This Sunday I went to The Chapel part 2: Green Campus. As in all sequels, it's a little crazier than part one and there's a lot more gore. . . well, not really but you see where I'm going with this. No? You don't? Oh. . . um. . . well then I should just get started.
Since I just couldn't get enough of that thing they do at the Chapel, I decided to check out their Green Campus located in, well, Green. It's a newer facility that I believe they built 5 or 6 years ago. It's tucked back off the road, where they somehow manage to hide this monumental size building. It's freaking huge! However, unlike the Akron campus, with its maze of hallways that look like they were built by a kid high on 6 cups of Kool Aid with Lego's, the Green campus is neatly built and all roads lead to the main sanctuary.
My good friend and sister, Tricia, tagged along with me on this adventure (she not-so-secretly wants to leave Akron and live in Green. I not-so-secretly loath her for ever wanting to leave Akron).
First of all, this is one them there modern churches that have a cafe located in them, with very cheap caffeinated beverages (iced coffee for a $1! Score!). It was a nice area to get hopped up on legal uppers and mingle with your brothers and sisters in the Lord. I dug it.
Next, we made our way into the sanctuary for the service. What happened next shook us both to the core. Let me start by saying that in the Church of Christ denomination, there are some that think that having worship with instruments is wrong (they're a little nutty). Well, what they had here would cause they're doctrinal heads to explode on sight. They didn't just have a piano. They didn't just have a band. They had a full on, knock your socks off, orchestra! I'm talking strings, wind instruments, percussion section, the whole shebang! Oh! And they had a conductor! A conductor! With that little stick and everything!
As I took this in, I looked over at Tricia and her eyes were wide with a look of "What in the hotel is this?" At first I was thinking, this is completely over the top and unnecessary. First of all, talk about distracting. It was more like a night at the opera than worship. Second of all, how much time and energy is put into this? Couldn't that effort be put forth elsewhere?
But after I gave it some thought, maybe I shouldn't have been so critical. These flutists, trombonists, and percussionists all have talents and they need an outlet for them. And, praise God, they're using them in the worship of the Lord. So while to me it was distracting and somewhat baroque, I say good on them for giving them an outlet.
This was Knute Larson's last sermon at the Green campus and they started things off right with his beatification ceremony. I kid. . . only slightly. I think that if it was up to the people at the Chapel, they'd be renaming the place Saint Knute of the Cedars at North Hill Memorial Chapel. They're ceremony of recognition to him included a glowing speech by they're 2nd in command and was followed up with a song by the super orchestra.
After this, though, Knute gave a sermon that was both classy and honorable. Instead of rambling on and on about his life or memories, he instead simply stated the Gospel message of hope through Christ. Nothing more. He took his sermon from Paul's tearful good bye to the Ephesians found in Acts 20:13-38. I said it before and I'll say it again, the man has a God given gift of gab. I don't think I've ever heard a better speaker (sorry Nathan!). Knute Larson, you rock.
With that, if you're looking for a large church that meets pretty much all of your families needs, the Chapel in Green is a great place to start looking. They have classes for every age group. A lovely facility. And probably any other amenity you're looking for. The only thing they'll be missing now is one Knute Larson.
But for this Reverend, he must wander on. There are a many church that need to be visited and throroughly reviewed. Roman Catholic. Lutheran. Methodist. Even the Unitarian Universalist, or as they call themselve's, UU's. Or as I call them, you get up on Sunday morning for this?
As I know, one day the Reverend will have to stop wandering and will need to settle down in a church of the Lord's choosing. When that is exactly, I'm not sure. But I believe that God will let know when that time is.
Join me next time on, As the Reverend Turns.
Rev.
No sorries needed! I humbly admit that my stammering's and rambling's are nowhere near many a fine preacher's eloquent abilities. But he is old enough to be my grandfather too!
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