The Spiritual Program

Dynamic Worship

At That Thing there are two corporate worship sessions each day. These large worship sessions provide participants a space to encounter God and His Word. The experiences present challenges for growth that define a Christ-follower's outward and inward life.

Teachings: We don't expect everyone to learn symmetrically. As well, we believe that God's Truth is revealed, absorbed and challenges people through more than just a sermon: spoken word, scripture, music, videos, drama, dance, quiet, technology and all of our senses are all used to engage worshippers.

Our Keynoters come from a variety of backgrounds and traditions but focus on the common vital threads that all believers can agree upon; the power and authority of, and our commission by Jesus Christ. That Thing's host and spiritual director Gern (Ryan Gernand), coordinates all of the teaching styles, encounters and themes to guide worshippers through an overall spiritual journey to the week.

Music: We like our worship music intense and powerful. That doesn't just mean loud...it is, but it's about helping worshippers release themselves from the world around them and commune with God. It'll be fast and strong when it fits...and it's also going to be slow and meditative when that fits. In the end, it's always passionate, purposeful and part of the truth being shared.

The songs come from writers like Steve Fee, David Crowder, Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, Joel Houston and others. The music can be new to some students, so the songs are taught and used a couple times throughout the week to help create familiarity.

Answers: Sometimes during the teachings in a session, we'll offer major questions without just putting out an answer. It's intentional and essential. If we, as a body of Christ, aren't learning to face questions and challenges head on, we'll never learn how to properly discover answers; we will only ever learn how to wait. So, we instead learn how to discover Truth through scripture, by starting and seeking out discussions, from unpacking cloudy info/questions, by being challenged and in turning to other resources on our own. That Thing helps prepare students to enter college without losing their footing.

Student Response Encounters & Prayer Stations:Enaging tangible encounters...Ebeneezer's. These visible moments are so important to have. They are essential for looking back upon and saying, "What happened there?". Each day students face different response opportunities that help them walk through the major decision of choosing whether or not they will live in the image of Christ. These responses range from visible physical movements to quieter contemplative processing.

As well, free-range prayer stations in the auditorium provide worshippers an opportunity to journal, connect, pray for themselves and others, give, unpack, uncork and move where ever the spirit may lead.

The Curriculum & Community Spaces

The That Thing team will provide your group with info about the curriculum. Both in and out of the worship sessions. You are free to use as much of the Community Space material as you want. It will provide a great accompaniment to the spiritual journey going on with the focus of the worship sessions. The Community Space gives your group an environment for discussions within your group, activities to challenge and create excitment and opportunities for interaction with other groups/lodges. All of the prep work and supply lists are laid out in the curriculum to make utilizing these spaces amazingly simple and meaningful for your group.