles,representingprayers,blazedonatableunderawindow.A50-inchmonitorinthe
chancelalternatedbetweenhistoricalprayersandcurrentannouncements,ancienticons
andInternetmemes.Thebaptismalfontwasinfrontofthekneelingrailthatframedthe
chancel.Thealtar,coveredwithawhitehandmadequilt,servedasthefocalpointofthe
room.
Asthevolumeoftheorganincreased,thepeoplepreparedforworship.What
happenednextcanonlybedescribedasaliturgicalturducken!1
ThewordsofwelcomewerereminiscentofafieldcallthatbeganwithLuke2:10-11
andendedinwithanantiphonicdoxology.Theprayerswereextemporaneous
compositionsandancientcanticlesofferedinsilenceandinsong.ThelectionaryGospel
1“Turduckenisadishconsistingofadebonedchickenstuffedintoadebonedduck,furtherstuffedintoadebonedturkey.”“Turducken,”Wikipedia,lastmodifiedMarch5,2017,accessedMarch13,2017,http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turducken.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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lessonassignedforthatdaywasdividedintothreeparts,allowingthreedifferentliturgists
toleadthecongregationintotheinterconnectedmovementsintheservice.Themusicfor
thatmorningincludedhymns,spirituals,folktunes,carols,andarockballad.Worshipin
songwasofferedtotheaccompanimentoftheorgan,anacousticguitar,andinthesimple
poweroftheunaccompaniedhumanvoice.Abriefhomilyonthemysteryoftheincarnation
endeavoredtoattendtotheimplicationsofoneaspectoftheGospellesson,pullallthe
eclecticelementstogether,andpointtotheEucharist.TheEucharisticcelebration
combinedancientwordswithfamiliartunesandallwereinvitedtosingtogetherasthey
werere-memberedoncemoreintothebodyofChrist.
Attheconclusionoftheservice,theChristiancommunitypubliclyrenewedtheir
commitmenttoGodandneighbor,andfournewmemberswerewelcomedintofellowship.
Oneofthenewmembersofferedabenediction,andallwenttoserveGodandneighborin
peace.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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INTRODUCTION
Nobodypoursnewwineintooldwineskins.Iftheydid,thenewwinewouldburstthewineskins,thewinewouldspill,andthewineskinswouldberuined.38Instead,newwinemustbeputintonewwineskins.-Luke5:37-38(CEB)
Snapshot:WestPoint,GA
TheCityofWestPoint,GeorgiastraddlestheChattahoocheeRiverabouteighty
milessoutheastofAtlantaonI-85.WestPointspanstwocountiesinGeorgia,Harrisand
Troup,andbordersChambersCountyinAlabama.WestPointispartofanareacalled“The
Valley,”made-upofseveralinterconnectedhistorictextilemillcommunities.Thetextile
industrydominatedtheeconomyandcultureof“TheValley”forgenerationsandattracted
engineers,mechanics,andcountlesswhiteandblue-collarworkers.Diversityismuch
richerinWestPointthanonemightexpect;Anglos,AfricanAmericans,Hispanics,Asians,
andinternationalstudentsareincreasinglyrepresentedinacommunityof3,728.2
WestPointhasbeendirectlyaffectedbychangesintechnologyandglobaleconomic
shiftsoverthepastthreedecades.Thetextileindustrybeganmovingproductionoutofthe
countrybeginninginthe1980’sandcompletelybythe2000’s.Thousandsofjobswerelost,
andthecommunitydecreasedinpopulation.Whentheexodusofindustryandpeople
combinedwiththemarketcollapseandGreatRecessionof2008,WestPointand“The
Valley”wereeconomicallydevastated,culturallystripped,andfurtherreducedin
population.
Recently,WestPointhasenjoyedaperiodofprosperityandnewbirth.Almostten
yearsago,WestPointbecamethehomeofanassemblyplantforKiaMotorsandmultiple
2“PopulationofWestPoint,GA,”UnitedStatesCensusBureau,accessedJanuary10,2017http:www.census.gov.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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supplierplantshavefollowed.PointUniversity,formerlyAtlantaChristianCollege,has
moveditsprimarycampustodowntownWestPoint,andconstructionprojectsaredaily
changingthelandscape,asoldemptybuildingsarerenovated,repurposed,andreplaced.
Cityparksandnewbusinessesarespringingup.PeoplearecomingtomakeWestPoint
theirhome.Youngerandmoreculturallydiverse,theWestPointthatisemergingis
drasticallydifferentfromtheWestPointthatwas.Almostunnoticedtomanyinthe
communityarethedrasticeffectsallthesechangeshaveonthelocalchurchesandthenew
opportunitiesforserviceandevangelismthatareawaitingforexploration.
Snapshot:WestPointFirstUnitedMethodistChurch
WestPointFirstUnitedMethodistChurch(WPFUMC)isamedium-sized
congregationwith474membersandanaverageweeklyworshipattendanceof169.West
PointMethodistEpiscopalChurch(South)wasestablishedin1830,twoyearsbeforethe
incorporationoftheCityofWestPoint.WPFUMChasbeensomewhatinsulatedfrommuch
oftheeconomichardshipanddeclinesufferedbyotherchurchesintheareaoverthelast
fewyears.However,ithasbecomeincreasinglyobviousthatWPFUMCisnotimmuneto
thechallengesofministryinachangingworld.Oldfundsarebeingdepletedwithnomeans
ofreplenishment,andhistoricfamiliesaredyingatarelentlesspace.Wearenotretaining
ouryoungadultmembershipandwearenoteffectivelyconnectingwiththepeoplemoving
intoourarea.Inordertocontinuemeetingtheneedsofourexistingcongregationandto
serveourchangingcommunity,thechurchmustfindnewwaystocommunicatetheGospel
withauthenticity,humility,andpower.Weneedacontemporaryexpressionofourancient
faithandameanstomakenewconnectionswithourneighbors.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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StatementoftheProblem
CantheintroductionofanewworshipservicecreateaChristiancommunityand
serveasameansofrenewalinahistoricUnitedMethodistcongregation?Ofcoursethis
questioninvitesahostofotherquestions.Whatmakesaworshipservicenew?What
exactlyisaChristiancommunity?And,ofcourse,whatisrenewalandhowdowemeasure
it?Forthepurposesofthepresentstudy,thefollowingdefinitionsmaybeoffered:
Aworshipserviceis“new”whenitclaimsnewtimes,locations,andpeopletogather
toworshipGodinamannerthatisuniqueandspecifictothatcontext.
A“Christiancommunity”isagroupofpeoplewithacommonvocationoffollowing
Jesus,inthepoweroftheHolySpirit,tothegloryofGod.
“Renewal”isanelusiveconcepttodefine.Inalocalchurchsetting,renewalisabout
positivechangesinthelifeofachurchorfaithcommunitythatcanbequantifiedand
measured,butthatisnotall.Renewal,ofcourse,isalsoanintangiblefeelingofgrowth,
enthusiasm,andnewlifewithinacongregation,butthistooisnotall.Usingsomeofthe
ideasofJaneRogersVann,3renewalisalsoadeepeningofworshipandthecongregation’s
participationinandreflectiononit.Renewalisaboutanenhancementofthe
congregation’sfulfillmentofitsmission.Renewalisaboutrestoringandcreatinglife-
changingrelationshipswithalargersegmentofthepopulation.Thesearelargeissuesthat
canbeaddressedbytakingupsmallerpieces,oneatatime.Thatisexactlywhatthis
projectisproposedtodo.
