Sandals Church pt. II
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Back to PT. I]
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Matt worshiping. Notice the chandeliers in
the background. Very few people lifted their hands, or expressed themselves in clear ways,
yet many seemed to be experiencing the presence of God. |
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Mark, using a chair as an illustration for
what he is going to say in his mini-teaching. |
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The music actually sounds great. Most of the songs are
British in origin, written by Matt Redman or Martin Smith of Delirious, with the odd
Vineyard song in there too. What strikes me is the worship becomes gentle and quiet. I see
how a number of people are really worshipping, enjoying intimacy with their Father.
Obviously this worship is striking a chord with them.
But another group of people is not participating, and
instead observes the first group. Sitting down, they are looking around slowly, listening
to the music, and tasting the atmosphere. There are moments of quiet and moments of rock;
quiet interludes, and words of passion. I guess Sandals church is a great place to come
when you are not so sure about what you believe.
As promised after a couple of songs one member of the
leadership team gets up and starts the first mini-teaching. Carlos does a three points
five minute teaching on God’s view of our resources. His point is simple: everything
belongs to God, and we are just stewards.
Another song, and another mini-teaching. One more song,
and one more mini teaching. While each takes a different approach, all basically have the
same message, and I start wondering what is left for Matt to say.
 But when Matt comes up he quickly answers that question. Rather
than repeating what the other guys are saying he starts talking to the audience about
responsible living. He hits topics like ‘pay your debts, and have a party when
you’re done!’ and "Put money away in savings for emergencies’.
He then comes back to what I would call a Kingdom-focus.
Using the story of the rich young man he explains to the audience that the point is not
that God wants all your money. The point is that God wants our heart, and that is often
where we keep our money. His style is open and honest, and the audience is listening
carefully.
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Some of the crowd. The average age was
around 24 I imagine, with a large amount of students. I also saw a small number of older
people (40's and 50') to whom this service was obviously appealing.
Below: After the service this prayer was going on on stage. |
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The service ends rather abruptly. I think Matt’s
sermon is a little long, considering we have already had three mini sermons prior to Matt.
But I get talking to a small group of people who attend here regularly. They disagree. For
them Sandals is a wonderful place just to sit down and listen and learn. This is
‘church in their style.’ This is their church. It’s not their parents’
church, but it is their church, with their language, their questions, their struggles, and
with answers for them.
Revelation
And for the first time I see something that I have
somehow missed before. I suddenly realize how I have always attended churches that were
started by people from other generations. I remember the excitement that those generations
felt at their churches, and how they wanted me to be excited about their churches too -
and I remember how I often could never quite share that excitement. Sure churches were
okay, but talking with these young people I suddenly realize that they have the same
excitement about Sandals as I have seen my parents’ generation have about their
churches.
Sandals is a new church for a generation now moving into
adulthood. No wonder these people are excited! This church is home to them.
[<< To part I]
[>> To interview with Matt Brown, Pastor of Sandals Church]
[>> To interview with Danielle Arnold]
 Rogier
is the editor for NEXT WAVE. His passion is to see a wave of churches
for young people
started all across the Western world. He holds an M.A. in world evangelization from
Tyndale Theological Seminary.
Click here to respond to this
article.
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