Preview | 01.22.06 | Oh What a Night...

First Lobby Night Report

___________________

UPDATE ON THE FIRST PREVIEW GATHERING OF THE LOBBY
___________________

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!

Thank You Speech

Sunday is right around the corner and The Lobby is ready to rock. Thanks to everyone that is helping make things happen, from our groovy new logo and fun worship team to our children's ministry leaders and tech team. I'll have about 30 people to thank after Sunday, not-including all those that are going to attend our first preview Gathering. If you want to come Sunday to help set up at 3pm for one hour I'd thank you too.

But for now here's a Golden-Globe-speech style thank you list.

A shout-out and thank you to...

• Chip Bos and his tech team
• Bill Barton and his first impressions team
• The worship planning team members: Julie Collins, Gwen Jackson, Casey Rycenga, Justin Martin & Chip Bos again
• Josh Katt for the planning and Chuck Rycenga for the woodworking
  
• Pete Yoshonis and his worship team
• Scott Legget and Myra Marshall for staff support and resources
• Terri Stewart's administrative support
• My mom, my dog and my best friend Eric growing up.... yada yada yada: you get the point. A lot of people have worked hard to put this new thing together.
  

See you Sunday night at 6pm

New Stuff on the Main SLWC Page

The Lobby is getting some push on the main SLWC web pages.

Click here to find that main Lobby page with links on that page to:

• An FAQ with flair!
• Back to this blog
• A list of who might enjoy attending The Lobby