3JaneRogersVann,GatheredbeforeGod:Worship-CenteredChurchRenewal(Louisville:WestminsterJohnKnoxPress,2004),3.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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OldWineskins IwasappointedasPastor-In-ChargeofWPFUMCeffectiveJune28,2015.Fromthe
firstmentionofthispossibilityinMayof2015,Ibeganworkingtomakethemostofthe
opportunitiesthatoccurwithachangeinpastoralleadership.UsingRobertKaylor’sbook,
YourBestMove:EffectiveLeadershipTransitionfortheLocalPastor.4Ibeganworkingwith
theDistrictSuperintendentandtheChairpersonoftheStaffPastorParishRelations
Committeetobuildatransitionteamandplanaseriesofinformalgatheringswith
interestedmembersofthecongregation.Iwouldcontinueforthenextsixmonthstoseek
tohaveconversationswitheveryindividual,family,andsmallgroupinthechurchsothatI
couldhaveabasicunderstandingoftheirstories.Basedontheseconversations,
explorationsineverycornerofthefacilities,andacarefulstudyofthechurchrecords,I
concludedthatboththecongregationandIwerereadytoexplorewaystoaddressthe
declineandlaythefoundationsforthefuture.
WPFUMChadalottooffertoourcommunityincludingexcellentfacilities,a
wonderfultraditionalworshipservice,activesmallgroupministries,long-termcommunity
outreachprograms,top-notchstaff,andgenuinelyfriendlypeople.Inspiteofthese
strengths,therewasasteadydeclineinworshipattendance,giving,andinothermetrics
collectedandreportedtoourgoverningbody,theNorthGeorgiaAnnualConference.The
churchwasnotassuccessfulinretainingyoungfamiliesandconnectingwiththepeople
whoweremovingintotheareaastheyhadbeeninthepast.Thechallengesinsituations
likethisarebothnumerousandsubtle.Howcanweintroducesomethingnewandvital
withoutitbecomingjustanotherprogramorunintentionallydamagingtheexisting4RobertKaylor,YourBestMove:EffectiveLeadershipTransitionfortheLocalChurch(Wilmore,KY:SeedbedPublishing,2013).
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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worshipserviceandprograms?Throughmultipleconversationswithpeoplewhodidnot
attendourtraditionalservice,Idiscoveredanentirepopulationthatwouldbenefitfrom
theministriesofourchurch,butwhomthechurchwasnotreaching.Bycarefullyusing
fallowresourceswecouldexperimentwithanewanddifferentworshipservicethatwould
beinsupportoftheotherserviceandprogramsofthechurch.Weslowlyandcarefully
beganputtingtogetheraweeklyserviceofWordandTablethatwouldbecome
PATCHWORK.
PATCHWORK
TheideaforPATCHWORK camefromavarietysourcesoverthecourseofseveral
years.Itmostconcretelybeganwithathoughtexperimentthatcameduringa
congregationalstudyofRobertSchnase’sFivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations.5What
woulditlooklikeifadecliningcongregationwaschargedtoplanta“newchurch”andwas
providedwithanexcellentfacility,paidclergy,modestoperatingexpenses,anda
committedcoremembership?Sometimelater,IwasstruckbythestatementbyLeonard
Sweetinhisbook,IAmaFollower,whichsaid,“Iamincreasinglycallingforartisanal
communitieswheresuccessismeasurednotinstatisticsbutinstoriestoldinanauthentic
voice.”6Whatifanewchurchdidnottrytobeattractivetoeveryone,butspokedeeplyto
anunderservedgroupornichewithinthecommunity?TheideabecameadreamandI
continuallyreadeverythingIcouldaboutchurchrenewal,liturgicalrenewal,andworship
renewal.Iexperimentedwithafewpieceshereandthereinthecongregationsand
5RobertSchnase,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2007).6LeonardSweet,IAmaFollower:TheWay,Truth,andLifeofFollowingJesus(Nashville:ThomasNelson,2012),82.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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communitieswhereIwasappointed,andslowlybuiltstrongerideasasthedreambecame
apassion.
Finally,presentedwiththeopportunity,itwasimportanttobeintentionalin
buildingaservicethatdrewfromthebestlessonsofthepast,wassensitivetothecurrent
needsofaportionofourcommunity,andanticipatesthefuture.Becauseofouruniquegifts
andgracesasacongregationandpastor,andbasedontheneedsofourcommunity,we
createdPATCHWORKasaworshipservicethatisWesleyanintheology,Ancient-Futurein
form,andfruitfulinpractice.Thenameservesasareminderoftheimportanceoftextiles,
creativity,andfrugalityinourhistory.Further,thenameisanodtothefactthattheservice
isnotdedicatedtoonestyleofworship.Instead,itisourdesiretounitepersonsfrom
differentbackgroundsintoonepeopleworshipingGodtogetherinspiritandtruth.The
word“patchwork”functionsasbothanounandaverbreferringtoboththequiltmadeof
differentmaterialsandtheprocessofpiecingittogether.
ThecreationofPATCHWORKwasnotanaccidentbutaprocessthatincluded
carefulstudy,deepconversations,andmuchprayer.Iwantedtomakethemostofthis
opportunitytocreatesomethingnewinourcommunity.
WESLEYANINTHEOLOGY
WeknowthatGodworksallthingstogetherforgoodfortheoneswholoveGod,forthosewhoarecalledaccordingtohispurpose-Romans8:28(CEB)
OurcurrentsituationinWestPointisnottoodifferentfromtheconditionsthatgave
birthtotheMethodistMovement.Methodismwasarenewaleffortinresponsetotheloss
ofChristiancommunityandthealienationofwholepopulationsfromtheChurch.The
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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enduringsuccessofJohnWesleyisdueinparttohisgeniusinbuildingChristian
communities.
CommunityasRenewal
InTheNewCreation,TheodoreRunyoncarefullyexplorestheimportanceofthe
formationofChristiancommunitysaying,
Genuinehumanexistencerequirescommunity.Thus,thechurchiscalledintobeingforadualpurposethatisfinallyone:forthesakeofhumanity,andtofulfillGod'sdesigns.7
RunyonquotesWesleyassaying,“ThegospelofChristknowsofnoreligionbut
social,noholinessbutsocialholiness."Faithworkingbylove“isthelengthandbreadthand
depthandheightofChristianperfection.”8Itisonlyinthecontextofcommunitythatthe
commandtoloveGodandneighborcanbefulfilled.Wesley,inhis“conjunctivetheology,”9
sawworksofpietyandworksofmercyasinseparable,orashephrasedit,“Areyoubetter
instructedthantoputasunderwhatGodhasjoined?Thantoseparateworksofpietyfrom
worksofmercy?"
