Christmas in July
Posted on 03. Jul, 2008 by carey in Vision and Purpose | 26 Comments
Recent Comments
- Your Friends… (2)
- Tennis Anyone? (10)
- And the Winner Is… (1)
- Tim L. Walker: Congrats Stanley… if you need someone to go with… I’m free Saturday. LOL.
- Tim L. Walker: Congrats Stanley… if you need someone to go with… I’m free Saturday. LOL.
Not that this really pertains to me, but go for Casino Rama, sounds awesome! I like the spirit of wanting to step out of the box and be available to so many who may not even have the chance to hear about Jesus.
Sounds like the casino idea is exciting, edgy, and needs lots of prayer. I know a few people that would have a hard time going there without gambling a bundle…
I'm good with the site, however.
The convention centre @ Rama is a fantastic venue. Let’s GO FOR IT! I love the idea.
Christians can often sanitize the Christmas story…and as you said Rich, it wasn’t like that. The shepherd’s came and worshipped Him in a barn. God blessed us by giving us the opportunity to worship Him anywhere. Even better yet, for us to make His story accessible to those who may not come to the typical places the Christmas Story is shared each year, simply excites me! I love thinking outside of the box.
I like your Casino idea. It doesn't sound like you are drawn to it to make some statement but because it would provide you with the best option right now for what you want to do. Plus we can take a free Casino coach from T.O. and attend. As long as there is no Santa involved go for it.And that shows my bias.
thanks for the feedback so far!
rich
p.s. Sandy – no Santa at this christmas eve service.
)
I think you're totally nuts,but that's beside the point. :0)
I love the planning we've been doing so far this summer for the fall and beyond. So much has been on the block – so many innovative and creative ideas. It's been a great summer planning for the fall and winter, and I'm excited.
I love the idea. One of the places I would least expect to hear about God's love would be at a Casino.
Everyone goes to church on Christmas Eve. Even if they don't go any other day of the year, the churches are standing room only on Christmas Eve. What a great way to show that we are a church that really welcomes everyone, to take the church right to the door of the Casino.
I think it is a great venue … take the church to the people and then let God work.
Sign me up for the eteam set up !!
Mr Birch,
I love the way the synapses happen in your brain and what comes from that.
Rama, is a stellar idea.
Rich, I don't know which is the best option but I LOVE you are thinking this far in advance. Great ideas seem to get better with more percolation. Keep me posted.
I think it's awesome! My kids love the casino….well the restaruants at Rama anyway.
I have absolutely no hesitation in inviting my friends! Can't wait to see how it pans out!
Well, looks like casino it is.
) I'm looking forward to bringing family to it! The plan will be in my prayers and you can put me down for e-team set up, too! Go for it, Rich!
Nice… we can call the night "Jesus at the Slots" – lol.
AHAHAHA well said Tim
rich! sweet idea! im definaltey game, ill help with set up too. and keep me up to date with the kidstuf too.
sare
I say casino. Actually, before I regularly attended church, my family would actually go to the Casino on Christmas eve and have the dinner buffet…I know I know, it sounds bad. I think it's a really interesting idea.
Sorry Rich, but I don't like the casino idea. Firstly, I wouldn't like it because I'm not in favour of gambling because of all the destruction it causes and false hope it gives people. It would feel like we were endorsing that somehow. Secondly, it would be too far for us in south Barrie and certainly friends would not be too interested in driving 40 minutes to a service on Christmas eve.
I prefer the schools idea – one in Barrie, one in Orillia. These neighbourhoods are packed with young families who don't go to church – I think they'd be more likely to attend a service at their local school.
Still, it is obviously not about one person's likes or dislikes and it seems like many really like the Casino idea.
I loved Christmas on the waterfront last year. That rocked!
Glad you are exploring many possibilities! Even having this discussion is great – it causes us to think about Christmas and reaching people.
Joey,
Thanks so much for speaking up! To be honest . . . I thought more people would be posting similar comments on this blog.
It's great that in the body of Christ we can see the same issue from two different ends of stick. For me, the fact that we may be in the midst of the casino is a positive thing. The fact that we might be misunderstood is ok. I think we're in pretty good company. There is whole bunch of times that Jesus found himself in places where people could misunderstand his motives. Check out Matthew 9:9-13. He was having a party with "tax collectors and sinners." Tax Collectors where hated by the Jews of Jesus' day. They were lining their pockets with the money of their fellow Jews while serving the Romans. It would be like a Jewish person during WW2 working for the Nazis – and getting insanely rich from it. One the great ironies in the Bible is that God seems to be more at work "in the world" than in "holy places". It seems like God keeps meeting people "out there" rather than "in here". At some point we turned this on our head in the church and want people to come our spaces rather that us meetings people on "their" turf. I'm ok with being misunderstood . . . it seems like Jesus was misunderstood all the time!
I have been thinking about the "it's 40 minutes from Barrie" thing. I think it is totally legitimate. I wonder why people are willing to drive from all over Ontario to go to the Casino all the time but people wouldn't be willing to drive 40 minutes to come to a church service once a year. Why is that? What are we doing wrong? We have the best message, true community and real life but people are resistant to driving 40 minutes to connect with it. Why is that?
Rich
What better place than a casino, filled with false hope, to spread news of the true hope found in Jesus? I think it's an extraordinary idea to bring the word of God to people where they would least expect to hear it. I think schools are generic and safe. Connexus has this unique opportunity to truly step outside our comfort zone to bring the news to the people.
Besides, I think it would be interesting telling my non-church friends that I'm going to the casino Christmas Eve!
bummer . . .
I've been back and forth with Casino Rama. Turns out the space isn't available . . . they have a staff event on Christmas eve . . .
Back to the drawing board . . .
Rich
Meh… that just means something better will come up.
Would kids have been allowed in the convention Centre at Casino Rama?
How about a hockey arena?..Good Canadian
venue.
I vote for outside. The musicians loved that last year!
Hey Rich,
I don't think the church is doing anything wrong re: some people not wanting to drive 40 minutes on Xmas eve. Christmas eve for some is just inherently complicated – trying to accomodate parents, inlaws, steps, siblings, aunts, uncles, friends, aging relatives, (and with some of those not getting along!). These dynamics just makes Christmas already complicated enough without a lot of driving. It isn't the church – its the pre-existing pressure of Christmas on some (certainly not all) families.
Wow – what a heart for doing things differently our Connexus community has. I'm very impressed with our community in this discussion and its desire to outreach, though I see things a bit differently. As well, I'm probably over sensitive about addictions and places that promote addictions such as casinos, having been very negatively impacted by these.
Joey, Have you been following me around
on Christmas Eve??..You sure nailed it for me..
my friends work had a christmas party at a big community centre thing near rama.. cant think of what its called but it was super close to the casino and a good size too.
?? possibbllyy?
Rich,
What about the Race Track south of Barrie???
If we pick an event centre in either town Barrie or Orillia, why not hire a bus in the other town to carpool everyone. It might be fun singing some worship songs and fellowship on the way. We won't have to worry about the weather as much either.
Hey Amanda,
Good idea – Georgian Downs. I was in there last fall when we were looking for locations. They don't really have a good space for meeting. When they have "bands" and such in there they just close the food court and set up in there . . . not a good space.
But maybe we could make it work for a single service . . .
things that make you go "hmmmm"
rich