Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

19:33 Building Community Through Church

25:00 The Imperfect Nature of Church Communities

30:22 Transition to Hybrid Church Services

32:20 Challenges of Live Streaming Worship

41:14 The Birth of Conversation Street

45:50 Shifting Mindsets in Church Participation

Show Notes

Welcome and Introduction

- Matt Edmundson welcomes listeners to Crowd Online Church, introducing guests Anna Kettle and Dan Orange.

- Light-hearted banter sets a relaxed tone for the evening's discussion.

Panel Discussion Format

- Explanation of the panel discussion format, a recent change in the church's approach.

- Emphasis on open dialogue about upcoming changes to Crowd Church.

Personal Reflections and Community

- Anna and Dan share personal experiences of church life, highlighting the importance of community and shared faith.

- Discussion on the role of church in personal faith journeys and the value of in-person fellowship.

The Role of Church in Modern Life

- Exploration of why attending church remains significant in a digital age.

- Matt, Anna, and Dan discuss the biblical basis for gathering together, referencing Hebrews 10:24-25.

Challenges and Consumerism in Church

- Addressing the consumer mindset in church attendance and the importance of active participation.

- Encouragement to view church as a place to contribute and support others, not just receive.

Biblical Insights on Church Community

- Discussion on 1 Corinthians 12 and the metaphor of the church as the body of Christ.

- Emphasis on the unique and indispensable role each member plays in the church community.

Upcoming Changes to Crowd Church

- Announcement of a hybrid service model starting in October, combining in-person and online elements.

- Details on the new format, including live and pre-recorded talks, and maintaining digital engagement.

Interactive Elements and Community Building

- Introduction of small groups post-service for deeper connection and discussion.

- Encouragement for both in-person and online attendees to participate in community life.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

- Invitation for audience feedback to refine and improve the church experience.

- Emphasis on collaboration and adaptability in the evolving church format.

Closing Remarks

- Reminder of the upcoming discussion on politics and faith in the next session.

- Encouragement to join the journey and contribute to the community dialogue.

Keywords:

Crowd church, hybrid service, online church, in-person worship, conversation street, small groups, community building, faith discussions, Liverpool church, Sunday evening service, interactive church, digital church, Christian fellowship, church livestream, Bible study, panel discussions, church community, faith journey, church accessibility, church innovation, modern church format, church engagement, church inclusivity, church technology

Matt Edmundson [1:57 - 2:10]: Well, good evening. Welcome to Crowd online church. My name is Matt Edmundson and it is great to be with you this evening. Tonight I am joined by the delightful and delectable Anna.

Anna Kettle [2:10 - 2:12]: Hi, nice to see everyone and the.

Matt Edmundson [2:12 - 2:15]: Equally delightful and delectable Dan.

Dan Orange [2:15 - 2:18]: Hey, nice to see you all. I'm looking at the wrong place.

Matt Edmundson [2:18 - 2:20]: Yeah, look at the camera, Dan.

Dan Orange [2:20 - 2:22]: Shift a little bit, not look to the sky.

Matt Edmundson [2:24 - 3:41]: Professionals to the end is what we are. A very warm welcome to you. Welcome to this online service. If you've been with us the last few weeks, you'll know that we've been doing things a little bit differently. We've been doing what we call panel discussions. So joined by these two wonderful people around the table and we are going to be talking about church tonight in our panel conversation. Specifically, we are going to be talking about the changes coming to crowd. So I've been hinting at the changes coming up to crowd church. And so tonight we're going to talk about them. We are going to just put it all out there for everyone to hear. So that's what we're going to be doing tonight. Hopefully you'll stick with us. Do say hi in the comments if you're watching on the live stream. I think we're on Instagram tonight. YouTube and probably Facebook. I don't, I should actually know where we're live streaming. Shouldn't. I've not actually tested Facebook. I do. I can see we're on YouTube and Instagram. You're going to check Facebook? I'm going to check Facebook while I'm rabbiting on. Yeah. So anyway, do say hi in the comments. Be great to see you. Be great to see you in there. Any questions, obviously put them in the comments and we'll try our best to answer them. But yes, Anna, how's your day been so far?

Anna Kettle [3:41 - 3:50]: It's been good. Yeah. Yeah. It hasn't been the most exciting day, but just, you know, an average Sunday, really. We went to church this morning and then.

Matt Edmundson [3:51 - 3:52]: So that wasn't exciting.

Anna Kettle [3:52 - 3:55]: Yeah, well, that bit was good, I guess.

Matt Edmundson [3:56 - 3:58]: You know, we are talking about church.

Anna Kettle [3:58 - 4:14]: That was the highlight, to be fair. That was the highlight. Then I came home and like made a lasagna and we did homework and, you know, Sunday afternoon jobs. Yeah. Hassle. So, yeah, no, it wasn't, you know, rainy, rainy autumn Sunday afternoon. It was not much to talk about.

Matt Edmundson [4:14 - 4:45]: Very rainy this afternoon. I got home and the grand prix started early because it was the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. And Lawrence, by the way, hi, Matt says hi in the comments. Great to see you. I was watching the grand Prix, and because I didn't get to see the start, there was a lot of questions that I had, like, why is Lewis all the way down there? Do you know what I mean? All these kinds. Anyway, unless you're watching the grand Prix, you won't know what I'm talking about. But as is my usual bent, I watch the grand Prix for about five or ten minutes. Have a little nap.