WesleyunderstoodChristiancommunityasameansofgrace.Unlikeother
preachersofthetimewhomayhaveattractedmoreattentionandpraise,Wesleydidnot
relyonthestrengthofhispreachingalonetoeffectrenewal,butmultipliedthefruitsofhis
preachingbyinvestingintheintentionalcreationofChristiancommunitiesasnurseriesof
faith.Asaresult,twothirdsofthe“conversions”reportedamongMethodistscameafteran
7TheodoreRunyon,TheNewCreation:JohnWesley’sTheologyToday(Nashville:AbingdonPress,1998),105.8Ibid.,112.9WilliamH.Willimon,UnitedMethodistBeliefs:ABriefIntroduction(Louisville:WestminsterJohnKnoxPress,2007),49.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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averageof2.3yearsofcommunitynurture.10Evertheempiricist,Wesleyspenttheyears
1746-1748focusedonpreachingalone,withoutthecreationofsupportingcommunities
andreported,“Almostalltheseedhasfallenbythewayside;thereisscarceanyfruit
remaining."11
Asnurseriesoffaith,theMethodistsocietieswelcomedmanywhohadbecome
disaffectedintoa:
close-knitfellowshipofmutualsupportandencouragementinasocialandeconomicenvironmentthatwasdestroyingthenaturalcommunitieswhichfrommedievaltimeshadprovidedthestructureofhumansociety.12
Wholepersonswerecaredforasthecommunity“watchedovertheminlove,”“marked
theirgrowthingrace,”and“prayedforandwiththem.”13Thelayleadershipofthenew
communities“helpedthesickanddisabled,”“encouragedthediscouraged,”and“reproved
thewandering.”14Thus,evangelismandrenewalintheWesleytraditionisnotbasedon
“thehardsellbuttheinherentattractivenessofaholisticconcernforpersonsatthepoint
oftheirneed.”15
RenewalintheMethodisttraditionisinescapablyfoundinthecreationand
organizationofChristiancommunity.AsWesleysaid,"WeintroduceChristianfellowship,
whereitwasutterlydestroyed.Andthefruitsofithavebeenpeace,joy,love,andzealfor
everygoodwordandwork."16
10Runyon,TheNewCreation,115.11Ibid.12Ibid.,118.13Ibid.,123.14Ibid.,124.15Ibid.,125.16Ibid.,122.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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PATCHWORKexpressesacommitmenttobuildinganewChristiancommunityand
tosupporting,stimulating,andsupplementingexistingcommunities.Wecontinuallystrive
toreclaim,restore,andrededicateunusedorunderusedspaceinourbuildingtothe
serviceofGodandneighbor.Wearecommittedtoreachingouttopersonswhoare
disconnectedfromChristiancommunityduetothelossofrelationshipsandcommunity
structuresornegativeexperiences.Wearepassionateindeepeningthefaithofallpersons
inourcommunityandtodiscovering,developing,anddeployingthegiftsofeachperson.
AnEcumenicalCommunity
WhilefaithfullyworkinginthecontextoftheAnglicanChurch,Wesleysawtherole
oftheMethodistmovementasgoingbeyondthedenominationaldividestorenewunityof
pietyandgoodworkswithinthewholechurch.WesleywasconvincedthatGodhadraised
upthepeoplecalledMethodistswiththedesignofusingthem:
tospreadscripturalreligionthroughouttheland,amongpeopleofeverydenomination,leavingeveryonetoholdhisownopinionsandtofollowhisownmodeofworship...toleaventhewholenationwiththat‘faiththatworkethbylove.’17
Runyondefinesecumenismas:
theefforttoovercomethebarriersandconflictsbetweenmemberchurchesintheChristianfamily,tomanifesttheBodyofChrist,andtohonornotjustinrhetoricbutinrealityofthehighpriestlyprayerofJesus(John17:21).18
AccordingtoRunyon,theecumenicalmovementisa“factoflife”19forthechurchinthe
twentiethcenturyandadistinguishingmarkagainstabackgroundoffivecenturiesof
divisiondrivenby:“doctrinalcontroversies,nationalism,ethnocentrism,andcapitalism”20
17Ibid.,107.18Ibid.,207.19Ibid.20Ibid.,208.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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andthedestructiveimpulseof“beatingupthecompetitionandbuildingupthe
denominationalmarketshare.”21
Wesleydidnotintendtofoundanewdenomination.Itwasinresponsetothe
overwhelmingneedforcommunity,toprovidesacramentstoneglectedorunderserved
populations,andtheindifferenceorevenantagonismoftheexistingstructures,thatthe
Methodistsbegantobuildoracquirechapels.
Wesleyhimselfwasofa“catholicspirit.”Runyonidentifiesatleast5different
ChristianfaithtraditionsthatcontributedtoWesley’stheology:Puritanism,Anglicanism,
MoravianLutheranPietism,RomanCatholicism,andEasternOrthodoxy.22Tothislist,we
shouldconsiderCalvinismasashapinginfluencealbeitinamorenegativesense.Wesley
sawdivisioninthechurchasafailureofimaginationandmutualaffectionthatresultedin
thelossofinfluence,compromisedthecommonwitness,anddiminishedusefulnessleading
toalossofthe“spiritofreligion”inthe“spiritofcontroversy.”23Partofthecreativegenius
ofWesley’sconjunctive,practical,and“responsible”24theologywasplacing“theLutheran
doctrineofjustificationwithinthecontextofadoctrineofsanctificationderivedultimately
fromEasternpatristicsources.”25
Asaresultofthis“catholicspirit,”Runyonremindsusthat,“manyofthepersons
joiningMethodistsocietieswerenotAnglicansbutNonconformists,Separatists,Baptists,
Presbyterians,Quakers,andevenRomanCatholics.”26
21Ibid.22Ibid.23Ibid.,104.24RandyMaddox,ResponsibleGrace:JohnWesley’sPracticalTheology(Nashville:KingswoodBooks,1994).25Runyon,TheNewCreation,213.26Ibid.,118.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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LikeourEpiscopalsiblings,itcanbedifficulttoclassifyMethodistsalongthe
historicallinesofdivisionwithintheChristianfamily.BishopMackStokesinhisclassic
work,MajorUnitedMethodistBeliefs,makestheclaimthatTheUnitedMethodistChurchis:
catholic,protestant,andevangelical.Itiscatholic(universal)becauseitsharesinthebiblicalrevelationandinthevast,rich,cumulativetraditionsofChristianity…protestantinthatittakesthebibleseriously…andevangelicalinitsemphasisonalivingrelationshipwithGodthroughChrist.27
