Doing Church
Time Stamps
0:00 Intro
19:33 Building Community Through Church
25:00 The Imperfect Nature of Church Communities
30:22 Transition to Hybrid Church Services
32:20 Challenges of Live Streaming Worship
41:14 The Birth of Conversation Street
45:50 Shifting Mindsets in Church Participation
Church Foundations and Future Changes at Crowd
Exploring Church: Community, Connection, and Change
What does church mean to you? Is it a building, a community, or something more? This week, we explored these questions and shared some exciting changes coming to Crowd Church. We chat about the heart of what makes church special and how we're evolving to meet the needs of our community.
Why Church Matters
For many, church is more than a Sunday ritual. It's a place of connection, growth, and support. Anna shares her journey of finding faith for herself, moving beyond childhood teachings to a personal relationship with God. For her, church is about community—connecting with others who share her faith and building each other up.
Dan echoed this sentiment, recalling how he saw people at church who genuinely loved being there. It's not about obligation; it's about joy and learning. Church is a place where stories are shared, and lives are enriched. It's about coming together to worship and inspire one another.
The Power of Gathering
Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us of the importance of meeting together. It's about stirring one another up to love and good works. When we gather, we create a space for encouragement and accountability. It's easy to drift when we're alone, but together, we find strength and purpose.
Anna highlighted how crucial this community becomes during tough times. When life gets hard, having others to stand with you, pray for you, and speak truth into your life is invaluable. It's about more than just attending; it's about being part of something bigger than yourself.
“It’s been a gradual process, growing up, of finding faith to be true for myself and a relationship with God to be something that I want to pursue.”
Challenging the Consumer Mindset
In today's world, it's easy to approach church with a consumer mindset. We ask, "What can I get from this?" But the real question is, "What can I give?" Church isn't just about receiving; it's about contributing to the community and using our gifts to bless others.
Dan reminded us that every part of the body is essential. Whether you're a hand or a foot, your role is vital. If you don't show up, the body suffers. It's a powerful reminder that we're all in this together.
Introducing Hybrid Church
Exciting changes are coming to Crowd Church. Starting in October, we're embracing a hybrid model. We'll gather in a physical location with a live audience while continuing to engage with our online community. This approach allows us to reach more people and foster deeper connections.
Anna explained that this new format will enable us to do more in the moment. We'll have physical small groups, opportunities for fellowship, and the chance to break bread together. It's about creating a dynamic community that values connection and growth.
Keeping the Conversation Alive
One of the unique aspects of Crowd Church is our Conversation Street segment. It's a time for open discussions and questions, allowing us to explore faith in a dynamic way. This interactive approach fosters deeper understanding and connection.
As we move forward, we'll maintain this element of our service, encouraging both in-person and online participants to join the conversation. It's an opportunity to share insights, ask questions, and grow together in faith.
“The question is not, did church give me what it was that I needed? The question is, did I go to church ready to encourage somebody that needed to be encouraged?”
Building Community Through Small Groups
Community is at the heart of church, and our new hybrid model will include small groups to facilitate deeper connections. Whether you're joining us in person or online, you'll have the opportunity to participate in small group discussions, fostering relationships and spiritual growth.
These groups provide a space to share life, pray together, and explore faith in a supportive environment. They're an integral part of our vision for a vibrant, connected church community.
Looking Ahead
As we embark on this new chapter, we invite you to join us on the journey. Whether you're in Liverpool or connecting from afar, there's a place for you at Crowd Church. We value your feedback and input as we navigate these changes, ensuring that our community remains welcoming and inclusive.
In the coming weeks, we'll continue to explore important topics, including a biblical response to politics. We believe that open, honest conversations are essential as we navigate the complexities of faith in today's world.
Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to growing together and discovering all that God has in store for us. Whether you're joining us in person or online, we can't wait to see you at Crowd Church.
“I used to look around when I was at church and see that people, they weren’t going because they had to go, you know, they were going because they enjoyed it.”
RECENT EPISODES
RECENT LIVESTREAMS
More from this series
At Crowd Church, we are committed to creating a space for you to explore the Christian faith, regardless of where you are on your faith journey.
What happens at Crowd Church?
Every week we livestream our online church service and release a new story on What’s The Story Podcast. We have weekly online community groups that meet up and all of that good stuff. You can find out more about everything that goes on at Crowd by browsing through this site, and you can reach out to us via our contact page.
Come and Join In!
Are you interested in joining in with what is happening here at Crowd? We would love to meet you!
Join in with the Church Livestream
Subscribe to Crowd Church Podcast & What’s the Story Podcast
Follow us on Instagram
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel
New to church? If so - check out the New Here link.
Any questions? Please connect with us via our Contact Page, or via WhatsApp: +44 7984 530 429