Nice But… as a Guest I Just Blended in the Crowd

I heard so many great things about your church. I have driven by your church several times, and I was amazed at your community impact. Before attending, I went online to get a better feel for church life. From your website, I knew about the happenings and the various groups in the church. I could also tell there is a high level of engagement with the community and global mission fronts.

Upon arriving, signage told me to alert parking attendants of my arrival. I did my best, but the attendants were focused on the task. It didn’t matter that I was visiting, it mattered that my car was parked timely. Even after being directed away from guest parking, for the full experience I parked in the first time guest spot. I walked in the building and was greeted by fellow churchgoers. They shook my hand, and I took my seat.

Worship began shortly after taking my seat. The live band and worship team helped me enter into the presence of the Lord. I was familiar with some songs, but the screens helped me with unfamiliar lyrics. After worship, the announcements were made, and I could see the active work of the church in the community and missions. It was obvious how to give financially and where the funds were going. After the announcements came the word.

I would like to commend your church for being Bible teaching. So many times, we go to church, and the text is not the focus of the message. Your pastor did an amazing job of keeping the inerrant word of God central to the message. I felt like I was in a scholarly academic class, but your pastor broke the information down to my understanding.

On entrance to the service I received a card that contained details regarding upcoming church events. On the flip side of the card, was a Bible passage with room for me to take notes. We read the passage together out loud. The pastor encouraged the entire congregation to commit the verses to memory. What seemed like such a simple activity allowed each of us to collectively hear our Father’s inspired word. During the spoken word the pastor displayed a map on the screen, and each of us were able to travel with Paul during his missionary journey.

I left wanting to know more about Christ. I left wanting to know more about the Gospel. I left full of the Word. But one thing that I came for I did not receive. I came for the community. I wanted to connect with a body of like-minded individuals. I made myself available, but no one connected with me.

Visit two was to a Baptist mid-size church with a newer building, located near communities and businesses