A different kind of church

Chapel at Nungalinya College

My office is on the campus of Nungalinya College - a theological college for Indigenous Christians. So I have the privilege of joining them each morning for chapel, a different kind of church.

In the Bible, 'church' really just means gathering. But we often mean something more specific. Here's some terminology that is used by students at Nungalinya College: Church: a church building or a Sunday gathering at/near the church building Fellowship: an outdoor, late-night gathering with a keyboard, microphones and speakers Chapel: a gathering of students and staff before class each day

I love going to chapel each morning. It's a refreshing blend of Western and Indigenous styles of worship. Sometimes classes organise chapel, otherwise a staff member runs it, making an effort to demonstrate teaching techniques that can be replicated in the students' communities.

Indigenous elements

Songs & prayers in different languages

Only the person reading the Bible has a physical Bible

Dancing

Dramas

No projector/screen

Western elements

Sitting on chairs

Sitting in rows

Sitting inside

Prearranged program

It is at 8:30 in the morning!

Often only acoustic instruments

Give thanks for the opportunity that I have to attend chapel and be encouraged, and for the encouragement that coming to Nungalinya College is for so many Indigenous Christians.

See a short video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRd8oGNvp60&feature=youtu.be