Ship of Fools: Church of the Beatitudes, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
The Mystery Worshipper
Shipmate
Ship of Fools: Church of the Beatitudes, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Service turns into variety show, with everything applauded, even the readings
Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here
Comments
Older photos of the interior show the communion table and sedilia sitting on the raised platform. From a previous visit years ago, I remember the piano, organ and choir seating at the rear of the church. I think the present arrangement, with "performers" on the platform and the communion table shoved down onto the main floor, adds to the impression that it is more of a music hall than a church.
Nancy Klatt
Wish you could have been at Church of the Beatitudes on Nov 5 for All Saints worship. Please don’t judge our church from one visit.
Yes, we have rebuilding to do in searching for a new permanent minister and children’s programs; and we do tend to applaud our volunteers and musicians for their hard work; but our communion table is where Jesus would be, down with his followers. The brochures for our Great West Window are only in the pews unfortunately, but an usher or attender would certainly give you one if asked. Our recent installation of the 8 Beatitudes paintings on our south wall leading to the sanctuary by one of our long time members reflect a modern look at what Jesus talked about in the Sermon on the Mount and brochures are next to it.
We are a progressive Christian Church trying to help people find spiritual meaning and community in their lives. We are a welcoming congregation for EVERYONE without judgment trying to “make love real” for our members, visitors, and our community young and old. We have a new Music Leader, a vibrant Arts Council, with art exhibits and jazz concert series because the arts can be transformative; a discussion group on modern topics, women in faith, and mission programs for Nourish Phoenix, Shoebox Ministry, Maryland School and.Family Promise; rental space for the community; and an autism school on our grounds.
I take your comments seriously. I hope you will visit us again, look me up, and stay for coffee!
Nancy Klatt
@john holding and @Zappa are no longer Mystery Worshipper hosts. They are currently @Spike and me.
Thank you for reposting.
You said: May I ask why you do that? I try hard to avoid a hard “it’s appropriate/it’s not appropriate” binary on this issue, as I think context can matter.
But speaking as a volunteer church musician, I can say that applause for any music I’m involved in making in church generally makes me very uncomfortable, and gives me the feeling that the congregation has completely missed the intent behind what I or we have been doing. It feels to me like an act of worship has been seen as a performance.
And speaking as one who regularly reads Scripture in worship, I’d frankly be dumbfounded if there was applause after my reading.
Again, I’m not trying to make the point that your congregation does it “wrong,” but rather that it’s different from what I’m used to, and I’m curious as to what the underlying understanding is.
The Mystery Worship Guidelines post at the top of the thread should be edited accordingly. I no longer have rights to do it.
Despite @Nancy 's invitation, I don't see myself making a return visit.
a member over 15 years. It is a spontaneous act of sincere appreciation that has grown in the last few years. We don't have 'rules' to govern such, so it has been embraced by some. I have heard comments like yours from other congregants. Perhaps it has become the modern version of 'Amen!'. Something else for us to ponder.