Addingtothisidea,BishopWilliamH.Willimonpointstowhatthislookslikeinpractice
saying,“Soinourworshipwearebothpietistic,free-churchprotestantsandsacramental,
liturgicalcatholics.”28Hecontinues:
SoonSundays,inourchurches,youarelikelytoprayanAnglicanprayer,singaBaptistpraisechorus,hearthechoirsingaLutheranchorale,gettheologyfromthepulpitthatsoundssomewhatPresbyterian,andcelebrateitallwiththeLord'sSupperandaPrayerofThanksgivingthatismostlyindebtedtotheCatholics.29
Further,RussellRicheyidentifiesecumenismasoneoftheprimarymarksofMethodism
saying,
UnitedMethodismcanbecountedonforalmostanyunitiveeffort,anycooperativeendeavor,anylifeandworkenterprise.Fromthebeginningoftheecumenicalmovement,Methodistsassumedleadership,astheydotoday.30
BorrowingfromthebestpracticesoftheChristianfamilyisalargepartofouridentityas
MethodistandoneofthewaysthatPATCHWORKseekstowelcomepeopleofdifferent
faithtraditions,confessingthatwearestrongestwhenweareworkingwithandlearning
27MackB.Stokes,MajorUnitedMethodistBeliefsRevised,Revisededition(Nashville:AbingdonPress,1998),133–34.28Willimon,UnitedMethodistBeliefs,48.29Ibid.,49.30DennisM.Campbell,RussellE.Richey,andWilliamB.Lawrence,UnitedMethodismandAmericanCultureVolume5:MarksofMethodism:TheologyinEcclesialPractice(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2005),91.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
12
fromoneanother.WillimoncouldhavebeendescribingPATCHWORK’secumenismwhen
hesaid,
Weareinveterateborrowers,embracers,experimenters,andancient-futurespongers.Wedothisbecausewebelieveingettinghelpfromourfriendsinouradoration,proclamation,andservice.31
PATCHWORKisdedicatedtothe“catholicspirit”andcommittedtoworktoward
renewalinWPFUMCandinallthecommunitiesoffaithinourarea.Weworktoencourage
allourneighboringclergyandlaypersonsandseektohelpthemtobefaithfulandeffective
intheirministrycontexts.OnanaverageSunday,thecongregationat PATCHWORKwill
includepeoplewhoidentifyas:UnitedMethodist,Episcopalian,Baptist,RomanCatholic,or
Nondenominational/Other.Eachfaithtraditionhassomethingvaluabletoaddour
commonworshipofGod.TheBookofDisciplineoftheUnitedMethodistChurchsays,
“Christianunityisnotanoption;itisagifttobereceivedandexpressed.”32
ASacramentalCommunity
OneofthekeystoPATCHWORK’s functioningasacommunity-buildingecumenical
renewalagentisfoundinreclaimingthehistoricalelementsthathaveshapedChristian
worshipandidentity.DonSaliersmakethispointclearsaying,
CentraltotheChristianfaithandlifeisthesymbolofthegatheredcommunity.Theassemblyofpersons,gatheredinthenameofGodaboutthefont,thebook,andthetable33
WhileitistruethatashortageofordainedclergyontheAmericanfrontiermade
regularparticipationintherichsacramentallifeofthechurchdifficult,thesereal
difficultiesbecameinstitutionalizedbadhabitsinmanytimesandplacesandtheycontinue31Willimon,UnitedMethodistBeliefs,49.32TheBookofDisciplineoftheUnitedMethodistChurch2008(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2009),84.33DonE.Saliers,WorshipandSpirituality,2nded.(Akron:OSLPublications,2016),80.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
13
topersistevenwherethereareanabundanceofpersonsordainedorauthorizedto
administerthesacraments.Further,theseavoidancesofregularcommunionareoften
defendedusingsomeoftheveryexcuseschallengedbyWesleyinhissermon,TheDutyof
ConstantCommunion.Forexample,tothecomplaintthatcommunionwouldbecomeless
meaningfulwithregularpractice,Wesley,seeingcommunionasadirectcommandofChrist
countered,saying,“ShouldwenotobeyeverycommandmentofGodasoftenaswecan?
Oughtwenottoaccepthismercyeverytimeitisoffered?”34
ItisclearthatWesleyencouragedfrequentcommuningbypreceptandexample.It
canbearguedthataccesstothesacramentsprovedtobethefinalblowtoWesley’s
resistancetotheMethodistsinAmericabecomingaseparatedenomination.Inhisbookof
liturgy,SundayService,35compiledfortheAmericanMethodist,heaffirmedworship‘little
differingfromthatoftheChurchofEngland,’andalsoadvisedthosenewlyordained‘to
administerthesupperoftheLordoneveryLord'sday.’Heevidentlyintended‘constant
communion’tobetheruleinthenewworld.”36
Wesleyhadwitnessedthepowerinfieldcommunionservicesandhowthose
“personswhohadbeenalienatedfromthechurchfoundtheirwaybackintoitthrougha
renewaloftheirappreciationoftheliturgy.”37RunyonfindsthatJohnandCharlesWesley
alongwiththeirmotherSusannaunderstoodcommunion,
asthequintessentialproclamationofthegospel,presentinginvisible,tangible,tastableformtothespiritualsensesGod'scomprehensiveredemptionofthecreatureandtheworld.38
34Runyon,TheNewCreation,135–36.35JohnWesley,JohnWesley’sSundayServiceoftheMethodistsinNorthAmerica,Reprintedition(Nashville:QuarterlyReview,1984).36Runyon,TheNewCreation,138–39.37Ibid.,137.38Ibid.,133.
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Runyoncontinuessayingbecause,“Wesleyunderstoodsalvationas‘therenewalofthe
imageofGodinhumankind’,”39
JohnWesleysawtheEucharistas‘aconvertingordinance,’oneinwhichtheworkoftheSpiritshouldnotbeimpededbyquietisticattemptstoexcludetheunconvertedfromthesacredmeal.40
butrather
Ifthechiefendofreligion,therenewaloftheperson,isbeingservedthroughthismeansofgrace,whatobjectioncanvalidlyberaisedtoitsbeingmadeavailabletoallthoseseekingsalvation?41
ThelogicofWesleyisclearandpractical,ifweunderstandtheEucharistascommunicating
therealpresenceofChrist,itwouldbeasRunyonstates,“presumptuoustoignoreor
neglectthem,ifoneseriouslyseeksafterthenewlifethatGodoffers.”42
AsanecumenicalChristiancommunityseekingtobestrengthenedintheloveand
knowledgeofGod,PATCHWORKwillcontinueinthepreferredChristianpracticeofa
weeklyEucharisticcelebrationintheformofaserviceofWordandTable.
ANCIENT-FUTUREINFORM
“There’snothingnewunderthesun.”-Ecclesiastes1:9(CEB)“Look!I’mmakingallthingsnew.”–Revelation21:5(CEB)
WhatShape?
