Raymond

Garrett Raymond
Ms. Hamby
UWRT 1101 #19
15 October 2014
Elevation On the Rise
A discourse community is a group of people who share a set of basic values,
assumptions, and ways of communicating about those goals. There are many discourse
communities out there all around us. Some we know others we give no attention to. Some
are large others only a couple members. Through my observations and analyzing of
various writings I decided to pick a discourse community that is very large but many
people dont know much about it. I choose the religious community of Elevation. A
community that believes in sharing Gods message and making people feel belonged in
the world.
Elevation in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a Southern Baptist multi-site church
pastored by Steven Furtick. Its one of fastest growing churches in the United States and it
can be describe as an a pop culture-friendly church with an orthodox Christen message.
The elevation community aggressively reaches out to people who are far from God. They
are not traditional like other churches but still believe in and maintain a conservative
theological position. Elevations many beliefs include the bible, which is Gods word to
all people, the trinity is that God exists as one substance in three persons: The father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit, and finally believe in Eternal life after death and the salvation of
all men. Their Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in
Christ. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of

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glorifying Christ. They believe having values helps them develop a unified sense of
commitment in seeing people far from god raised to life in Christ. So they made a tenstep code of values so that they can keep the vision clear. 1. Jesus is center, 2. Believe big
and start small, 3. Honor one another to glorify God, 4. Contributors, not consumers, 5.
Think inside the box, 6. You can learn more by doing less, 7. Dont maintain, multiply, 8.
Eat the fish and leave the bones, 9. Want to be known for what they are for, and finally
10. Wont take anything for granted. This is a group that meets weekly and wants to
accomplish good in the world.
Methodology
Near my house is the religious community of Elevation. With a couple locations
the community people always seems to be everywhere I go. I always wondered what
elevation was and why so many people follow them so I decided to observe it to gain a
better understanding. I started by looking up on their website to understand what they are
all about. I found out that they have many codes and values that they follow. Being
catholic I understood most ideas and believed some as well. After researching all I could
on the web I decided to go to elevation to understand the people and why love their
community so much. Luckily my cousin is part of the community so I wasnt completely
lost going there. He showed me to all his friends of elevation and also showed me a
church service. His friends were all very nice and had a strong faith in what they believed
in. They loved sharing their thoughts and reasons on why their community was so great.
Everything single person I talked had a long back-story to why they joined Elevation.
They normally included all the religious trials they had to go through in their life to
understand why they needed Elevation in their life. Some of the stories were really good

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others not so much. After talking to my cousins friends we attended the service for the
day. Tons of people started pour in the Elevation building since it was about to start and I
had no idea how so many people could fit in one building. As the service started I was
confused and didnt know what to do at all. Being raised catholic and attending mass
every Sunday I never experienced anything like it before or expected it. It was just like a
rock concert in the beginning. They had a band that played a few long Christian rock
songs and every one in the crowd was putting their hands in the air. After all that
excitement a preacher came out and every one cheered him. He was like a movie star in
the place and everyone turned quiet as soon as he started talking. He preached for a hour
which I didnt care so much for but all the people seem to love it. Most took notes and
others put their hands in the air to feel the lords presence. Finally the service ended and I
was just confused. My cousin tried to explain everything to me but I was raised catholic
so it seemed to weird that they do it all that. After the service people kept asking me how
was my first time and wondered if I was thinking about joining their community. I
politely turned them down saying I already have my own faith. When I got home I wrote
down everything I experienced.
To gain more detail about Elevation I decided to interview my cousin who has
been part of the community for over a year now. He gladly accepted the interview since
we are family. To find out more about Elevation I have to ask someone whom I trust and
who better then my cousin that I knew for my whole life. I got my questions together and
started the interview. I asked him how does he like Elevation? He responded by saying it
was the best thing he has ever done in his life. He loves every minute of it and volunteers
on the weekly basis. He said he used to be lost and didnt know what to do in his life but

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elevation turned his life around and know he says he finally on the right track. Without
Elevation he told me that he would still be afraid of the world. Next I asked him was
what was one thing you gained from being in the Elevation community? He said he
gained courage and confidence. He has finally gained the courage to find a job again and
go out and enjoy life. He was so glad he didnt feel like he had to hide in house anymore
away from the world. I asked what was the goal of Elevation? He responded by saying
people far from God can be raised to life in Christ and on a smaller goal a place were
everyone is welcome. He told me people could feel at ease in Elevation. I was wondering
how many people were apart of the society and he could only answer by saying a lot. He
told more there were thousands of people who belonged to the community with their
locations being in North and South Carolina and one in Canada. I asked him how does he
communicate with his group? He told me by his volunteer team were he talks to his
friends and the people of the community. He told me he leads a group so hes able to
communicate that way by putting his message across. Normally told me they
communicate through email, text messages, phone calls, and the social media. My last
question to him was would he recommend Elevation to anyone? He told me he
recommends it to anyone who doesnt have a faith already. He tells me it will change
your life forever.
Analysis
Through talking, writings and researching I was able to learn more about the
people of the community and what they are like. The people who belong to Elevation are
normally very nice and love talking about their beliefs. Many people but not all are very
pushy in their faith and want you to believe in the same thing as they do. I already have

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my own faith that I raised with so I find it very annoying that they try to change my
beliefs. Other then that they are normally great people and love to do normal activities
you would regularly enjoy. They dress how they want, except they normally are a little
more formal for their church service. They meet weekly, discussing about god and how to
improve your life. They make groups where they meet weekly as well. They can be
almost anything but normally they are just help groups to make your faith stronger. They
talk normal and have the same attitude as a normal person would. They get together as
big groups normally to hang out, watch movies and etc. The people who belong to the
same church pretty much all knew each other and will always start conversation up with
another. They communicate through text messages, phone calls, email, social media and
groups. Its a very friendly, loving group of people who are part of the Elevation
community.
The Elevation building itself is not like normal church buildings but more like an
office building. Inside it has a store, meeting rooms, daycare, and a concert hall, which I
find kind of weird but it works with the church. Their service is different but it gets the
point across leaving the people satisfied coming back for more. Their music is great and I
wish my catholic church could play it more like them but its more traditional. You have
to arrive early for the services or you wont be able to get a seat in the concert hall and
you have to sit outside. Overall Elevation is a place were it helps the people and brings
them closer to God.
Through all my observations and data I realize Elevation is a place were you will
be happy and be able to worship freely without judgment. I believe Elevation is
community that will keep growing and eventually reach all across the country. Elevation

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will strengthen your love for God and also make you thrive. Society can take Elevation as
an example on how to live a good loving life. Through elevation you will share Gods
messages and feel belonged as you do it.