Experiential

Participatory

Image-driven

Connecting











EPIC is a concept from Len Sweet in his book, Postmodern Pilgrims. Sweet believes churches can be effective at reaching and discipling a postmodern culture by becoming E.P.I.C. churches. I [Pat] would add that it's not just for post-moderns. I think the EPIC concept just plan works.

Why?

Experiential: People truly want an experience. Why do you think Disney is so popular? At NewCov, we try to give them an experience - corporate AND personal - of God.

Participatory: Christianity is neither an individual nor a spectator sport. Our faith is experienced best as we engage, individually AND corporately. People want to be a part of the process, not detached from it. Again, check out Disney... and almost every ride, you have your experience together and you are a part of the experience.

Image-driven: We live in an image-driven culture. Images give hooks to thoughts, ideas, and meaning. Image becomes metaphor.

Connected: The pursuit of individualism has led us to this place of hunger for connectedness to communities. This is one of the core beliefs of biblical Christianity. We are in this thing together.

So basically, when we do our EPIC services, we are trying to give people an opportunity to experience God, through sight and sound (hopefully in the future, through smell). It is an experience that can be chosen and the depth of meaning is totally dependent on the individual. The experience is corporate and sends the message, either subtly or loud and clear, that the church does life best - all aspects of it - when it does it together. Togetherness with God and each other gives deep meaning to these events and, as a result, these services are very powerful.