Authentic Venue Press Release

Okay, you heard about a third worship venue coming to Morningside so how does it work? When does it begin? Where does it happen? What is it about? How does it look and feel?

You ask good questions.

Let’s begin with the name, Authentic.

Authentic Worship
We call the third venue, Authentic. The name communicates relevance, setting and atmosphere - for emerging generations - different and distinct from the other two venues we currently use.

Why add a third worship hour when the other two are less than full?
Some people prefer a traditional worship atmosphere, like the Sunday morning 8:30 Classic venue. Other people put themselves before the throne of God by way of a less traditional option, like the Sunday morning 11:00 Contemporary venue. Maybe you, like many others, seek a more relevant venue. Relevant Venue Expect a totally different look, sound, touch and feel. The Student Building - a.k.a. Crash House - plays host to the new venue.

Why use the student building (when we have a beautiful sanctuary)?
People that seek this type of venue look for a concert atmosphere and setting. Concerts happen in “black box” theatres. The student building/Crash House is beginning to look and feel like a “black box” theatre. Recent paint, updated seating plus the soon-installed, brand-new sound and lighting systems gives building E a whole new look, touch, feel and sound.

What will the music sound like?
Expect volume, lots of volume, along with fresh music and the Authentic Band. MBC Student Minister, Brandon Johns, leads worship and this is not his first time.

What time does it start and, by the way, what day and date?
The Authentic venue begins at 5:00 in the afternoon starting Sunday, February 12, 2012. Let’s start with Sunday and see where it goes and how it grows from there.

Why use such a different time?
Emerging and current generations use a different Sunday schedule than that of parents. Sunday afternoon gives them – and maybe you – an opportunity to sleep-in (on your only day to do so) and still worship/celebrate the resurrection of our Lord on the first day of the week. A 5:00 start time also allows you to worship and still take care of the kids with the beginning of the school week.

Will there be child care?
MBC provides childcare, nursery through age 4. Other youngsters worship together with everyone.

How does everyone dress for Authentic worship?
The word, authentic, implies without pretense. So, dress comfortably, causally, however you like. The only person you need to impress is God.

What kind of people go to the Authentic worship venue?
Get ready for surprise. First, you think young people but when you arrive and look around, you realize that people of all ages worship in this setting.

Black Box Setting
The setting for worship means everything to every generation. From stone temples to white frame churches, from soaring cathedrals to store front operations each generation needs the right setting. A “black box” theatre provides the right setting for this generation. Previous generations needed aesthetic and formality. This generation needs high tech and informality.

High tech and Informality
Bring your coffee. Bring your gadget. Bring your friend. Thad brings the Word.

Friends
We’ll do coffee in the basement immediately after worship on launch day (February 12, 2012). Several Bible study and educational opportunities meet around campus at 6:00 if you want to take advantage of them.

Advantage
The Authentic Worship venue comes as part of the Blueprint. It sits just below the 2012 mark on the timeline. Launching at the first of a new year gives MBC the advantage. Take full advantage of the opportunity and spread the word. The February 12, 2012 start gives us time to “wake the neighbors (and) get the word out.”