AsIbegantodigdeeperintobestpracticesinworship,theissuesraisedby
PATCHWORKturnedouttobemorecommonthanIsuspected.JanRogersVann’sGathered
39Ibid.,140.40Ibid.,134.41Ibid.42Ibid.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
15
BeforeGod43explorestheexperiencesofcongregationsthathadbeenrefreshedthrougha
renewalofworship.Addressingthecrisisexperiencedbymanymainlinecongregations,
shesuggestsseveralcauses44thatresonatewiththeexperiencesofWPFUMC.Thesecauses
include:failuretoofferacompellingvisionofthegospelofJesusChrist;failureto
adequatelycommunicatethatvisiontosocietyoreventothenextgenerationofchurch
members;andbuildingontheprevioustwo;confusingmiddle-classmoralswithan
orderedChristianLife.AsaresultVannsays,“withoutexternalreinforcements(churches)
areunabletoconstructacongregationalculturethathassufficientdepth,conviction,and
winsomenesstoattracteventheirownchildren.”45Shesuggeststhatthereisastrong
complementaryandsupportingrelationshipbetweenrenewalinworshipandrenewalin
congregations.46Churchrenewalshesays,“attemptstodescribethewaystheworshipof
Godisdeepenedamongthefaithfulthroughparticipationinworshipandreflectiononthat
participation.”47Furthersheadds,
Churchrenewalformainlinecongregationsatthebeginningofanewcenturymaynotbeseeninprogramexpansionormembershipnumbersbutinthelivingoutofadeeperkindoffaithfulness,seenmostclearlyinthedeepeningandbroadeningoftheworshipofGod.48
Aftercitingseveralexampleshighlightingworshipcenteredcongregationalrenewal,she
statesthat:“peoplegatheraroundWordandsacramenttocelebrateGod’sredeemingclaim
andpurposefortheirlivesandthenliveoutthatpurposeintheircommunities.”49And“the
43JaneRogersVann,GatheredbeforeGod:Worship-CenteredChurchRenewal(Louisville:WestminsterJohnKnoxPress,2004).44Ibid.,4.45Ibid.46Ibid.,2.47Ibid.,3.48Ibid.49Ibid.,7.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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strengthofthesecongregationswasthedepthoftheirspiritualcommitment,whichhadits
homeinworship.”50
Namingtheproblemagainshestatesthat,“manycontemporaryreligiousandsocial
observershavenotedthespiritualhungerthatcharacterizedourtime.”51andthat
“liturgicalrenewalforthesecongregationshasbornefruitinspiritualrenewal.”52
IfVanniscorrect,thatrenewalisdiscoveredthrougharebirthinworshipthat“shapesthe
overallcultureofthecongregation,”53thenhowistheshapeofworshipdetermined?
Not“Traditional”
Ourcurrentopportunitytocreatesomethingnewrequiredinnovationand
creativity;itwouldnotbewisetoofferacarboncopyor“light”versionofourtraditional
service.Firstofall,itwasgenerallyassumedthatmostofthefolkswhowantedtoattend
thatservicealreadywere.Secondly,itwasdecidedthesanctuarywouldnotbeappropriate
forthesmallercrowdsthattypicallycometoa9:00amserviceandthetraditionalservice
wouldnotscale–downtofitinthechapel.Thirdly,Iwantedtoprovideaworshipservice
thatbothstoodaloneandcomplimentedthetraditionalservicesosomeonecouldchoose
toattendbothandnotbeburdenedorbored.Fourthly,whilethetraditionalworship
serviceatWPFUMCisexcellent,TomLonghasobservedthat,“whenpeopletalkabout
‘traditional’worship,theyarereallyjustpointingtosomeprivilegedmomentinthepast,
somesnapshotoftheinnovationsofapreviousgeneration.”54Andyet,thewisdomof
Wesleystillechoedinourheartssaying,“Iamforasfewinnovationsaspossible,Ilovethe50Ibid.,10.51Ibid.,17.52Ibid.,22.53Ibid.,21.54ThomasG.Long,BeyondtheWorshipWars:BuildingVitalandFaithfulWorship(Bethesda:TheAlbanInstitute,2001),3.
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oldwinethebest.”55Thechurchiswisetohonortradition,butmustbewearyof
traditionalism.
Not“Contemporary”
Ontheotherhanda“contemporary”servicedidnotmatchthegifts,graces,or
interestsofourcongregation.Theargumentsagainstwerenumerous.Theprevious
attemptshadnotbeenwellsupportedbythechurchorcommunityandanyattemptto
revivesomethingsimilarwouldhavetoovercometremendousinertiafromthevery
beginning.Thereisalreadyacongregationinourareaofferingexcellentcontemporary
worship.Whatmostpeopleconsider“contemporary“worshipistooconnectedwitha
specificstyle.DonSaliersspoketothispoeticallysaying,“whentheChurchmarriesthe
spiritoftheage,shewillbeleftawidowinthenextgeneration.”56Itispossiblethatbelow
thesuperficialdifferences,many“contemporary”servicesfunctionas“traditional”services
foranothergeneration,holdingascloselytodifferentobjectsofnostalgia.
A“ThirdWay”HolyPlayandAllThatJazz
Howcouldanhistoricchurchdosomething“new”andbeauthentictowhowe
were? ItwasatthispointthatwemovetoLong’sdescriptionofa“ThirdWay”57that
soundedlike“home”saying,
AclassicallyshapedChristianworshipserviceisformedbythebiblicalstory…togothroughtheorderofworshipissymbolicallytowalkthroughthewholenarrativeoffaith.Theserviceisametaphorconstantlypointingtoitsreferent.58
55W.StephenGunterandJohnWesley,TheQuotableMr.Wesley(CandlerSchoolofTheology,1999),43.56E.ByronAndersonandBruceT.MorrillSJ,eds.,LiturgyandtheMoralSelf:HumanityatFullStretchBeforeGod(Collegeville:PuebloBooks,1998),33.57Long,BeyondtheWorshipWars,9.58Ibid.,10.
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Hereisthesuggestionthatworshipisbuiltoncontentratherthanstyle.Hegoesonto
confirmthat“ThirdWay”congregationsdoexistandexhibitasetofcommon
characteristics59thatincludemystery,hospitality,drama,eclecticexcellence,adaptation,
missionalfocus,stableorderofworship,joy,andcharisma.Thiscalledtomindasimilarlist
suggestedbySchnaseinhisbook,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations,60andthe
treatmentofelementsofworshipasmusicalmovementsinasinglecompositionbasedona
readingofKirkByronJones’book,TheJazzofPreaching61wherehesaid,“theblendingof
carefulnessandplayfulnessdisplayedbythemusiciansgrabbedmeandwouldnotletme
go,”62and“improvisationisspontaneityinfusedbypreparation.”63Itwasinthemidstof
thiskaleidoscopeofpossibilitiesthatLongmentionedRobertWebber,introducingtheidea
oratleasttheterminologyofAncient-Futureworship.
Ancient–Future“Therefore,everylegalexpertwhohasbeentrainedasadiscipleforthekingdomofheavenis
liketheheadofahouseholdwhobringsoldandnewthingsoutoftheirtreasurechest.”-Matthew13:52(CEB)
Webberspeaksintheintroductionofthe“longingtodiscovertherootsofthefaith
inthebiblicalandclassicaltraditionofthechurch”64and“thesearchforunityinthe
church.”65HethenaskstheveryquestionthatPATCHWORKaspirestoanswer,“Howdo
59Ibid.,13.60RobertSchnase,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2007).61KirkByronJones,TheJazzofPreaching:HowtoPreachwithGreatFreedomandJoy(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2004).62Jones,TheJazzofPreaching,64.63Ibid.,85.64RobertE.WebberandJohnWilvliet,Ancient-FutureWorship(Ancient-Future):ProclaimingandEnactingGod’sNarrative(BakerBooks,2008),19.65Ibid.