Dan Orange [4:45 - 4:46]: Yep.

Matt Edmundson [4:46 - 4:48]: Wake up, watch the end. Do you do that as well?

Dan Orange [4:48 - 4:56]: Yep. Yeah, when the f one's on, that's it. Sunday afternoon. F one. It's just soporific sounds, isn't it? Just like she said.

Anna Kettle [4:56 - 5:07]: She's just. I think I'd just happily go to bed and, like, cut out the Grand Prix. But to be honest, the Grand Prix.

Dan Orange [5:07 - 5:10]: Is what causes it. It just helps you.

Matt Edmundson [5:10 - 5:11]: Yeah.

Dan Orange [5:11 - 5:19]: I've been up since. We've not been out since half eight doing tech at church, and then I've had three coffees, so I'm actually still going.

Matt Edmundson [5:20 - 5:28]: Did you ever see that movie over the hedge with the squirrel in it? Have you? You've got.

Anna Kettle [5:28 - 5:30]: No, I feel like I would remember that one.

Dan Orange [5:30 - 5:35]: Our kids. Yeah, I've heard of it, but I didn't see it. We sort of skipped that era.

Matt Edmundson [5:35 - 5:36]: But you've not seen it?

Anna Kettle [5:36 - 5:38]: No, I don't think so. No.

Matt Edmundson [5:38 - 5:49]: Okay. So anyway, there's a. There's this movie. Hey, mems, in the comments as well. There's this movie over the hedge. And in the movie, this is a church service, by the way, if you enjoy life, we are going to get.

Anna Kettle [5:49 - 5:52]: To church stuff at some point. We're going to get to the point.

Dan Orange [5:52 - 5:54]: And we're going to discuss what is church.

Matt Edmundson [5:55 - 6:45]: And church is talking about movies. Anyway, don't derail me. In this movie, there's this character who is like a squirrel, and they give the squirrel caffeine, and there's just this really funny scene when they give this squirrel caffeine. And that's what you're making. So you just need to watch the movie with your kids, honestly. You'll enjoy it. It's a good movie. So. Yes, very, very good. Okay, so tonight, apart from me reminiscing about over the heads, which is a kid, my film, my kids watched, we are going to talk about church. First, let's talk about church. Why we do church. Like, I mean, I know we do this thing online, and apart from, you know, playing with tech gear, obviously.

Anna Kettle [6:45 - 6:48]: Well, for me, speak for yourself. I don't play with any of the duck.

Matt Edmundson [6:49 - 6:52]: Yeah, it was funny when you came in early.

Anna Kettle [6:52 - 6:55]: My mic a little bit, and then it was like, don't touch the mic, Anna.

Dan Orange [6:59 - 6:59]: Yeah.

Matt Edmundson [6:59 - 7:08]: When Anna came in earlier, she sat down in this chair. Cause I wasn't sat in it and said, you can sit there if you like, but that means you're controlling the live stream. And you stood very quickly.

Anna Kettle [7:08 - 7:09]: No, thank you.

Matt Edmundson [7:10 - 7:13]: So maybe it's just me and you that play with tech.

Dan Orange [7:13 - 7:25]: Yeah. So we could sort of say that's our excuse, but it's not. We just get to play with tech with Anna. Anna's proof that it's not all about tech. It's more about God.

Matt Edmundson [7:25 - 7:45]: Apparently tech is a modern day phenomenon for church. So let's talk about church, why we do it, a few verses that I want to sort of draw out tonight, if I can. And we're going to set this as a foundation. Then I have to put my glasses on to read my computer screen because I'm just not doing very well. And you have to blink, don't you?

Dan Orange [7:46 - 7:56]: We just discussed it. That won't we. I have a contact lens in one eye and hey, it's working. But close up, it goes a little bit pear shaped. But most of the time we're good. I can safely drive. That's the main thing.

Matt Edmundson [7:56 - 8:00]: And Dan's an electrician. You really want to put.

Dan Orange [8:00 - 8:01]: Colours are still.

Matt Edmundson [8:04 - 8:05]: Okay.

Anna Kettle [8:05 - 8:08]: I feel like this is just going downhill quite quickly.

Matt Edmundson [8:08 - 8:17]: Let's move on. Let's move on. So let's talk about some of the foundations of church, because it's fair to say, Anna, you've been going to church all your life, right?

Anna Kettle [8:17 - 8:20]: Yeah. You're a PK pastor's kid.

Dan Orange [8:20 - 8:21]: Yeah, me too.

Matt Edmundson [8:22 - 8:22]: Yeah, you're.

Anna Kettle [8:22 - 8:24]: Dan is as well.

Matt Edmundson [8:24 - 8:49]: So I didn't go to church my whole life. I didn't start really going to church until I was about 18. And so I didn't have that whole upbringing, you know, going to church. I did Sunday school occasionally, but that was about it, really. So, you guys, let's start with you, Anna. Why do you. Why do you still go to church all these years later? What is it about church?