wfn.org | New Kind of Church Opens

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
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Note 560 by UMNS on Jan. 22, 1998 at 10:08 Eastern (3648 characters).

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally			33(10-71B){560}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615)-742-5470  Jan.21, 1998

A new kind of church
opens in Detroit Area

by Kathy Goolian*

	CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (UMNS) – "If religious hoop jumping has left you cold,
there's something more for you," said the Rev. Mike Norton at the end of the
worship service at a new United Methodist Church in this rapidaly growing
community near Detroit.
	After six months of intense preparation, more than 525 people turned out at a
community Center here Jan 11 for the grand opening service of Canton
Friendship Church.
	Norton said an effort is being made to reach people not familiar with church
culture.  "There is less formalism and less language particular to the Bible,"
he said. "We don't want people to feel confused, shut out, unqualified."
	Worship at Friendship Church will be similar to a secular concert or a
business or community function, he said.  "It's about lowering the cultural
message, so we can minister."
	Attendees were served coffee before the service which they could take with
them into the service.
	"We want to change the perception of church going," Norton said.  "Varieties
of backgrounds will find a place in this type of church. . . the provincialism
of denominations is behind us."
	Norton said it is in "knowing God" rather than "knowing about God" that
friendship, intimacy, trust and acceptance are found.
	A small group in the Canton area, mostly from two other United Methodist
churches, is serving as the shepherding committee which will be phased out as
they are no longer needed.
	Between Oct. 8 and Dec. 12, more than 26,000 phone calls were made to Canton
Township homes. Of that number, 1,700 expressed a willingness to learn more
about the new congregation.
	A Christian rock band played during the first service, with lyrics projected
on a large screen in front of the auditorium. Lines such as "makes you wanna
dance. . .shout to the Lord . . . Jesus, Jesus, from darkness to light my life
overflows," were punctuated with hand clapping.  A skit dealt with the
philosophy behind the new church's organization.
	At present, the church is funded primarily by the Detroit Conference but
Norton said the goal is to make the congregation self-sufficient as quickly as
possible.
	Following the first service Pat Reed of Plymouth, Mich., said, "My daughter
asked me to come.  I thought it was nice.  It's different from what I'm used
to."
	Pat Yousoufian of Canton said she had been contacted months earlier about the
new church.  "I liked the music and might come back."
	Bill Semion of Canton said curiosity prompted him to attend.  "The service
was interesting, very casual, relaxed, different, but in some respects the
same. I'd like to come back and see what happens."
	Deborah Hairston of Canton expressed surprised that children's services were
planned for the first service.  "The service was nice, enlightening.  It was
short. I liked that."
	Ann Arbor District Superintendent Brent McCumons visited with attendees after
the service.  "How exciting it was to see the months of hard work and the
gifts of so many . . . come to fruition," he said.  "The worship was extremely
uplifting and it was great to see so many youthful families with young
children.  We United Methodists can be proud to be part of this reaching of so
many unchurched persons."
	Staff for the church includes Norton, a youth and children's minister, a
full-time music mnister, and an administrative assistant who is exploring
ministry as a career.
#  #  #

 	*Goolian is associate editor of the Michigan Christian Advocate.
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