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youdelivertheauthenticfaithandgreatwisdomofthepastintothenewculturalsituation
ofthetwenty-firstcentury?”66Webberconcludestheintroductionwiththewords,
Thesethreematters—roots,connection,andauthenticityinachangingworld—willhelpustomaintaincontinuitywithhistoricChristianityasthechurchmovesforward.IhopewhatIcullfromthepastandthentranslateandadaptintothepresentwillbebeneficialtoyourministryinthenewculturalsituationofourtime.67
WebberdefinesAncient-FutureWorshipas,“thecommontraditionofthechurch’s
worshipinWord,Table,andsong,practicedfaithfullyandcommunicatedclearlyinevery
contextoftheworld.”68Addressingsomeoftheconcernsabout“contemporary”worship,
hesays,
Idon’tthinkanancient-futurechurchorancient-futureworshipisthenexttrendorthat“cool”churchoverthere.Ancient-futureworshipisnotagimmickorshoworthelatestadventure…thechurchmayneedtobeinspired,perhapscontextualized,butnevertrashedtostartagain.69
WhatcomesnextisthestrokeofgeniusthatmakesAncient–Futureworshipsoattractive.
Hesays,
WhatstandsattheverycenterofworshipisWordandsacrament,throughwhichGod’svisionfortheworldisproclaimedandenacted.Whatcontextualizesthisworshipmorethananythingelseisitsmusic.70
Hereisapracticalapplicationoftheindigenouspilgrimprinciple71thatallowstheapostolic
faithtobesharedusingthetreasuresofthechurchandthegiftsofthelocalcongregationin
awaythatsoundslikehomeandheavenatthesametime.
66Ibid.,20.67Ibid.68Ibid.,168.69Ibid.,167.70Ibid.,168.71AndrewF.Walls,TheMissionaryMovementinChristianHistory:StudiesintheTransmissionofFaith,1stedition(Maryknoll,N.Y. :Edinburgh:OrbisBooks,1996),7,53–54.
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Returningtothethemeof“play”brieflymentionedearlier,amulti-sensoryeclectic
Ancient–Futureworshipnaturallycreatesanatmosphereofholyplaygivingpermissionto
experienceworshipindifferentwaysandtotrynewspiritualpractices.LukeTimothy
JohnsonmasterfullyconnectsastructuredserviceofWordandTablewiththeconceptof
holyplaywiththeelementsofworshipthemselvescreatingthespace,opportunity,and
rulesforsuchplay.Hesays,
TothedegreethatChristianliturgymaintainstheseformalelementsofplay,itenablesparticipantstoexperienceaformoftranscendence.Worshiperssointernalizethepatternsofliturgicalplaythattheycanmoveinspiritbeyondtheirindividualbodiesandintothelargerbodyofthecommunity,inaformof‘goingbeyond’thatdoesnoteliminatebutenhancesthesignificanceoftheindividualaspartofameaningfulwhole.72
Ratherthanconfiningtheworshipingcongregation,theAncient-FutureserviceofWord
andTablefreesusfromdecisionfatigueandfromourculturaladdictiontonoveltywhileat
thesametimeprovidingacontextinwhichjoyousimprovisationandenchanting
syncopationarebothunforcedandencouraged.Havingearnedour“chops”and
“establishedthetheme,”thechurchisinvitedinto“thegroove”asthecongregation
childlikeinthetranceofholyplay“surrenderstotherhythm”oftheSpiritand
uninhibitedlyjoinsGodinthe“dance”ofCreation–Incarnation–Re-creation.
Whenaddedtothecontextof“conjunctive”catholic,protestant,andevangelical
Wesleyantheology,anAncient-Future“style”isanexcellentoption.Manyofthestrengths
ofboth“traditional”and“contemporary”worshipareretainedwithfewoftheweaknesses
inastyleIcalla“liturgicalturducken.”
FRUITFULINFUNCTION
72LukeTimothyJohnson,TheRevelatoryBody:TheologyasInductiveArt(GrandRapids:Eerdmans,2015),secs.2239–2248.Kindle.
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Inthesameway,everygoodtreeproducesgoodfruit,andeveryrottentreeproducesbadfruit.Therefore,youwillknowthembytheirfruit.-Matthew7:17&20(CEB)
WorshipwithaPurpose
WorshipresidesattheveryheartofwhatitmeanstobetheChurch.ArticleV
oftheConfessionsofFaithofTheEvangelicalUnitedBrethrenChurchstatesthatthe
churchis“thecommunityofalltruebelieversunderthelordshipofChrist;”73“one,
holy,apostolic,andcatholic;”74and“redemptivefellowship.”75TheChurchiswhere
“theWordofGodispreached,”76“andsacramentsaredulyadministered.”77The
purposefortheexistenceoftheChurchisfor“themaintenanceofworship,the
edificationofbelieversandtheredemptionoftheworld.”78TheMissionStatement
oftheUnitedMethodistChurchis,“tomakedisciplesofJesusChristforthe
transformationoftheworld.”79TheMissionStatementofWestPointFirstUnited
MethodistChurchis,“toinvitepeopletobecomedisciplesofJesusChrist;togrow
throughGod’sWordandbythepoweroftheHolySpiritinacaringcongregation;
andtoserveGodbysharingHisloveinourcommunityandtheworld.”
PACTCHWORKisanintentionalandongoingefforttobeafaithfulexpressionofthe
ChurchandtofulfillthemissionsoftheUMCandWPFUMC.
TheFivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations
73TheBookofDisciplineoftheUnitedMethodistChurch2008(Nashville:Abingdon,2009),67–68.ArticleV-TheChurch74Ibid.75Ibid.76Ibid.77Ibid.78Ibid.79Ibid.,87.
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Inhisbook,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations,80BishopRobertSchnase
identifiesfivepractices:RadicalHospitality,PassionateWorship,IntentionalFaith
Development,Risk-TakingMissions,andExtravagantGenerosity81asacommon
denominatoramongchurchesthatarethrivingevenasotherchurchesaroundthem
strugglewithdecliningattendance,membership,andoutreach.Thesepracticesare
recommendedaspowerfulfaithfultoolstoregainourmissionalidentityandfocus.
Schnaseseesauniversalneedforcongregationalchangetomovebeyondself-
preservationandbecomefruitfulamidthechangingministryneedsandopportunitiesof
ourtime.Thefivepracticesaremeantasatemplateforguidingthesechanges,butnota
rigidblueprinttobestrictlyfollowed.Thefivefruitfulpracticesshouldbeexpressedin
waysthatcomplementthepersonalityandgiftednessofthelocalcongregation.
Withthisinmind,Schnasestatesthatwithpracticeandovertimethesefive
practicescreateapositivereinforcementloopofgrowthaseachpositiveoutcomebuilds
towardthenextandcontributestotheoverallrenewalofthelocalchurch.
Byrepeating,deepening,expanding,andimprovinguponthefivebasicpracticesofcongregationalministry,churcheschangeandgrowandlearn.PervadedbythepurposeofmakingdisciplesofJesusChristforthetransformationformationoftheworld,theydiscovernewlife,readilygivingupthepatternsthathavelimitedministryandeagerlytakingupthosethatinvitepeopleintorelationshipwithGod.82
Inabrief,eachofthefivepracticesisinterwovenwiththeothers.Ifpursuedwithdiligence
andexcellencetheyformaprogression(butnotalwaysinthesameorder)aseachone80RobertSchnase,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2007).81ThereareconsiderableoverlapsbetweenthesefivepracticesandtheninecommonworshipcharacteristicsidentifiedbyTomLong(BeyondtheWorshipWars)andthesixqualitiesofChristiancommunityaddressedbyThomasHawkins(CultivatingChristianCommunity).82Schnase,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations,125.
