Church?

Yesterday, we went to church--sort of.

I had long wanted to attend the gospel brunch at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney, but the opportunity had never arrived until yesterday.

I waited outside in the wilting summer heat with curiosity and anticipation.  We entered and turned in our tickets and were seated on a particularly uncomfortable pew in the balcony to the side of the stage.  There was a table level board attached to the rail in front of us.

We were then directed to the abundant buffet, a celebration of excess which began with breakfast items and went into a creole lunch.  If the 18 feet of food was not enough, there was another station set up by the bar where a carver could provide ham or beef, trays of corn bread and biscuits and a dizzying array of desserts.

It was a reminder that this was not like church the way I was used to experiencing it.  In Baptist circles, the pot-luck is free and happens after the service, not as a prelude to it.  We also don't have a disco ball on the ceiling or swirling spots on the stage curtains.

Finally, the curtains parted and revealed an ensemble of eight performers and a small band.  From the very beginning, everything was unapologetically Christian in tone and concept.  The show began with a quotation about worship from the Pslams.  The performers/worship leaders were energetic, engaging and talented.

The first couple of songs were fast-paced joyous affairs with clapping and standing.  The mood of the service then shifted to a more somber tone and the music became a more pensive ballad.  The lead singer said, "You've come today for a show, but I hope you don't mind if we do a little ministry."  She then listed the sorts of burdens that a person might have brought with them and launched into a song that reminded those present that God is with them all the time.  As the program came to its conclusion, the mood shifted to celebration as all the July birthdays and anniversaries were invited to come and join the choir on the stage for a rousing song of praise.

The level of performance was exemplary.  I also was pleasantly surprised by the Christian sincerity of the performers.  What interested me most was that in the short period of time they were on stage the music created a powerful trajectory--joyful worship to thoughtful reflection on the imperfections of life to celebration for God's gifts.

I went into the House of Blues expecting a show but left having been to church.