I’ve heard this question quite a few times in recent days. “What’s it like on Easter Sunday at Commonway?” It’s usually coming from someone who is relatively new to Commonway, though sometimes it’s from students who typically travel home for the holiday and may be sticking around Muncie this year.
I love what this question suggests about our community. We are a collection of people searching for truth, comfort, hope, and love—and we come from all sorts of backgrounds, both religious and not. Because of the diverse experiences, it’s hard for some to know what to expect. People want to know what the experience is going to be like, though I’m hopeful it’s pretty clear what we will be talking about (spoiler alert: He’s risen. He’s risen, indeed).
Some are asking the question trying to figure out if Sunday will match their experiences growing up, for better or worse. Will all the women be wearing big hats? Do I need to dress in my finest? Is there an egg hunt for the kids? What about special decorations? And how about communion?
Many are asking for quite the opposite reason: they have no experience at church on Easter and aren’t sure if they are about to walk into something completely undesirable. Will there be anything that makes me uncomfortable or embarrassed? Am I going to have to make some sort of public declaration in front of everyone? Is this where the fire and brimstone preaching comes in and I check out?
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – Jesus of Nazareth
One of our core values is “shared grace.” What does that mean? We aren’t perfect and God doesn’t expect you to be either. In this community, our “common-way” is depending on God’s transforming grace. It’s not that we all have the same experiences in life, the same perspectives on burning issues of the day, or even the same beliefs about why things are the way they are in the world. Belief isn’t the basis for belonging at Commonway. Everyone belongs.
Our Pastor, Matt Carder, often says his favorite part of our mission statement—”inviting people to find hope in Jesus”—is that it’s for everyone, not just those who might be labeled as outside of the church or those who don’t “know Jesus.” Every Sunday morning, including Easter, we all come through the doors of the Horizon Convention Center for the same reason: we are looking for hope, along with truth, comfort, and love.
Easter Sunday at Commonway will be full of friends and family, music and singing; it’s a celebration of who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He is continuing to do in us, Muncie, and around the world. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). What would it mean for you if hope, truth, and the reality of God’s Kingdom are already breaking into this world, beginning with the death and resurrection of Jesus?
We all come from different places and backgrounds, and whatever your experiences have been or your doubts are today, this is a safe place for you. Shared grace is our common-way and we would love to have you as part of this gathering. You already belong, all you need to do is come in.
Commonway Church gathers every Sunday at the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie, from 10:30 – 11:45am. Parking is available to the west of the Convention Center and in the new parking garage by the hotel. Curbside drop-off and limited parking is available on High Street. We’ll have hot coffee and self-serve tea ready and waiting once you get inside.
Commonway Kids cares for and ministers to children aged birth to 5th grade every Sunday morning. It is our goal to be able to minister to children entrusted to our care each week to help them experience God in a real way! Kids classrooms are located on the second floor of the Convention Center. Look for one our signs or one a greeter (they wear name tags) if you need any help at all.
- What To Expect: www.commonwaychurch.com/about/what-to-expect/
- What We Value: www.commonwaychurch.com/about/values/
- Staff & Board: www.commonwaychurch.com/about/staff/