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leadsnaturallytothenextwhileitalsoreinforcestheprevious.Schnasewalksusthrough
thissaying,
Congregationsfulfillthispurposebyperformingthefivepracticesinanexemplaryfashion:• ThroughRadicalHospitality,congregationsreachoutandoffertheinvitationand
welcomeofChrist;• GodshapesheartsandmindsthroughPassionateWorship,creatingadesirefor
closerrelationshiptoChrist;• throughIntentionalFaithDevelopment,God'sSpirithelpspeoplegrowingrace
andintheloveofGodandneighbor;• maturinginChristcausespeopletorespondtotheneedsofothersastheydiscern
God'scall,whichresultsinRisk-TakingMissionandService;• andaspeoplecontinuetogrowingrace,theyplacemoreofwhattheyareandwhat
theyhaveunderthelordshipofChrist,practicingExtravagantGenerosity.83
Returningthentotheoriginalquestion84:whatwouldhappenifinsteadoftryingtorestore
thesepracticesintoanexistingcongregationweusedthemtocreatesomethingnew?What
if they could be encoded into the veryDNAof a newworship community from the very
beginning?
LaunchingPad,Touchstone,andBenchmark
PATCHWORKusesthe“FivePractices”as:alaunchingpad,touchstone,anda
benchmark.Asalaunchingpadthe“FivePractices”gaveusaplacetostartwithclearand
sufficientlyaspirationalgoalswhilealsogivingusthelanguagetocommunicateanddiscuss
thosegoals.Withtheabundanceofsupportingeducationalmaterialsandstudiesavailable
thispowertoolwasalsoveryaccessibleforourcurrentandfutureneeds.Asatouchstone
the“FivePractices”wouldbeincludedineveryworshipbulletin,consideredinweekly
worshipplanning,featuredindifferenttimesandindifferentwaysasapartofseasonal
83Ibid.,123.84CantheintroductionofanewworshipservicecreateaChristiancommunityandserveasameansofrenewalinahistoricUnitedMethodistcongregation?
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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themes(i.e.stewardship)andthefocusofsermonseries(i.e.ChristianHospitality).Asa
benchmark,theFivePracticeswouldserveasareferenceformeasuringandevaluatingour
progressanddefiningnewgoals.
EachoftheFivePracticesiscultivatedinPATCHWORKandyetPATCHWORKis
itselfamanifestationofthosesamepracticesfromWPFUMCtothelargercommunity.
RadicalHospitalityinPATCHWORK
PATCHWORK practices Radical Hospitality in our genuine love for others, an
outward focus, openness and adaptability, a willingness to change to accommodate the
needsofothers,andreceivenot just thestrangerbutalsotheirtalents.85PATCHWORKis
anactofRadicalHospitalityaswe intentionally createnewways tocrossbarriers,build
bridges,invite,welcome,andreceivemorepeopleformmorediversebackgroundsintothe
lifeandfellowshipofWPFUMCandstrivetocreateacultureofwelcome.
PassionateWorshipinPATCHWORK
PATCHWORKpracticesPassionateWorshipaswecontinuallyprovideopportunities
forpeopletoworshipindifferentwaysusingthebestofourChristianheritageandthebest
ofourgiftsandgracestodrawclosertoGodandoneanother.PATCHWORK isanactof
PassionateWorshipasweinviteallthemembersofourneighborhoodtojoinusin
worshipingGod“inspiritandtruth”86withallofourheart,being,andmind87aswestrive
tocreateacultureofholyplayandliturgicalrenewalandinnovation.
IntentionalFaithDevelopmentinPATCHWORK
PATCHWORKpracticesIntentionalFaithDevelopmentasweengageintherhythm
85Schnase,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations,12.86John4:23(CEB).87Matthew23:37(CEB).
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
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of“actionandreflection”88connectingworshiptothenurtureofsmallgroupministriesand
Biblestudieswhilebringingtheexperiencesofthecommunityintoourtimesofworship.
PATCHWORK isanactofIntentionalFaithDevelopmentasweworktogetherinthemaking
ofdisciplesandthebuildingofChristianCommunityaswestrivetocreateacultureof
curiosity,wonder,andlifelonglearning.
Risk-TakingMissionsinPATCHWORK
PATCHWORKpracticesRisk-TakingMissionsasweseektosupportthechurchwith
ourprayers,ourpresence,ourgifts,ourservice,andourwitness.Alltheofferingsgivenin
PATCHWORKaredesignatedforlocalbenevolencesandmembersofthePATCHWORK
communityareactivelyinvolvedmanyofthemissionprojectsinourarea(suchasMeals
OnWheels,SoupKitchen,TutoringforLife,andHabitatforHumanity).PATCHWORK isan
actofRisk-TakingMissioninthatitisanexperimentalworshipserviceoperatingoutsideof
thegeneralbudgetandcontinuingtoexplorenewareasofministryandtrydifferentthings
whilecreatingacultureof“highexpectations,highpermissions,andpermissiontofail.”89
ExtravagantGenerosityin PATCHWORK
PATCHWORKpracticesExtravagantGenerosityasweofferourresourcesand
ourselvestoGodandneighbor.Thereisnoweeklyofferingtakenupduringtheworship
service,buttherearemultiplegenerosityprayerstationsbenefitinglocalbenevolences.
EveryonewhoservesinPATCHWORKisavolunteer.Alltheimprovementsandrepairsto
thechapelhavebeendoneasactoflove.PATCHWORKisanactofExtravagantGenerosity
giventoourcommunityandfundedoutsideofWPFUMC’sbudget.ThroughPATCHWORK88JaneRogersVann,GatheredbeforeGod:Worship-CenteredChurchRenewal(Louisville:WestminsterJohnKnoxPress,2004),8.89CharlesE.Gutenson,ChurchWorthGettingUpFor(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2013),60–61.
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wehavelaunchedayoungadultSundaySchoolClass,andhostedfirsttimecommunity
eventssuchasaneighborhoodTrunk-R-Treat,aPetBlessingserviceinthechapel,and
EasterSunriseServicewhilecreatingacultureofjoyfulopenhandedness.
ThroughtheseFivePracticeswearebeingrenewedbothinPatchworkandinthe
largercommunityofWPFUMCandWestPoint,GA.Wehavebeguntothinkbeyondour
fourwallsandarerealizingthattheworldisinourparish.
RESULTS37Thenhesaidtohisdisciples,“Thesizeoftheharvestisbiggerthanyoucanimagine,buttherearefewworkers.38Therefore,pleadwiththeLordoftheharvesttosendoutworkersforhisharvest.”–Matthew9:37-38(CEB)
DefiningandMeasuringRenewal
Ibeganthisjourneywiththequestion,“Cantheintroductionofanewworship
servicecreateaChristiancommunityandserveasameansofrenewalinahistoricalUnited
Methodistcongregation?”Overthecourseof18months,thisquestionhasledtoother
interestingandcomplexquestionsandafewprovisionalanswers.Builtintothedifficultyof
experimentingononeselfisthelackofacontrolgroup.Therearealsotheongoing
strugglesbetweenprideandhumility,aspirationsandreality,attemptedobjectivityand
subjectivebias,andthesometimes-conflictingrolesofclergyaspastorsand
administrators.Withallofthisinmind,Iofferthefollowingassessments.Theshort
answerisyes,WPFUMCwasable,throughtheintroductionofPATCHWORK, tocreatea
distinctChristiancommunitythatwaseffectiveinempoweringaspiritofrenewalinour
localcontext.
