I graduated with a 98% on my final exam! This is Sam and I in the workshop. That's a cheap guitar there, but I learned to make it play like a $2,000 instrument.

AUGUST 9-12, GALLOUP SCHOOL OF LUTHERIE, BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

August 9-12, Galloup School of Lutherie, Big Rapids, Michigan

Most of you know by now that I’m a pretty inquisitive creature by nature. Because of this, my life has taken me many different places. This week it has led me to Brian Galloup’s School of Lutherie to learn about guitar fretwork, repair and set-up. I learned of Brian’s school a few years ago when an emergency guitar repair sent me to his “guitar hospital”. While there, I was able to see some of Brian’s work- probably the most beautiful and beautiful sounding guitars that I had ever seen or heard. I knew that if I ever had the chance… anyway, here I was at guitar school. My instructor was Sam, an apprentice of Brian’s, and as I later came to realize, a person with a thorough understanding of how to make a guitar play well. Basically, I spent the week learning how to make guitar necks straight, along with re-fretting, nut and saddle construction, and proper setup for various types of guitars. It might not sound like much, but you would be surprised how much is really involved! There is a process for everything, and Sam was pretty good about letting you know when you weren’t doing things right (with a smile.) By the end of the week, I had a pretty good idea of how to do things, although with Brian and other students constructing guitars in the next room, I also learned how much I really didn’t know yet! Maybe next sabbatical! The week, while very busy during the day, was none the less very relaxing. Not only was I learning a new trade, but I was able to stay at my Grandpa's house in Hersey (about 20 minutes away). In the evenings, "Pops" and I would find something to eat (many area churches have weekly "community meals" on a donation basis), then either piddle in his clock shop, fish for trout in the Muskegan, or watch "Andy Griffith". Good work if you can get it! Now back in Battle Creek, all I need to do is build my repair shop and start practicing with my own guitars. Check for the “shingle” in a couple of months.

AUGUST 7, MARS HILL CHURCH, GRANDVILLE, MICHIGAN

Being that my annual family reunion was today, I needed to visit a church that was relatively close (and thank goodness! Gas prices have been killin' me!) Mars Hill was just the ticket. Founded just a few years ago by Pastor Rob Bell, Mars Hill has been something of a phenom. Simply through word of mouth, the new church's first Sunday attendance was over 3,000 people! After a year or so of GROWTH, the "budding" church moved from the local school to an old shopping mall where it still resides. As a matter of fact, unless you know EXACTLY what you're looking for, you'll never find the church. The only signs are simple decals on the mall entrance doors! (the YMCA which uses part of the mall gets all the attention.) Very little has been done to change the mall appearance. "Gantos" is now the entrance to one of the preschool wings. The sanctuary is simply one of the "flagship" stores which has been gutted, carpeted, and painted. As a matter of fact, the most updated part of the facility is the "Club 56" room, which resembles a teen night club. Sarah was with me this morning, and although she loved the Club 56 room, opted to stay with Dad in the "Big Church". We were joined by about 2,000 other people as the worship started much like a youth campmseeting. "GOOD MORNING! The Mars Hill Sanctuary Choir has once again met to worship!" We all make up the choir. Worship consisted of a combination of songs, hymns, and quiet scripture readings. Prayers were offered up by laypersons. The whole thing reminded me of Chapel services in college! After a few announcements, a guest speaker was introduced and then presented a great 40 minute sermon. I was completely surprised at how totally no frills and low key the service was. Members attended in shorts and t-shirts and sipped Mountain Dew between songs. Many believe that this is the future of worship in America. Something must right, for this church has at least 5-6,000 members. I believe that it is its simplicity and quality that makes it work. Remember, more isn't always better. The worship was great, and the sermon was great. No frills. Just great. Hmmmmm.

This is Mars Hill's sanctuary. If you wanted to "build" a large church "on the cheap", just rent out an old mall. This used to be retail space! 

JULY 16-23, H.E.A.R.T. INSTITUTE, LAKE WALES, FLORIDA

There’s probably not much that I can tell you that you haven’t already heard from the youth during their presentation on the 31st, but I would like to mention a couple of things. First of all, wow, what an experience. The week was a total immersion into 3rd World education and experience. We built and painted, planted and harvested, fed and slaughtered, cooked and cleaned up. From baking bread in a solar oven and showering in solar heated showers to a virtual 3-day “snipe hunt” (sorry Chris, you were SO ripe for the picking!), we all had a truly wonderful adventure. Additionally, I couldn’t be any happier or more proud of our counselors. Even in the midst of adversity (like high heat and humidity and TONS of “creepy crawlies”), they all kept cheerful, insightful, and positive. You couldn’t ask for anyone more dedicated or qualified to lead our teens during this incredible week, or for the rest of the summer. Great job gang, I can’t wait to get back into it with you!

