Kyu Eui Lee

Church name: Lawndale Christian Community Church

Church address: 3827 W. Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623

Date attended: 10/23/2016

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

As soon as I walked into the building, I saw the spirit of the community rejoicing in Christ as the band, choir, and fellow members sang loudly in unison. The stage for the main preacher and speakers was located in the middle of the gym with leaders facing each direction of the congregation. This made the worship feel more in connection with one another. In my regular context, the band would be situated next to a wall, and the entire congregation would all be facing them in one direction. This church also sang more gospel-like songs while my church would sing Hillsong and more contemporary worship songs. Before the sermon, Lawndale Church began with the mourning of the loss of boys and adults in their church from shootings in Chicago. Then the service moved on to announcements, a sermon, and prayer which was similar to how my church would orchestrate their service.

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

I found the praise portion of the worship service most appealing because it was a new experience. I felt that the jazzy vibe and the atmosphere of the congregation was much different from other churches. This church was lively and sang together while moving their bodies as each member felt the music together. I found that the most interesting part about the service was the communal mourning for their lost ones. Their community is extremely close and personal to the point that members would shout to correct the pastor when he got a name wrong. Without losing respect for one another, the congregation voiced their anguish and sorrow for their lost ones in prayer. This was interesting and radical because other churches would not share death so easily. My Korean-American church back home would be against sharing death in such a wide and loud way. They would instead mention the death once and keep it more to themselves.

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

I found the pastor’s deep desire to implement the “Soul Shalom” concept very challenging. It was a good reminder that God is with us and that we cannot falter in our trust with God. However, it felt very much forced as he continuously urged us to try each step during the service. Nonetheless, Lawndale’s recommendation of “Soul Shalom” helped me realize that my prayers and concerns were completely different from this community’s. It was challenging because I understood how differently we live and attend church as my prayers were focused on my life while their prayers were solely devoted to their lost ones and those families that were severely affected. "Soul Shalom" was indeed challenging because in one way it did not feel connected to the message, but in another way it showed the different types of prayer and concerns people had.

How did the service help you to reflect on questions of wealth and poverty?

This service helped me open my eyes on wealth and poverty as I saw the different types of struggle each community goes through. It helped me realize that poverty in certain locations was completely and differently perceived compared to others. And although wealthy communities might also face problems of their own, I came to accept that this community, in its poverty and low-income background, was very community-oriented and understanding of what they were going through. It helped me see the humbleness in which they were living in and the humility to pray together as a community about issues that not only impacted their church, but their actual community outside of church.