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October 8, 2009

Bangor church to provide alternative gathering place

Bangor church to provide alternative gathering place

By DENISE A. RAYMO

BANGOR — A new church here has a fresh approach that allows individuals to find their own faith while forging friendships and serving others.

LifeWay Community Church officially opens at 11 a.m. Sunday on U.S. Route 11 near the Bangor Post Office.

The Rev. Joe Selenski, pastor, has resigned from his position at First Baptist Church of Malone to take the helm at LifeWay although he will continue as director of First Baptist's homeless shelter, Barnabas House, and the Community Food Pantry.

ACTIVITY HUB
The goal at LifeWay is to become the third place in people's lives after home and work, Selenski said.

He also wants to see the greater Bangor community use the church as an activity hub and an alternative for youths and adults to congregate instead of going to bars or hanging out in the streets.

"We looked around and saw the experiences of other churches and found we were just rotating sheep around, not reaching the 50 percent of the population who are un-churched or under-churched," the pastor said. "That's the niche we're trying to fill rather than going after the people who already go to church. We're trying to reach the 20-to-35-year-olds who gave up church or want to come back."

A tour of the new facility showcases the attention to details that provides instant comfort in a nonthreatening atmosphere meant to welcome those who have never attended church or those long separated from their faith.

Overstuffed chairs, a woven basket brimming with home-made treats and a three-dimensional tree in the corner of the children's area encourage the visitor to stop, stay awhile and enjoy the many services and activities LifeWay offers.

A BIT DIFFERENT
In addition to the Christ-centered worship and praise, Bible teachings and weekly Sunday services, the church will open the Blue Moose Café starting Friday, Nov. 6, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The community coffee shop and snack bar features cozy tables and chairs for quiet conversations, and it has WiFi capabilities for those who bring in laptop computers.

Visitors can also use the PC already set up at the free computer stations or watch one of the many video presentations including short teaching programs and musical performances on three wide-screen televisions.

There will be board games going on, beginner and advanced Bible study, a fitness room and a recreational area with a ping-pong table and more. Some evenings will be set aside for outside entertainment such as concerts and live theater, dinners, movie night, banquets and community events.

Selenski hopes LifeWay will become the model for other communities where services, programs and activities are available to everyone from all levels of income, education and life experience.

Weekly services will be held in what could be described as the sanctuary with clear views of the three giant TV screens as well as the musical stage.

"We see this as an opportunity to really be a part of the community, not necessarily for religious services, but to be a positive influence in the community," Selenski said.

The LifeWay slogan best describes what awaits its guests: 'church, a little bit different.'

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com

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