Question:
Just thought I would throw this out there and see if I get any takers...
Next week our entire worship service will focus on the persecuted church. We are planning it out and have some good ideas, but it's hard because we meet in a community gym where we can't darken the room because of the windows 30 feet up.
We are having two videos - one we got from Christ in Youth, another one I put together two years ago to the song "Walk On" by U2. We are also having a special music at the end - This Road by Jars.
We are planning on confiscating everyone's Bibles as they come in and have a time during the service where they go to one of the curtains and write a Bible verse that they have memorized (I think after they have taken communion would be a good time). We will only have three songs, all done "unplugged" style - Trading My Sorrows, Blessed Be Your Name and He Knows My Name. We are also looking at getting wristbands for everyone with the name of someone being persecuted for their faith in the world for them to pray for. I don't know if that will happen or not because Voice of the Martyrs, The Open Door, etc. may not divulge actual names of people because who's to say I don't give those names to the Chinese government, et al.?
Anyway, those are the ideas so far - anyone have any others? Has anyone done this before? What worked, what didn't, etc.
Answer:
I don't know how well this would work in a church service, but having the "police" raid the service and maybe taking some people would be effective. That happened during a reenactment [sp?] type thing of the persecuted church that I have done [and there were gun shot noises, but I wouldn't use those in a church setting].
I have no clue if any of this made sense or is helpful. I have spent too much time doing sign language today and have a fried brain.
Answer:
"The Promise" by Plus One as a backround song.
"He knows every star in the sky every single tear that you cry. His love is here, faithful and alive. I know that this world can be cold, in his arms your never alone. Thats His promise, for you and I."
Also maybe some readings from "Safely Home" by Randy Alcorn. Some awesome stuff about heaven and persevering for Christ.
Answer:
I like Elizabeth's idea. As long as your congregation isn't the type that won't think this should happen in a church.
Someone else already suggested some songs, and it sounds like you have enough already anyway. So I'll suggest some practical stuff...
If it wasn't for the stuff you already have planned, you might have wanted to hold this thing somewhere other than in your regular building (depicting how many members of the persecuted church have to hide to have church, and do it in secrecy, changing locations, etc). But I imagine this isn't practical now, since you already have so much planned, and you probably haven't got the time to find a building and announce the location. You might try having it at a wierd time too, but that would be an extreme. Probably more suitable for a youth version.
Read stories of martyrs and persecuted churches.
This is a toughie.
Answer:
Sorry, I don't have much in the way of ideas. Do you mind if I borrow yours?
Answer:
Louis Armstrong...
"Nooooobody knoooows, the trouble I've seen, nobody knows, but Jesuuuuus..."

Answer:
Originally Posted by Jay Tea Sorry, I don't have much in the way of ideas. Do you mind if I borrow yours?
Go for it.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Elizabeth I don't know how well this would work in a church service, but having the "police" raid the service and maybe taking some people would be effective. That happened during a reenactment [sp?] type thing of the persecuted church that I have done [and there were gun shot noises, but I wouldn't use those in a church setting].
I have no clue if any of this made sense or is helpful. I have spent too much time doing sign language today and have a fried brain.
We thought about this idea, I think that if we used it what we would do is separate people as they come into the service - maybe have a group of 30 or so that we put in one of the storage rooms and then show a live video of them and pretend they are being beaten or something like that. I think that this would be the only way it would work with us.
Answer:
Originally Posted by agrimes87 If it wasn't for the stuff you already have planned, you might have wanted to hold this thing somewhere other than in your regular building (depicting how many members of the persecuted church have to hide to have church, and do it in secrecy, changing locations, etc). But I imagine this isn't practical now, since you already have so much planned, and you probably haven't got the time to find a building and announce the location. You might try having it at a wierd time too, but that would be an extreme. Probably more suitable for a youth version.
Yeah, plus there are no places to rent out in our city - every other place is already taken by another church plant.
Read stories of martyrs and persecuted churches.
We are going to do that - from Jesus Freaks 1 and 2.
Answer:
Originally Posted by IceHawk "The Promise" by Plus One as a backround song.
"He knows every star in the sky every single tear that you cry. His love is here, faithful and alive. I know that this world can be cold, in his arms your never alone. Thats His promise, for you and I."
We have all of the songs and background video music in place, but thanks for the idea - maybe next year when we do the international day of prayer for the persecuted church.
The special music we are doing is "This Road" by Jars of Clay, and the background song for one of the persecution videos is "Walk On" by U2.
Also maybe some readings from "Safely Home" by Randy Alcorn. Some awesome stuff about heaven and persevering for Christ.
Hmm, I'll have to check that one out.
Answer:
We are planning on confiscating everyone's Bibles as they come in and have a time during the service where they go to one of the curtains and write a Bible verse that they have memorized (I think after they have taken communion would be a good time). We will only have three songs, all done "unplugged" style - Trading My Sorrows, Blessed Be Your Name and He Knows My Name. That's a really good idea. Make sure it's candle-lit. And you might want to squeeze everyone into the smallest room you can in the church. And make the service last 4 hours. Maybe even make them do some hand-copying of the Bible. Have everyone hand-copy Philemon or something. Just some ideas.
In His love,
Sean