planet telex

Duncan over at Postkiwi has written a very interesting review of the UCA Synod event recently held in Queensland. Duncan took participants in the “Generations in Conversation” course that he’s been coordinating lately tot he event and had them reflect on the ways in which generational values were exhibited in the planning of the meeting, as well as in the responses of those in attendance.

There were a number of points that resonated with me, for example the idea of using immediate mobile technology to announce events and discussions rather than relying on having the paper program out days beforehand, especially with younger people at the event.

Duncan’s review had me wondering what a multi-generational Synod or Assembly could possibly look like, here’s one idea, one vision of what a Synod event might look like if I were to be given the reigns…

Day One and Two (and maybe 3):

• Multi-Sensory/Multi Site Worship, hold 3 different worship services in three different spaces, the aim is to provide a space for the participants to connect with and reflect upon God’s call on their lives that has brought them to this place and the time that they will be spending in the space.
• Both days would then operate along the same lines as an expo, speakers on theology, mission, life, youth ministry, worship, church, children’s ministry, bible study, family ministry, authors of books, artists, drama… Each venue would host discussion and presentations that would bring life to the community, they wouldn’t just be talk fests, they would have a purpose and would hopefully be interactive, the spaces where the workshops are held would allow people to drink coffee, feel relaxed…
• Also held during the days would be presentations by people who are presenting papers and wanting feedback, these events would be held alongside other presentations and people could participate in the discussions and feedback sessions. For those papers that require no feedback, just the reception of the report we would provide them a space as well in the day’s expo program.
• Spaces just to gather and talk would also be provided, cafe’s with good coffee, cakes, food, a local bar or two would be booked for the event as would be shuttle buses to transport people around if need be, these spaces might also host live musicians.

Day 3

• Day 3 would be a day of fellowship and celebration, imagine a venue full of children, young people, older people with worship in the evening to close the celebrations. Food from people from all nations represented would be served, bouncy castles, music from bands or artists, live street performances, live painting, pipe organ renditions in the local church for those who want to hear that stuff, jazz bands, balloons, craft stalls, clowns, drama presentations, choirs, prayer stations, cafe’s, games, sports….
• We’d close the celebration day with a worship celebration, a celebration of what God is doing in the community and the church.

Day 4 and 5

• Opening with a video reminder of the past 3 days, personal testimonies, stories from churches and people who have experienced God’s presence in the space over the last 3 days.
• Multi-Sensory/Multi Site Worship, hold 3 different worship services in three different spaces, the aim is to provide a space for the participants to connect with and reflect upon God’s call on their lives that has brought them to this place and the time that they will be spending in the space.
• Then we’d go into a time of “decision making”, this is where it all goes a little blurry. I see a place full of circular tables with a large candle in it’s centre, lit during the morning worship, the tables are covered with butchers paper and crayons…
• The papers that need receiving, those from the boards and other committees would just need receiving as they’d been able to share their reports during the first 2 or 3 days and hopefully would have solved peoples issues with the reports, there shouldn’t be any need for the synod to enter into discussion or debate, if there is a need then we’d possibly lynch the person speaking…
• Papers that require a decision, that are harder to pass would then be explored in depth, there should only be 3 or maximum 4 of these in each event, once again presentations would have been held on these papers during the expo and everyone would have had the chance to attend.
• I’d spatter the day’s events with testimonies of people both young and old and from multiple cultures, testimonies of coming to faith, of their faith, of life and love, of church and of mission… these testimonies will continually remind us of our purpose, of the reason that we are gathered.
• The end of the event would be signaled by a worship event with a speaker who would encourage the church to continue to explore its mission and life, to continue to be vibrant and searching. The entire gig needs to end with a positive mindset, too often the closing service of Synod’s are worn down, uninspiring events that we all are too tired to enjoy or participate in.

Physically I’d set the space up with:

• Wireless internet, so that people could blog their synod experiences, msn friends across the room, upload photos of the events to the official Synod Flickr site, upload new updates of the papers, ask questions of the moderator or of presenters and keep an eye on the moderator by checking out the moderator’s webcam.
• Circular tables have always been my favoured choice, chairs around the tables for group discussion, food placed on the tables, bread, chupa chups… Candles would be placed on each table, possible fire risk, but a continued reminder of the presence of God’s light in the place.
• Large screens and translator units strategically placed around the venue for people to listen to the proceedings in their own language and to keep an eye on the proceedings even if their back is towards the front table.
• I’d add an art gallery around the space, large and small images and sculptures would adorn the venue acknowledging that this is a space where a creative God is present, not a place of paperwork and rushed decisions. I’d add a graffiti wall for people to adorn with writings and pictures.
• In the welcome packs we’d give everyone we’d give them a set of rosary/prayer beads with a simple pattern of prayer to use in times that hard decisions are being made, in times of celebration and in times where they want to pray…

I could probably go on about my “perfect” synod event, but it’s now 1.13am and I need my sleep…