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27
TheNumbers
Builtintotheconversationaboutchurchrenewalistheroleofstatisticsandmetrics.
Whatshouldwemeasure?Howshouldwecapturedata?Towhatdowecompareour
results?Itseemsthatweareatbestinanawkwardunspokenagreementthat,“the
numbersdon’tcount,exceptwhentheydo.”Schnaseexpressesthisideapastorallysaying,
Whilefruitfulnesscannotbereducedtonumbers,neverthelessnumbersareimportant.Numbersrepresentpeople-eachnumberstandsforapersonwhoisoldoryoung,marriedorsingle,newtothefaithorlong-established,richorpoor,immigrantorcitizen.Eachissomeone'ssonordaughter,brotherorsister,fatherormother,friendandneighbor.EachisapersonforwhomChristdied.90
VitalSigns
EachweektheNorthGeorgiaConferenceoftheUnitedMethodistChurchrequires
alllocalchurchestocollectandreportontencategoriesincluding:Attendance,Professions
ofFaith,Baptisms,NumberofSmallGroups,SmallGroupParticipation,Volunteersin
MissionOutReach,NumberofPeopleServedthroughOutreach,MissionalGiving,and
Offering.WPFUMCreportedanimprovementinatleastsevenofthesecategoriesin2016
comparedto2015andexceededthefiveyearaverageinsixcategories.Notonlywasthe
declinestopped,thetrendisnowtowardgrowthatalmostamirrorimagerate.Wealso
celebratedasacongregationwithaMissionsReportthathelpedustellourrenewalstory
withrealnumbersrepresentingdollarsinvestedandpersonsserved.Forexamplein2016
weserved2,117mealsinourSoupKitchenministry.Bypayingattentiontothenumbers
wewereabletobettercommunicateandcelebratetheministriesofthechurch.By
combiningnumberswithnarrativewehavebecomebetteratseeingthegrowthinour
communityandidentifyingpossibleopportunitiesforthefuture.90RobertSchnase,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2007),133.
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TheIntangibles
Inaddressingthecomplexityoftheconcreteexperiencesofcongregationallife,Vannsays,
Weperceiveexperiencesascomplexwholes,onlypartiallyorganizedandunderstood,wheretheinterrelationshipsamongdiscreteelementsofanexperienceareasimportantastheelementsthemselves.91
Itispossibletoaddresstherenewalwithinacongregationbyfocusingon“depth.”
• ThevastmajorityofregularPATCHWORKattendeesareinactivelyinvolvedinasmallgroupministryofWPFUMCincludingthosewhoaremembersofothercongregations.
• MostofourregularPATCHWORKattendeesareactivelyinvolvedinoneofthe
missionalprogramsofWPFUMCagainthisincludesmembersofothercongregations!
• OurlastadultprofessionoffaithandbaptismwasinaPATCHWORK serviceandthe
sixmostrecentnewmembersofWPFUMCwerereceivedthroughPATCHWORK.Wecanalsotalkaboutrenewalbylookingat“breadth”.
• OuroldestPATCHWORKattendeehasbeen103years-oldandouryoungestareinfants.
• WearebecomingmorerepresentativeofourcommunitywithourPATCHWORK
familyincludingpersonsofAngloAmerican,AfricanAmerican,AsianAmerican,andmixedheritages.
• PATCHWORKreflectsthediversityoftheChristianfamilyincludingpersonswho
identifyasUnitedMethodist,Baptist(CBF),Episcopalian/Anglican,Lutheran(ELCA),Presbyterian(PCUSA),RomanCatholic,Non-Denominational(CC),andPost-Christianseekers.
StaffAssessmentWecanalsotalkaboutrenewalthroughtheexperiencesofthechurchstaff.92Schnase
pointstothissaying,
91JaneRogersVann,GatheredbeforeGod:Worship-CenteredChurchRenewal(Louisville:WestminsterJohnKnoxPress,2004),43.92StaffMeetingheldonJanuary31,2017at4:00pm.
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Morethananythingelse,thequalityofspiritualpreparationoftheworshipshipleadersimproved.Itwasobviousthatthepastorsandstaffwerepraying,reading,preparing,andofferingtheirbest.93
InarecentconversationwithchurchstaffwhovoluntarilyattendPatchworkastheirplace
ofworshipusedphrasessuchas:
• “totallydifferent,butsomehowfamiliarandcomfortable”
• “sacredbutnotrigid”
• “richinritualwithoutbeingformal”
• “removingbarriers”
• “warmfamilyatmosphere”
• “perfectserviceforthosewhodon’tknowiftheywouldbewelcomeinchurch”
• “provokinglifelonglearningandfaithdevelopment”
• “givingofourwhole-selves,true-selvestoGodandeachother”
• “liberatingservicefortheworshipper”
Usingthe“FivePractices”asaguide,itwasagreedthat:
• RadicalHospitalitymeansnotonlywelcomingsomeone,butdoingitwithoutholdingyournose.
• PassionateWorshiphappenswhenyougiveyourselfwhollyovertotheworshipof
Godandtotallyforgetyourselfandthesurroundingcompany.
• IntentionalFaithDevelopmentcomesaboutbydeeplydelvingintothewordandtheWord.
• Risk-takingMissionsdon’thavetobeoverseasorevenacrosstown.Theycan
happeninyourownbackyard.
• ExtravagantGenerosityhappenswhenyougivetotally—yourhardearneddollars,yourstuff,yourself—withouteverquestioningwhyyouwereaskedorhowyouwoulddoit.
93Schnase,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations,41.
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
30
PlansfortheFuture
PATCHWORKisalwaysaworkinprogress.Weintendtocontinuetoimproveasbotha
worshipserviceandasalaboratoryforinnovationinourchurch.
• Wearealreadyseeingfruitsofliturgicalrenewalinthetraditionalservices.WehavecelebratedcommunionweeklyfortheseasonsofAdventandLentandarecurrentlyincludingmoreofthelectionaryreadingsinourservice.Youcan’tputnewwineintooldwineskins,butwhenthenewwinehashadalittletimeandspacetomatureyoucan!
• WewillcontinuetousePATCHWORKasatraininggroundforpeopletoexplore
theirgiftsandmakemistakes.
• WewillcontinuetousePATCHWORKasasupplementtotheTraditionalserviceforthosewhowanttogoalittledeeper.
• Weareconsideringthepossibilitiesformorespecialservicesanddailyorweekly
prayeropportunities.
• IwouldliketocontinuetostudyChurchRenewalandhelpothercongregationsdiscovertheir“PATCHWORK”.
• IamcurrentlyinaperiodofdiscernmentbeforetakingvowsfortheOrderofSaint
LukeinnosmallpartasaresultofmyPATCHWORKjourney.
PATCHWORKcontinuestodemonstratethatitispossibletobuildChristian
communitythroughtheintroductionofanewworshipserviceasameansofrenewalina
historicalUnitedMethodistcongregation.ThanksbetoGod!
JohnWMattoxPATCHWORK
31
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