FAQ
Who leads harmony springs?
Everyone - We don't restrict. We have men, women, young, old, educated and people with lots of life experience all pitching in. We are a movement supported by individuals all working together to accomplish a goal. We have people who set vision and mission like our pastor and leadership, people who give financially to support the mission, people who set up, tear down, and everything in between. We encourage people to do things they love and take part in our movement.
Why don't you have bulletins?
Being green is important to us. We do lots of little things like cutting down on what we print, recycling, and using reusable cups. We know it causes a bit more work when the restaurant you are eating lunch at has a 'show your church bulletin and receive a 10% discount' on Sunday deal. We use it as an opportunity to surprise people with how green we are as a church. Being ahead of the curve as a church brings its challenges.
Your name is funny, where did that come from?
The two parts of our name have specific reasons:
Harmony comes from our past. Like most people, we have a past that has parts we might like to forget. Years ago we realized we needed to do something big, adventurous, and different. As you might guess, that caused some discord. The good news is that it allowed us to appreciate the harmony we now enjoy. So much so that we made it a part of our name.
Springs comes from our future. We purchased 9.2 acres on Arlington Rd near the Boettler intersection. The development is called 'Spring Hill.' We wanted the people who live near our future church site to know we are a movement that is one with the community. So, to reflect the surrounding neighborhood we took the name 'Springs.' There are also lots of references to water in scriptures. Like a spring we are a movement that draws on the depth of spiritual meaning which constantly flows into our lives and inspires us to live more fully.
How do you feel about the Browns this year?
We are eternal optimists who believe there is 'always next year!'
What is communion?
Communion is a symbolic meal everyone is invited to share to celebrate Jesus' life, teaching, and ultimate sacrifice. Jesus told his followers this as they finished what would be their final meal together.
At our weekly gatherings, we join Jesus in sharing bread and wine and experience the living Christ through the sharing of the bread and the cup. The presence of the love and hope embodied by Jesus is affirmed and proclaimed in our lives.
I am not sure where I stand politically; is harmony springs liberal or conservative?
Neither and both (did you see that coming?). We don't say what to believe. Each person freely lives out their understanding of faith and its implications on life (including politics). Everyone at Harmony Springs has their own opinions. Our tradition has a saying that goes, 'where there are two of us there are three opinions.' We like to be independent which means we question everything, grapple with faith, have vigorous discussions, and often come out in different places. We encourage independent thinking.
Does allowing different perspectives/ beliefs work in a single church?
Harmony Springs is part of a 200-year-old movement that was formed on the American frontier by people fed up with denominations and factions separating people based on habits, dogma, and preferences. They wisely decided that unity should be central and first - that any other belief would fall far secondary to their focus. They understood that people would, by nature, be forming their own beliefs and should have permission and freedom to do so.
A motto of the early movement, "In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things love." Harmony Springs is a place of community that brings individuals together to focus on spirituality. So, even when pastors, teachers, leaders, and members vocalize their ideas, they speak for themselves. Individual convictions, even when articulated from individuals holding positions of leadership, come secondary to the collective voice.