A Visit to Solomon's Porch

Last night Tim and I joined our book club friends from Plymouth Covenant Church and visited Solomon's Porch. We had just finished reading Reimagining Spiritual Formation: A Week in the Life of an Experimental Church by Doug Pagitt and others at Solomon's Porch.

The gathering, as they like to call their worship fellowship, meets on Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm. They meet in the upstairs of an older building in a transitional neighborhood in Minneapolis. Seating is in the round, and Pastor Doug (Pagitt) sits on a stool and swivels around as he gives the message to people seated on used couches and arm chairs. The music is wonderful--all written by the Porch musicians. Those in attendance have an opportunity to respond and react to the message, and several people are designated to lead in prayer, readings, and other exercises.

Afterward, Doug took time to talk to our group of 16, to answer questions about what they do, how they do it, why they do what they do. It was an informative time about what it means to live in community. On Tuesday evenings a group meets with Doug and together they come up with the material for the sermon each week. On Wednesdays people gather in someone's home for dinner. Other things are going on during the week, and people are informed via e-mail, the web page or through announcements on Sunday.

When we finished "grilling" Doug, we headed out to an Ecuadorian restaurant about four blocks away, Guayaquil Restaurant. We had delicious food (I had quesadillas) and chatted until 10 pm about the book and the gathering. A great time was had by all.

Till next time,


Suzi