What is church for? What is it not for?
What is life for?
The service will not have a sermon or lecture. It will use the format called Bohm Dialogue which emphasizes respectful listening and balanced, synergistic sharing. For more details about how Dialogue works, please see this intro. Basically we will sit in a circle with a talking stick in the center. Whoever wishes to speak on the topic “What Is Church For?” will take the talking stick (or ask for it if they need help) and return it to the center when done speaking.
Bohm Dialogue is a cooperative endeavor to explore a topic. People are therefore allowed to refer to what others have said, build on it, ask questions about it, or even disagree with it, as long as it is done thoughtfully, respectfully, sticks to the topic, and is addressed to the whole group rather than to individuals. Dialogue is mostly about respectful, attentive listening.
Everyone is welcome. You are welcome to think about the topic beforehand but no preparation is required or expected — come as you are with whatever thoughts/intuitions you have, ready to listen, learn and contribute.