1. Non-denominational Bethel Christian Fellowship 1466 Portland Ave. Molly Sagerhorn Ben Byers-Ferrian

2. BCF History Formally organized by Sister Engquist on August 19, 1930 Formally organized by Sister Engquist on August 19, 1930 –Had vision in spring of 1917 to start church Read Isaiah passage and had vision and call to begin church Read Isaiah passage and had vision and call to begin church –Image of rose in desert/water to dry ground Began in store at corner of Snelling and Randolph Began in store at corner of Snelling and Randolph –Moved into boxcar with built-on addition at Snelling and Juno in 1935 –New building in spring 1958 on Iglehart –In current building since 1982 Former Sons of Jacob Synagogue Former Sons of Jacob Synagogue

3. Church Structure Belong to Fellowship of Christian Assemblies Belong to Fellowship of Christian Assemblies –Group of churches –Work for good –True to the word –Alive in the spirit –Use Apostles Creed

4. Member Initiation Bridges to Ministry course Bridges to Ministry course Fill out questionnaire about self Fill out questionnaire about self –Tells where you can be effective Given letter of membership Given letter of membership Adult baptisms Adult baptisms Remain in good standing if you attend, give offerings, and are part of the body Remain in good standing if you attend, give offerings, and are part of the body

5. Church Stats 300-400 members 300-400 members Mostly young church, not many members are retired Mostly young church, not many members are retired Every year have a ministry appreciation dinner to recognize members Every year have a ministry appreciation dinner to recognize members –Began 15 years ago –Current pastor initiated He came in as a healer to church He came in as a healer to church

6. Structure of Church Generalized heading of being Pentecostal Generalized heading of being Pentecostal Has elders Has elders Representatives chosen for decisions Representatives chosen for decisions –Congregation does not vote

7. Year Themes Yearly themes Yearly themes –Year of Bounty –Begins in January of each year Member of church had strong impression that it meant to give away their overflow Member of church had strong impression that it meant to give away their overflow –Not meaning that the church would gain more Gave up belongings Gave up belongings –Collected belongings from members, opened church and gave away those belongings to anyone –Brought new people into church

8. Services/Communion Have many prayer times during week Have many prayer times during week –Building always open to come in to pray –No formal services during week Communion once a month Communion once a month –Table brought down –Unleavened bread that is broken –Use grape juice –Placed in holders/trays to pass out Congregation does not get up Congregation does not get up –Have set words said with communion Not formally exact, but basically the same is said every month Not formally exact, but basically the same is said every month

9. Ordination Attend seminary Attend seminary –Usually Bethel University or local seminary Pastors can get married Pastors can get married –Can be male or female Have ordination service Have ordination service –Laying on of hands –Certain words are said

10. Funeral/Wedding Service Funeral Funeral Have wake Have wake Can have funeral anywhere family wants the service Can have funeral anywhere family wants the service Short sermon is said Short sermon is said –Usually on resurrection Allow friends/family to come up and share any words or memories Allow friends/family to come up and share any words or memories Can have open casket if possible Can have open casket if possible No formal service that is set No formal service that is set Wedding Wedding Have service with friends and family Have service with friends and family Need to attend marriage counseling with pastor Need to attend marriage counseling with pastor Choose their own scripture Choose their own scripture Exchange vows Exchange vows Exchange rings Exchange rings

11. Children’s Teaching Children are sent out during service Children are sent out during service –Before sermon Sent to get their own teaching Sent to get their own teaching –Like Sunday School Called “Kingdom Kids” Called “Kingdom Kids” All children sent out through high school age All children sent out through high school age High school students also have service on Sunday night High school students also have service on Sunday night –Students are in charge of everything in service –Go on mission trip once a year Usually to Mexico Usually to Mexico

12. Our Experience Attended Celebrative Service on April 30 th at 10:30 AM Attended Celebrative Service on April 30 th at 10:30 AM –Lasted 2 hours (this is usual) –Reflective Service at 8:30 AM on Sunday –Fellowship time between services (9:45-10:30) River Café River Café

14. Visual-Spatial One alter – more like table One alter – more like table Had ambo/lectern – did not use it Had ambo/lectern – did not use it No official chair for pastor No official chair for pastor No baptistry No baptistry No tabernacle No tabernacle Pews along back wall for musicians to sit Pews along back wall for musicians to sit Instruments used: acoustic/electric guitar, piano, violin, bass, drums/percussion, 2 back-up singers Instruments used: acoustic/electric guitar, piano, violin, bass, drums/percussion, 2 back-up singers

15. Visual-Spatial No certain areas “reserved” No certain areas “reserved” –Pastor sat in congregation area when not speaking All rituals are performed in same space All rituals are performed in same space No special vesture No special vesture –Pastor wore garments from India –Will wear clothing to reflect diversity of congregation

16. Visual-Spatial Assembly sat in congregation area Assembly sat in congregation area –Including all elders and pastors Bucket seats still used from previous owners Bucket seats still used from previous owners Does not emphasize movement Does not emphasize movement –Lots of standing/clapping/hand raising –Would not be abnormal to move about Mostly human scale Mostly human scale –Not extremely large space

17. Acoustic English used during service English used during service –Members use native language at times Could lead prayer in their language, etc. Could lead prayer in their language, etc. Music supposed to clarify texts Music supposed to clarify texts –Use music as prayer/reflection Music interacts with each person in their own way Music interacts with each person in their own way –Music not to be ignored or overlay any ritual

18. Acoustic No professional musicians No professional musicians –Members of church Contemporary music used Contemporary music used –May use hymns Music always accompanied Music always accompanied Music very important to worship service Music very important to worship service Not very complex – congregation supposed to sing on all songs Not very complex – congregation supposed to sing on all songs

19. Kinetic Congregation stands for prayers/songs Congregation stands for prayers/songs –Sat for preaching or testimony from member –No postures/actions reserved for leaders Held up hands Held up hands Clapped Clapped Swayed Swayed Shouted Acclamations Shouted Acclamations

20. Kinetic No procession No procession –Majority not in church when service started In gathering area In gathering area –Music began and congregation entered Not formal procession Not formal procession Made own gestures Made own gestures –Shook hands to greet others around us

29. Questions? Comments? Dislikes? Secret Desires? Break time?