JULY 10- DAYTON CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER, MAIDEN LANE CHURCH OF GOD, AND BARNEY WARREN'S FRONT PORCH

Christian Life Center – Dayton, Ohio

Wow, what a great service. I can’t really put my finger on what made it so special, other than the fact that I was attending an 8:30 a.m. service and EVERYONE WAS WORSHIPPING! Isn’t the early service the “laid back” service for morning people who just want to get church out of the way so they can get on with golf and gardening? While contemporary in nature (newer songs, electric guitars, etc.), the service retains a somewhat traditional feel by not being overly processed. The worship leaders and speakers were very “down to earth”, speaking as though they’ve live across the street from you for years. While somewhat corny, a skit was well performed and integrated fully into the theme of the service (stepping outside of your comfort zone despite fears). The pastor’s sermon was enjoyable and relevant, delivered from atop a diving board in the center of the Chancel. This is truly what I would consider a “next step” church- basically where I would like to see North Avenue in the next few years. If time permits, I would like to visit again. I would also like to arrange appointments with the church leadership to discuss their worship preparations. As an aside, I also enjoyed the amount of involvement from the laity in worship. Between the skit, band, praise team, and small choir, there were at least 20 people of various generations participating. The involvement defeats any feeling of “concert” or “show”. Very refreshing.

Maiden Lane Church of God – Springfield, Ohio

Just a quick note about Maiden Lane. I was bless to spend an hour with Pastor Randy Spence after the worship service to talk about his church’s vision. As it happens, Maiden Lane had launched a “satellite” church in a neighboring town. The church isn’t so much a “plant” as it is an extension of their ministry. The site has its own pastor to oversee pastoral care, and counseling, and follow-up, but preaching is done on a rotational basis between the site pastor and other pastors at Maiden Lane, including Randy. The new site is growing, and Maiden Lane currently has plans to launch new sites as smaller churches in the area close their doors.

Church of God Campgrounds – Springfield, Ohio

On the way out of Springfield, I actually “found” the Ohio State Campgrounds due to a construction detour. I decided to stop and look around. What a bummer that I didn’t have my camera! The original Tabernacle is still in use, and a walk through it takes you back over 100 years. However, even more exciting was the fact that the famed Church of God songwriter Barney Warren had a cottage at the campgrounds, and its STILL THERE! I spent a good 30-40 minutes sitting on the porch, humming B.W. tunes to myself. The sun was out, and I could almost hear the Tabernacle echoing those songs as they were most certainly sung there… as new songs! I was told by the caretaker that the cottage will be disassembled at the close of the summer and restored on the campus of Anderson University as a Barney Warren museum. I plan to return in a few weeks to get those pictures!

WHAT'S NEW?

Here are the first of a few updates due this week after three weeks away from the internet. Today's post features trips to First Baptist Church of Atlanta and my folks' home church, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Later this week, I'll be posting my thoughts on the Christian Life Center of Dayton, Ohio, Maiden Lane Church of God in Springfield, Ohio, a trip to Barney Warren's front porch, and my trip with the Youth to the H.E.A.R.T. Institute in Lake Wales, Florida. See you then!

Probably the most beautiful church in which I have ever worshipped. 

