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coolpoete
Forum
Veteran
Joined: 14 Jul 2002
Posts: 316
Location: From St.
Maarten, living in Alabama
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 Posted: 13 Mar 2004 06:46 Post subject: The Gathering: New
church formula? |
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I wanted to get your opinions on
the church or fellowship that Mark has begun in Trinidad. For those
of you who have not received the email update I will re-post it
here. Do you think that this kind of ministry will do well out here
in the states.. or even in other countries overseaseas? The pastor
of my church decided to build a basketball gym first before he built
the sanctuary. The focus of the church was and still is to provide a
place of fellowship for the community, not so much a 'building for
church-goers'. So on the weekdays it is a fully functional gymnasium
(except for Bible studies and other activities) and on the Weekend
they lay tarp and chairs down, retract the basketball goals and have
church. (Some of you who came to the Christafari performance a few
years back in Madison, AL. would know what I'm talking about.)
Anywayz, here is the email:
| Quote: |
Following
Christafari's 2003 European tour, Mark (lead vocals) and his
wife Avion (bass and vocals) followed the Lord's undeniable
lead and moved to Trinidad and Tobago, a twin island country
in the southeastern Caribbean. Trinidad is a very ethnically
diverse land with a population that is about half Black and
half East Indian, with a few Assyrians, Asians and Caucasians
in the mix. After about a month in Trinidad, it became clear
why God had brought them to this country. "After studying the
Christian churches of Trinidad I found a major void," said
Mark. "While many churches may have good youth groups, when a
teenager finishes secondary school (high school), he/she is
stuck with two choices: become a youth leader, or attend their
church's general service which can be tough for a 17 year old
teen who watches more BET than TBN. With the average age of
many congregations around 45 (and the pastor may be even
older), these youths are found searching for a message with
relevance. There are some g
reat youth events and concerts
held for college age singles, but many churches in Trinidad
and Tobago have a void in Christian education for those aged
16-32."
After this realization and much prayer, the
Mohrs set out to plant "The Gathering"--what many today would
label a post-modern church. They don't actually call it a
church, because the church is the body of Christ--people not
buildings. The word "church" can also have a negative stigma
for both the un-churched and Christians alike, keeping them
from attending and hearing the Word of God. The Gathering is
redefining the Christian church for today's young adults in
Trinidad and Tobago. "It's kind of a Church 2.0," says Mohr.
"Before starting The Gathering, I studied the Gospels, the
book of Acts, and the Epistles. Comparing that Biblical church
model to the typical church of today, it didn't take long to
realize most of today's churches carry a lot of excess
baggage, jam packed with empty traditions, and a vibrant
alternative was needed. The Gathering is founded on four key
pillars: Worship, Instruction, Fellowship and Evangelism
(W.I.F.E.).
Climbing the stairs to the Gathering,
which meets on Mondays (not Sundays) at 7:50pm in the bustling
and sleepless city of St. James, one quickly realizes it's not
a typical Trinidadian church. As sang by Mohr and Sherwin
Gardner in a dancehall commercial created for radio in
promotion of The Gathering; There are no pews, no pulpit, no
steeple--this is just a simple gathering of the people. There
are a few chairs in the back, but most attendees recline on a
couch, or on a pillow. A pillow? "That's right, think about
it," says Mohr. "When I am at home about ready to watch a
great movie, or my favorite TV show, where do I sit? I choose
the most comfortable spot in my house, the couch. In the same
way, why shouldn't we be comfortable when we worship?" In lieu
of pews, Avion sewed large Jamoo mats and about 100 custom
made pillows.
There is no dress code at The Gathering.
In fact, Pastor Mohr (though he prefers it if you just call
him Mark), arrives in shorts and a t-shirt, delivering
messages that are conservative in doctrine, yet dynamic in
delivery, utilizing relevant analogies and a plethora of props
to accentuate his points. "Different people have different
learning styles, so in my expository teaching I use parables,
analogies and a lot of visual examples. I often start off
messages with a clip from a popular movie like 'Lord of the
Rings' or 'The Matrix' and always end with an opportunity for
the audience to personally apply what they have learned," says
Mohr. "While many pastors in Trinidad will literally yell at
their congregation for hours on end, I limit my messages to 45
minutes and try to use different dynamics in my speech. I talk
to the congregation as I would to a close friend." With the
lights dimmed and the candles lit, every attendee is meant to
feel welcome and at home--and they do.
