church, on the big screen.

i had someone ask me recently about 12stone, and if we always watched the message on the big screen-or where we could go to see a live sermon.

its funny, cause i had literally never even thought about the fact that we watched on a screen until someone asked!

and if you're not familiar with 12stone you may be wondering what i'm talking about!

12stone is one church, but in many locations. so most of the time you'll watch the sermon on a big screen- but you also have a campus pastor for whichever location you attend. now, that probably seems weird. but again, i never even realized! i mean, obviously i knew i was watching a screen, duh, it just never phased me.

(Snellville Campus Pastor Trey H. , he is pretty awesome!)

it doesn't come off as impersonal or weird or anything to me. quite the opposite. no matter where i'm sitting inside, no matter how far in the back or close up front- i can see clearly. i feel the pastor making eye contact with me, speaking to me. i can hear, and see perfectly in any seat in our church!

(larger campus)

(smaller campus)

i also love that no matter what location you attend, you get the same message. i love seeing other 12stoners out in the world, and even if we arent close friends or go to the same location- as soon as we figure out we have 12stone in common we strike up a conversation about that week's sermon! its so cool. so personal, relate-able. i love it. its like belonging to the coolest club in town (although, i'm still waiting to learn the secret handshake, and receive my de-coder ring....kidding! well, unless such things exist, ha!).

yes, its different than a typical church setting and experience- but that is exactly why i love it. the people make the church, not the building (we happily attend the Snellville campus which is currently in a high school for goodness sakes!). Not having someone standing on a stage physically in front of you, so what? heck, even when i made the decision to be baptized, i didn't even think twice about waiting till we moved in to our permanent building so it would be all fancy and on a stage with lights,etc. i was thrilled to do it in the lobby of brookwood high school surrounded by my church family up close and personal. i love that if we are sick, or out of town, and miss a sunday- we can jump online sunday night and watch the very same sermon/pastor that everyone else watched that morning!

i also love that if you don't have a bible? take one home! want some coffee? they have starbucks! church notes-check! i love the notes they hand out each week. and don't even get me started on the worship music yall.

anyhoo, give it a whirl. i have a feeling if you try 12stone, you'll fall in love with it just like i did.

i fully believe God saved me, my marriage, and my family- and i firmly know he used 12stone to do it.