Learn > FAQ
You’ve probably got a lot of questions. While it would be really cool for you to ask us in person, shoot us an email or give us call, we’re willing to accept the fact that you’ve navigated to a page called “FAQ” for a reason. So, by the power of mind control or the power of Grayskull or the power of complete guesstimation, we’ve assembled a list of your questions and, subsequently, a list of our answers.
We realize that our answers may not be sufficient or may be downright confusing, so, that’s the point where you are free to engage in the aforementioned options: ask us in person, shoot us an email or give us a call. In fact, if you really get desperate, we will also gladly accept smoke signals and morse code, because we roll diverse like that.
GENERAL INFO
1. What’s with the weird name Eikon?
2. What’s your denomination?
3. Do I need to become a member of Eikon?
4. What kind of people are a part of the Eikon community?
5. How did Eikon start?
BELIEFS
1. So, what exactly do you guys believe?
2. Somebody told me you guys were one of those Emergent churches. Is that true?
3. I’ve heard people talk about “salvation gospel” vs. “social gospel”. Which one are you guys?
4. What, ultimately, are you trying to do with Eikon?
5. Are you really sure Tupac is dead?
GATHERINGS
1. Where and when do you meet?
2. Is anything weird going to happen during your worship gatherings?
3. I’ve got kids. They like to run around, break things and cause general chaos. Do you have anything for them to do or something of which they can be a part?
4. I’ve got kids. They never run around, break things or cause general chaos. What about them?
5. What’s the best way to get connected to others?
LEADERSHIP
1. Who are the leaders at Eikon?
2. I’m a woman. Can I lead?
3. I get nervous around any grown man who wears Birkenstock sandals year-round. We hear that Ryan guy does that very thing. What’s his deal?
4. How can I get involved with leadership?
5. Say we wanted to lavish your leaders with expensive gifts. What, precisely, should we get?
GENERAL INFO
1. What’s with the weird name Eikon?
You think our name’s weird? Our feelings are hurt. But since you asked, we realize Eikon isn’t the most “orthodox” of names. So, we decided to tell you about our weird name. You can read about by check out our LEARN page.
2. What’s your denomination?
Eikon isn’t explicitly connected to any denomination. The common term for this is “non-denominational.” We’re not too concerned with what people want to call us. You can actually make up a word for us if you want. We’ll look at you funny, but you’re still more than welcome.
3. Do I need to become a member of Eikon?
Well, no…because we don’t exactly have membership. We just don’t think being a part of a faith community should be the same as getting your name on the roster at the local country club. We will, soon enough, have some other options for people who want to commit to this community. We’re still determining exactly how these things will shape up, so check back soon for more information.
4. What kind of people are a part of the Eikon community?
Cool people. Oh wait, no, there’s that one nerdy guy and that one really, really uber-cool girl. Actually, this is a hard question to answer here. You kind of have to come just check it out for yourself.
We’re a community of a lot of very different people who are all connected through a common bond of engaging in an ongoing conversation that explores what it means to follow in the way of Jesus. We haven’t figured it out yet, but we’re on our way. We could certainly use your voice and point-of-view.
5. How did Eikon start?
Trust us, you’ll appreciate the condensed version (don’t worry, though, if you want the long version, Ryan will be happy to draw it out to its absolute longest, most gratuitous form). In 2007, Ryan and Christen Byrd decided Little Rock needed a new community of faith. So, in the fall of that year, they packed up everything they owned and left Paducah, Kentucky to come to Little Rock. After about a year and a half of planning and praying, they began to connect with people in the city who felt compelled to join in on the journey. Throughout 2009 and up until this point, things have been falling in place and we’ve had a number of people get on board. The story’s just beginning, so it’s a great time to join with us.
BELIEFS
1. So, what exactly do you guys believe?
We believe a lot of things. Here’s just a few:
- We believe that Tupac is actually dead.
- We believe that Lisa Frank is the most under-appreciated artist of the 20th century.
- We believe that Slinky is, in fact, fun for a girl and boy.
Beyond those things, we believe in Jesus. From that belief, a lot of things flow. If you want to know more about that, we recommend a couple things: check out our Guiding Theologies page or come hang out with us at one of our worship gatherings to engage in our ongoing conversation.
2. Somebody told me you guys were one of those Emergent churches. Is that true?
Well, we’re not much for labels. We don’t have any “official” ties to Emergent Village, but our leadership is certainly friends of Emergent. We’re also friends to a lot of people and a lot of groups. We think that’s the beauty of Eikon. We like to engage in a broad dialogue that values varying points-of-view, some of which we agree, some of which we do not.
3. I’ve heard people talk about “salvation gospel” vs. “social gospel”. Which one are you guys?
Both? Neither? We actually don’t think these things are two wholly different things. We believe that sharing the gospel—the Good News—with people means meeting both spiritual and physical needs. Jesus didn’t approach hungry people and just say “God bless you” and move on. Jesus fed the person. Jesus healed people’s brokenness. Jesus mets people’s needs. At Eikon, we take Matthew 25 pretty seriously. We hope to partner with God in restoring both the physical and the spiritual—which are intrinsically connected.