Each Monday
night, the event is kicked off with a DJ spinning the best of
today's gospel reggae while the people gather. Next is a
mixer--a time for the people to mingle, asking each other one
assigned question. The answer to this question is always
addressed later in the message. The mixer is followed by a
time of musical worship The Gathering calls "soul-lifting
intimate acoustic songs." "It is more like MTV Unplugged than
Hillsong," says Mohr. "We rotate worship leaders weekly and
each one is a well-known Caribbean gospel artist. Their
God-directed songs are becoming the praise and worship
standards of this generation in Trinidad. I strongly encourage
the artists to use their own material and possibly a few other
Caribbean praise songs. I also discourage them from using
American or western songs. I believe a significant problem
with the churches here is so many of them have been robbed of
their own culture by missionaries who instituted the western
music
they were accustomed to for praise &
worship. Rather than have The Gathering imitate what is going
on in America, I want to bring Trinidadian culture back into
the church and make it a 'Trini ting!' As another key element
in accomplishing that objective, I'm building up a Trinidadian
leadership team and eventually phasing myself out. We already
have several strong native teachers in position who can lead
when I'm out on the road ministering with Christafari."
At each Gathering we introduce a special guest artist
for what we call the "six-pack." In the six-pack segment, we
ask the guest artist six personal questions in a late-night
talk show format. This intimate discussion gives the audience
a glimpse of the artist's heart and passion for the Lord. In
the six-pack, the sixth question is always, "so tell us about
the song you are going to sing for us." The music that follows
varies weekly from reggae to dancehall, hip hop, soca,
calypso, jamoo or even alternative. Pastor Mark's message is
usually tied into the subject of the guest artist's song. The
message is followed by a time of prayer and a song by both the
guest artist and the worship leader. Finally, The Gathering
concludes with fellowship, but this after-church fellowship is
like no other. Food, snacks and drinks are available, and the
DJ starts spinning the slammin' reggae tunes once again. The
pillows and mats are cleared out to make way for the pool
tables, foosball, air hockey and arcade g
ames. "It is
amazing. An hour after the service, half the people are still
there talking and hanging out. This is after-church fellowship
at it's best!" says Mohr.
"I am not against the
churches of Trinidad and Tobago. I believe the churches here
work for those who are already attending. The problem is most
churches are allergic to the word 'change' yet there is a
spiritually malnourished generation being fed primarily by a
consistent diet of movies, media and music. We aren't
effectively reaching the lost. My studies at BIOLA University
and my background of musical ministry with Christafari have
prepared me to reach this demographic group through these
mediums," said Mohr. What started in early November of 2003
has already grown to as many as 100 attending The Gathering.
Plans are underway to start another Gathering in the southern
part of the island and then possibly Tobago and other
Caribbean islands. The Mohrs and The Gathering are under the
covering of Sanctuary International and The Sowers
International missions organization. They are supported
entirely by the one-time and monthly love offerings from those
who believe in their ministry. If you are
interested in
supporting this vision please e-mail: mark@christafari.com
|
_________________
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CoolPoet
http://www.geocities.com/coolpoete | |
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Jah Pickney
Moderator
Joined: 16 Nov 2001
Posts:
780
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 13 Mar 2004 15:50 Post subject: |
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This is actually a vision that
Mark originally had for in Jamaica. Long time now Mark has dreamed
about "Jah Yard" in Jamaica, which pretty much had the same format
and idea as "The Gathering." It is great to see yet another one of
his visions coming to life. God had a different place for the place
of origin but I think Mark is still planning to bring it to Jamaica
as well.
_________________
Jah Pickney deyah once again ya
know! Coming to ya straight FROM THE HEART! http://www.jahpickney.com/ | |
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MarkMohr
Current
Christafari Band Member
Joined: 28 Nov 2001
Posts:
122
Location: LA, CA, USA
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| Posted: 14 Mar 2004 01:20 Post subject: |
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Yeah Tim, the initial vision
started with Jah Yard in JA, but since then as you can read it has
developed significantly. I am already talking with people in
Barbados and Antigua about the possibility of starting one on each
island. We are also working this month on starting another one in
South or Central Trinidad. Pray for us and for leaders. It is
exciting, for 15 years I have been a part of getting Christian
reggae to the Caribbean, now I am on the other side of the ministry
also, helping build congregations that are doctrinally sound and
culturally relevant. As this grows, I do hope to take this concept
to Jamaica, but I want to build strong Gatherings in other Islands
first and then have the leaders of these churches be intrical in the
Jamaican plant. This would be far more accepted if it was a
Caribbean thing and not a white Mark Mohr thing seen? Jamaica's
tempermantal like that.
Blessings
mark | |
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Jah Pickney
Moderator
Joined: 16 Nov 2001
Posts:
780
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 14 Mar 2004 16:19 Post subject: |
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Seen! I would love to be apart of
this ministry so much.
