To be honest, this isn't the first time I've been on the awesome ride that is Momentum Christian Church. I went there last summer when I was taking a hiatus from my regular church. And even then, I loved it. It's everything that church could be and more.
Well, let's take a break from my shameless compliments and get to the review.
This Sunday I took my cousin, Rob, with me. Knowing that Rob hasn't been to church in a while, I knew going here would knock his socks off. And since I know he's reading this, Rob is a big fat jerk. Ha ha! You know I'm playin', baby! I love ya!
I picked up Rob and we headed out on our 40 minute drive to Independence. Yes, it's in Independence. 40 minutes up I-77 from K-Town. This is why your Reverend has not given up his life and joined this church. Sigh. However, the church planting group that started them is the same one that might be taking over the church in Kenmore. Oh how often I pray for this every night! I also wish on a star and rub my magic genie lamp, both to no avail. Stick to prayer.
The first thing you notice about the church is their meeting place. They have no building but instead meet in the Cinemark. They rent out the place every Sunday morning and hold their service in one of the theatres. And yes, it is as awesome as it sounds. The benefits to not having a building are endless (no property to maintain, no one has emotional ties to the building, and all the other costs of owning a building). The downside being that you have to set up all your equipment every single Sunday. Oy. That could get old if you didn't have enough hands.
Upon entering, the first thing you'll notice is. . . the smell of popcorn. It's a movie theatre. The second thing you'll notice is FREE REFRESHMENTS! Cookies, bagels, donuts. Coffee, water, tea. They had it all. Too bad your Rev is trying to shed his belly and lose some weight. So now instead of complimenting you, I loathe you for tempting me, Momentum! I couldn't resist and had a cookie! Gah!! I'm such a failure!
After I wept bitterly for a few minutes over my failure, we headed in. The band was rocking out some Skynard, playing "Sweet Home Alabama". Their worship band is top knotch and rocks out. Band is great and the singers are terrific. Some might say that it's a little too much rocking, but for yours truly, it was the perfect mix of rockin' out and worshipin' out (not too much wallin' out, either).
One of things that they are known for is their multi-media. Every week they make a short video to go along with their message. And no, this isn't one of those cheeseball, Christian videos that you see that just copy secular media. They make genuinely funny stuff. Below is todays video:
Their preacher is a guy named Dan Smith, made famous by his parody video, Baby Got Book. This guy is good. His message came from Genesis 19, which is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. A big part of his sermon touched on the oh-so-sensitive topic of homosexuality. However, Dan did it right and other Christians should take note. Let's be straight - homosexuality is a sin. But what most Christians forget is that it's one of many sins. Lying. Cheating on your spouse. Stealing. Blasphemy. All sins equal in "badness" to homosexuality. However, most Christians seem to hold a special level of sin in their hearts for homosexuals.
Dan did a perfect mix of calling a sin a sin without neglecting the primary message of the Gospel that is unconditional love. Even going so far as to say that given the choice of having a homosexual or a homophobe in the church, he'd choose the former. Rock and roll, brother.
After that they served communion (Woot!) and we were out.
I said it before and I'll say it again, Momentum rulez. God is sooo working in that place. I think the thing that stands out to me the most is that, if you get rid of all the videos and rock band, the people are just sincerely loving people who want to do God's work. They have tons of small groups they call Mo Groups that meet during the week and it's a huge part of their ministry.
Again, the only problem is that they are so far away! Pray that K-Town CoC will turn into something like this! Pray!
Prayerfully,
Revraham Wanderstein
Sounds sooooooo much like my church down here in the Ar-kan-slaw. (right down to the band playing Skynyrd as the congregation funnels in and the awesome media department) But then, that would REALLY be a drive! Oh yeah, and we don't smell like popcorn, so that's another drawback.
ReplyDeleteNo free popcorn in the refreshments? Bogus!
ReplyDeleteMommy - yeah, that would be quite a drive. If I can't make it to the church in less than an hour...however, that is very cool!
ReplyDeleteSteph - yes, they had free popcorn!! :)