July 24, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Maitland, Florida

Okay, so this church is VERY different from those I have been visiting. While most of the churches that I have visited are typically contemporary in nature, Holy Trinity’s service has changed very little in 1700 years! Home church of my Dad and Step Mom, the Orthodox liturgy is sung or spoken alternately between the priest, deacon or cantors, and the congregation, both in English and in Greek (a printed liturgy helps you keep track if your Greek isn’t in top form). The order of worship leads from an admission of God’s presence and greatness through petitions on behalf of self, the church, church leaders, civic leaders, travelers, and a call to peace and full devotion to Christ. Following the petitions are the Antiphons, or hymns, that are sung alternately between the priest, cantors, and people. The way that these hymns have been sung has not changed in centuries- a real music history lesson! An epistle and gospel reading follow, which in turn is followed by the priest’s homily. More petitions and confessions of faith lead up to the climax of the service, the celebration of the Eucharist (Lord’s Supper). The service concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving and a personal visit to the Priest for a blessing. Virtually nothing is done without specific or symbolic purpose. While a bit too “high church” for the family, I found the service quite stimulating and worshipful. Especially noteworthy was the musicianship of one of the cantors. With a simply angelic voice, she has mastered the very difficult ability to sing in “quarter tones”. Traditional in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music, these tones break up our usual 8 note scale into a scale of 32 notes! When sung incorrectly, it simply sounds as someone is tone deaf! Sung correctly, it is very exotic and beautiful. I believe that I have resolved myself to visit this service at least once each year- just to keep myself rooted in the foundations of early Christian worship.
As an aside, a very nice “coffee hour” followed the service (if you’ve seen “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, you know that there is no such thing as a “simple” coffee hour! Try assorted fruit, brie with raspberry sauce, and a variety of homemade fruit pastries. Only a tour of the new restaurant quality kitchen got me away!) I was privileged to share this time with one of the members of Holy Trinity Church, Antonio “Tony” Alexatos, a world renowned executive chef. During the administrations of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, Tony would be the President’s personal chef whenever they visited Florida. My Dad had been begging Tony to bring some of his scrapbooks to church, and this just happened to be the Sunday that he did. In the books were pictures of him with the various Presidents and some of his creations and culinary awards. Let’s just say that I got the church cookbook and that you’ll be tasting some of the recipes at a future North Avenue pot luck! Needless to say, Tony had a hand in designing the church kitchen which is used to serve over 5,000 people each October during Greek Fest. Kali Orexi! (Hearty Appetite)

Notice that the front of the Sanctuary is actually a "set" in a large TV studio. The service is televised nationally each Sunday morning. The service we attended will be aired in October. 

Sunday July 31 @ First Baptist of Atlanta, GA

Okay, this place is huge. In it’s former lifetime, the building was Avon’s (you know, makeup?) main warehouse. Over the past few years, its been transformed into a church/television studio/theater/diner/climbing wall. Kinda like Staples- “yeah, we’ve got that!” Your first impression (after parking the camper in the next time zone and catching the shuttle bus to the doors of the sanctuary) is that Dr. Charles Stanley must be the pastor. That’s because his picture is everywhere- from the oil painting outside the sanctuary to the bulletin covers and every other book in the church bookstore. I think he’s pretty much got job security. The sanctuary is as much a TV studio as it is a house of worship. Video lights and cameras are everywhere, and if there isn’t a camera near you, there will be during the service. Camera “snipers” are everywhere getting candid shots of worshippers trying to sing with straight faces while knowing that their picture is about to go on national TV (Not our family. After a week of camping, our boys were looking a bit “casual”, unlike the kids in the next row in suits and ties. Yep, they’ll be on TV.) The service centers around the message of Dr. Stanley. Worship, although top notch with choir and FULL orchestra, only lasted 10 minutes. I was just getting warmed up! After some announcements, an orchestral piece, and offertory with a special ensemble song (all very nice), Dr. Stanley delivered a 55 minute, 15 point sermon on “the Extraordinary Life”. It was good, but I personally believe Sparky could have delivered it in 10 minutes. I’ve known about the ministry of FBA for some time (we have friends there), and I’ve come to the realization that their real strength isn’t necessarily Sunday worship. It really is the myriad of other ministries that involve the thousands of people who call FBA their home. A host of Associate Pastors provide the “personal ministry” that congregants need, and literally dozens of associated ministries allow personalized attention to members and the community. There are dynamic teaching seminars, youth and children’s ministries, and a theater ministry (now playing “Fiddler On the Roof”, FBA also presents the annual “Passion Play”, a “must see” for all Atlantans.) It really is a wonderful place to belong, our only disappointment being that we were not allowed inside the nursery. To pick up Nicholas, we literally had to slide a redemption card under the door and wait for staff to deliver him to us. We found that strange, and a little unsettling.

Enjoying a walk at Jetty Park just south of Port Canaveral. 

Wow, the last few weeks have been pretty incredible. I (and various members of my family) have been everywhere from a cookout with Chip and Dale to Barney Warren's front porch (for you Church of God history buffs!) I've been to "3rd world" missionary training, a television taping at First Baptist Church of Atlanta (Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor), a Space Shuttle launch, and even munched brie with Antonio Alexatos, the personal chef to three U.S. Presidents. I haven't had internet access until today, and since so much has happened over the past three weeks, I've decided to update this site over the next couple of days with some of my experiences and pictures, not necessarily in chonological order. It's been an incredibly rewarding and enriching time, and I hope you find my posts interesting (at least), and (at most) enlightening. Stay tuned!