First Lobby Night Report

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UPDATE ON THE FIRST PREVIEW GATHERING OF THE LOBBY
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January 22, 2006, a date that will live in infamy, was our first preview night of The Lobby. We broke some conventional rules, turned some heads and worshipped the Lord. It rocked!

There are a lot of bugs I want to see us massage out and things we dream of doing in the future that we aren't yet able to do... but for now I'll give you just a few great highlights of how it went:

• God really moved through the message, interaction and singing. People were really giving God his due: it was a "worship gathering" -- not just a get-together.
  
• So many people contributed either a little time or in some cases a TON of time to make it all happen. The team was amazing!
• During the "Question of the day" interaction Gwen revealed to the crowd that she used to bonk chickens on a wall to get them to stop scratching her while she was working on the chicken farm. Was that not a classic moment?!?!
• Seeing so many people that I didn't know at all or didn't know much at all come to The Lobby. There were 72.5 people present (one counted 72 and one counted 73) and a bunch of them were new to me at least.
  
• People loved the interaction time -- they were clamoring for more of it by the end of the night.
• The video message went really well. People were laughing and engaging with it.

Here's a sampling of the card & e-mail comments we've already received:

"I was greeted warmly, and given a little card that piqued my curiosity. My first sight was candles, funky lamps, and a warm atmosphere. The classy coffee and cookies were a nice touch, and gave me something to do as I entered a room full of people I didn't know. There was a lot of standing/walking around room, which I appreciated. 2 people who didn't know me greeted me once I entered the room."

"I felt God's presence through the whole evening... and I made a new friend tonight :-)"

"The relaxed feel was great... The lights, chairs, lamps, coffee, the worship made the environment amazing. I was excited to sit through it – I believe God is really going to use that service to touch lives this coming year."

"I met a few people... and saw a great cross- section of folks from various age groups and interests. I went home thinking about who might make THE LOBBY their home church that has never connected to church and to God before... that is the mission lived out... Developing people to know Christ, reach the lost and reproduce disciples."

-Make your comment on The Lobby right here by clicking comments - even if you do it anonymously!