We skipped this last week on account of illness, so I have an opportunity to catch up on the previous visit. We popped into HIllside Chapel, a Christian & Missianary Alliance church, for a couple reasons. First, our friend, Dara, has visited a couple times. Second, Dara is good friends with Terry who works with the high schoolers at Hillside. When Dara told Terry about Map Room, the monthly creative worship event put on by Lily and her fellow UC campus ministers, Terry thought it would be perfect for her students. She asked Dara for help, and Dara kindly passed the buck to me. Sunday was an opportunity for Terry and me to meet.

(There are no concrete plans at the moment, but I’ll post regularly as details emerge.)

Back to Hillside. I’ve struggled with what to say. My initial reaction was, "I enjoyed i," (At least is wasn’t "nice.") but I’ve had trouble pinpointing why. At lunch Dara wasn’t satisfied with my casual answer either, so she pressed me for more. This is what I emailed her (Edits are for confidence and relevance):

I’ll be as picky as I can for you:

The tempo needed to be picked up on a couple songs, the keyboard turned down, the electric guitar turned up, and the choir let loose. The dress code could be a little more relaxed as well. The sermon was clearly directed to insiders. [Someone who's] not familiar with the history and culture of the New Testament [might get lost.] Kerri and I, who are more familiar, followed along just fine. Mike’s passion for scripture was clear, but I think his application could have been better. (Caveat: My mind wanders a bit, because I’m trying to take everything in and "evaluate." I’m finding it a little hard to let go and just be present. Mike’s application could have been just fine - Kerri enjoyed the message - and I might have missed it.)

Those things said, I enjoyed it. I respect you too much to be dishonestly polite.

I appreciate the generational span present at Hillside. I appreciate the tension between the past and the future, between tradition and innovation. I appreciate the willingness to experiment. I appreciate their willingness to include me, even thought I’m quite sure they
realize I’m outside their orthodoxy (and likely growing more so). I appreciate Mike’s passion and personality. I appreciate the fact I wasn’t sitting in a warehouse. Notice that all of my "complaints" above are also aspects of things I appreciate. I have a greater sense of genuine spiritual journey at Hillside than I do with some of the others I’ve visited, which feel very canned and commercial.

…I’m excited for the opportunity to work with HIllside and Terry. One of my thoughts coming out of Map Room was "Just Do It." It’s time to get over Harvest and get working. Well, here’s someone else who wants me to "Just Do It." Coincidence, right?

I mentioned in a follow up email that I enjoyed Hillside almost in spite of itself, if that makes any sense. I don’t think we’ll call Hillside home for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to working with them.