I'm trying to plug into a solid Church in Downtown Los Angeles, which is not an easy task. First of all, I'm from Orange County, which is - when you look at it, in many ways, a different culture itself. LA has its districts. It's got it's cool kids, it's ruffians, it's goons, and lest we not forget there are many cultures of different ethnic groups, each with varying degrees of assimilation into what we'll call the monoculture of Los Angeles.
Now, just so I don't offend, let me first say that I understand that everyone likes to worship differently, and as a person who cherishes religious pluralism, I want to say that If you like one of the styles of worship I find uncomfortable or distracting, I'm not saying you or your style of worship is wrong or bad or shouldn't have lots of parishioners.
But I come from the Non-Denominational and subtle Baptist style of worship, and was looking for similar for what I would find in Orange County. Like Vineyard Christian Church, or Calgary Christian Church in Costa Mesa. Something like Whittier Area Community Church in Whittier (the Church my parents go to); or even Eastside Christian Church near CSUF.
Maybe I missed something. The worship is different in Los Angeles. Perhaps, it's because I'm also bussing and biking, and that puts me in a smaller footprint than I should be in, or maybe I'm being too picky, and Jesus will find me as long as I am seeking the Kingdom of God.
But another thought came to mind. Perhaps big city folks don't church like suburbia does. Maybe there is more of a call of desperation in high population areas, and that pushes parishioners to drive to the outskirts of those districts they normally claim.
That's when I took to there searching.
There is an initiative right now to put 200 Christian Churches into Los Angeles; in each of the districts that Los Angelinos identify with.
Now, just so I don't offend, let me first say that I understand that everyone likes to worship differently, and as a person who cherishes religious pluralism, I want to say that If you like one of the styles of worship I find uncomfortable or distracting, I'm not saying you or your style of worship is wrong or bad or shouldn't have lots of parishioners.
But I come from the Non-Denominational and subtle Baptist style of worship, and was looking for similar for what I would find in Orange County. Like Vineyard Christian Church, or Calgary Christian Church in Costa Mesa. Something like Whittier Area Community Church in Whittier (the Church my parents go to); or even Eastside Christian Church near CSUF.
Maybe I missed something. The worship is different in Los Angeles. Perhaps, it's because I'm also bussing and biking, and that puts me in a smaller footprint than I should be in, or maybe I'm being too picky, and Jesus will find me as long as I am seeking the Kingdom of God.
But another thought came to mind. Perhaps big city folks don't church like suburbia does. Maybe there is more of a call of desperation in high population areas, and that pushes parishioners to drive to the outskirts of those districts they normally claim.
That's when I took to there searching.
There is an initiative right now to put 200 Christian Churches into Los Angeles; in each of the districts that Los Angelinos identify with.
Three years ago, Stadia partnered with Kevin Haah to plant New City Church of Los Angeles. Last month, Haah announced a partnership with Stadia that will result in 200 more churches across Los Angeles.
Haah says Los Angelenos identify with specific neighborhoods, mentioning one of 119 areas when asked where they’re from. The neighborhoods range from small, 10,000-person areas to “cities within a city” like Koreatown, home to 225,000 people.
“If you include the communities that make up metro Los Angeles, there are about 200 neighborhoods,” he says. “Our vision is to plant a new church in each one.”Read more
Comments
Post a Comment