_________________
Jah Pickney deyah
once again ya know! Coming to ya straight FROM THE HEART! http://www.jahpickney.com/ | |
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MarkMohr
Current
Christafari Band Member
Joined: 28 Nov 2001
Posts:
122
Location: LA, CA, USA
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| Posted: 14 Mar 2004 19:51 Post subject: |
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Sounds Great Tim! You should
raise some missions support and come down and visit us in Trini some
time soon!
Mark | |
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Abishai
Joined: 13 Nov 2001
Posts:
53
Location: At the moment...Springfield MO
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| Posted: 16 Mar 2004 21:10 Post subject: |
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| I think its great but I dont
believe the same format will work universaly. To be effective in the
mission field you cannot drag your culture to them but adapt to
their culture and then share the Gospel in a way most relivent to
them. I think the same thing needs to happen stateside. As churches
we're caught up in tradition in the way things 'should' be. Im not
against tradition but if it interferes with the furtherance of the
Gospel and the church body then it has to go. Its great to get
successful ideas that other church bodies are using, just be wary of
things that arent biblical and dont fit the cultural makeup of your
church(i love reggae but i dont think it would fit well in a midwest
church where the average age is 60). | |
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christ-warrior
Forum Veteran
Joined: 06 Feb
2004
Posts: 162
Location: Warsaw, Poland- doing God's
Will
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| Posted: 20 Mar 2004 18:40 Post subject: |
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| All that matters (not that
nothing else matter in what they do) is what is getting preached. If
it's good word, it's great. If not, it's not. But thru listening to
Christafari's CD's, i'm sure it's good. | |
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SilentFire2581
Forum Veteran
Joined: 04 Nov
2002
Posts: 156
Location: Trinidad
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| Posted: 20 Mar 2004 19:35 Post subject: |
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Now I real like this idea, the
gathering seems ligit. However I must admit that if not structered
properly then there could just be a care free attitude in God's
pressence.
Now I don't have a problem of the the idea, but
something was mentioned in the Quote, that most taditional churches
are allergic to change.....that is something that I totally disagree
with. Reason well lets look at it from a personal point of view.
Most people change, however they change at different times. If
people all changed at the same time, going through the same phases
we would have a major problem. Like wise institutions dedicatd for
spiritual upliftment. THEY ALL CHANGE, and are NOT ALLERGIC TO IT
since they all change at different times. Some fast some slow, but
they change. This helps to keep the balance.
Also with
change, we must be careful what we change. The old people always say
careful when you throwing out the bath tub, you don't throw out the
baby-cause with changing you could also discard some good
things...for example the atmosphere where everyone dress up in their
best clothes,with worship music playing softly(no matter if the
songs are not from our culture) sets a mood and an atmosphere which
I have seen break down people(saved and unsaved) and it easily
allows them to pour out to the Holy Spirit ,and yes there are
certain things tradionally churches do that would seem as though
they are stuck in a time warp, but believe me brother they affect
people.
I am young(not even twenty) and I surrendered my
whole heart to the lord and believe me brethren I am not void...also
we recently received two new youths into our assembly(one 14 the
other 24) and they are on fire for the lord and I know they don't
feel void of anything.
What we must realise is that each
person has to make that choice to serve God whole heartly.No matter
how their church is structered. I have personally taken it apon my
self to stop watching certain music videos(like on BET and MTV) that
have no spiritual upliftment(like 50 cents e.t.c) Nobody told me to
do that but I made that choice. Now even if I attend a church which
is really cool and casual, banging out hardcore gospel reggae...plus
my Pastor is a Ras(wow....that would be really cool)  but that
wouldn't make me stop sin or even stop watching or listening
spiritually unhealthy music e.t.c cause I gotta make that choice for
myself.
Even if I was an unsave now joining church(let's say
I was a real partier, love to fete and is rum till I die) and I got
saved, and God placed me in a church which to me is boring and dry,
where they say I can't grow my hair, can't take tattoos, and is only
hymns we singing....because of my love for God and me understanding
that walking for him(even though at times may not seem cool-in the
young people sense of the word) gives me no right to slack off on my
christian walk.
Now brethren that's just my...now here what
I'm saying eh..my point of view. To eveything there are many ways to
seeing it so I had to show this aspect. Hopefully Mr Mohr would
cater for the south people and open one down here( I think he
mentioned dat) so we could experience the difference) Cause u see
the way how things are these days and plus me and me crew would have
to travel on that road that hour of the night...nah we have to play
it safe
Eh bless up Mark Mohr and family
Laterz
_________________
Biging up Mission Epistle,
new artiste Jesse and all Christian Groups.
SilentFire@eiradionetworks.com
http://www.versionist.com/artist.php?artist=SILENTFIRE2581 | |
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