4. What, ultimately, are you trying to do with Eikon?
We’re hoping to do a lot of things. We have big plans. But, for a more condensed and palpable explanation, you can go check out our MISSION page.
5. Are you really sure Tupac is dead?
Despite the fact that he’s released 37 albums and been spotted 54 times since his death, we are absolutely convinced. Now, Elvis is a whole different story…
GATHERINGS
1. Where and when do you meet?
We meet all over the place: in coffee houses, bars, book stores, restaurants, offices, living rooms and libraries (yes, we even allow book nerds…). We value a community in which a singular meeting place or time isn’t the core focus of our expression of faith.
What you may be wanting to know more specifically, though, is where and when we meet on Sundays. Well, we plan on doing that very, very soon. When we lock in on a weekly worship space, you’ll be the first to know. Right now, though, as the church is just beginning to develop, we have monthly gatherings that consist of anything from informational meetings, worship times, cookouts or just getting drinks and having conversations. Be sure to check out our SUNDAYS page and our CALENDAR for more details about opportunities to connect and learn a little more about Eikon.
2. Is anything weird going to happen during your worship gatherings?
Well, one person’s weird is another person’s normal. We’re going to assume that you mean “weird” as uncomfortable or awkward and working from that assumption, our answer is officially, “no.” Our goal with our worship gatherings is to create a space to engage with God and others. We do that through music and prayer and art and conversation, among other things. It’s nothing too weird, unless you count that big, hairy guy Ryan as weird. You can read more about this on our SUNDAYS page.
3. I’ve got kids. They like to run around, break things and cause general chaos. Do you have anything for them to do or something of which they can be a part?
You’re in luck. We like kids—even ones who break things. We will certainly have things that are intended to incorporate your children into our faith community in meaningful and age-appropriate ways. For smaller children, we will have a nursery available and competent workers. Those things will happen once we move to regular, weekly worship gatherings.
In the meantime, we won’t—until further development—have any specific programs for your children. We will, though, on occasion, have gatherings in which free childcare is provided. Keep your eye on our CALENDAR and BLOG to see when these services are available.
4. I’ve got kids. They never run around, break things or cause general chaos. What about them?
Alright, we’re gonna have to call you out on that. Either you have robot children or they have been deprogrammed of their child-break-stuff gene. In the event of having robot children, please let us know. On the Things That are Kinda Awesome list, robots—especially robot children—fall somewhere between ninjas and Snuggies.
5. What’s the best way to get connected to others?
Well, that’s sort of like you asking whether you’ll like the red or the blue pill more and then we arbitrarily give you an answer. It’s hard to say, really. We’ve got a lot of CONNECTing points, so you might want to peruse those pages. Sunday worship gatherings are always a good entry point, but until those get going, our monthly gatherings are designed to connect people not only to the church but to others.
LEADERSHIP
1. Who are the leaders at Eikon?
We’ve got a few and you can read about them and see their beautiful mugs over on the LEADERS page.
2. I’m a woman. Can I lead?
Absolutely! We not only think women are completely equal to men in creation and function (from a Biblical perspective), but we think women offer a great, unique viewpoint that men simply cannot offer. We hope to have a good blend of men and women serving in leadership roles. So, let us know if you’re a female and desire to lead (hopefully we’ll be able to determine—visually—the first part of this sentence…).
3. I get nervous around any grown man who wears Birkenstock sandals year-round. We hear that Ryan guy does that very thing. What’s his deal?
We understand your trepidation. Come rain, shine, sleet or snow, he defies human logic by wearing those goofy sandals. Don’t be alarmed, though. He is actually very docile and occasionally grunts in understandable human tones as a gesture that he would like to engage in civil communication.
4. How can I get involved with leadership?
First, let us say that we are always looking for new leaders who bring new and previously unseen perspectives. If you’d like to get involved, you can either talk to Ryan or one of our leaders or, you can email us at info [at] eikonthechurch [dot] com.
5. Say we wanted to lavish your leaders with expensive gifts. What, precisely, should we get?
We appreciate your generosity. Ryan could always use a pair of the aforementioned Birkenstocks, though he warns that you take into account his freakish shoe size when shopping. As far as the other leaders, they’ll settle for cash—preferably small, unmarked bills.
Actually, if you’d like to lavish us with expensive gifts, we have some other, better ideas. There’s a lot of great charities and organizations that need your time and your money. We personally recommend local organizations such as Our House, CityYear, Union Rescue Mission or Heifer International (and there are many, many more that we just don’t have room to list). We’ve got everything we need. These organizations don’t.
You haven’t answered my question. Are you trying to be elusive or do you just not like me?
Without having met you, it’s difficult and unfair for us to say we don’t like you. Give us at least two 30-minute meetings to determine if we don’t like you. At that point, we’ll erase you from our memory and move along as if no such 30-minute meetings have occurred.
In the event that we still haven’t answered your question, you’re free to utilize the aforementioned communication tactics: ask us in person, shoot us an email or give us a call.