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Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #52: Misrepresented Services

Don’t Misrepresent Your Church Service

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #52.

This church offers two services. They call the first one blended, combining traditional and contemporary elements, whereas the second one is promoted as contemporary.

Both are mislabeled. The church has two misrepresented services.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

Church #4 successfully combined traditional and contemporary elements into their service.

Though this church makes the same claim for their first service, it comes off more as a traditional service with a contemporary element awkwardly tacked on the end. For me it was too little, too late.

I also found their second service mislabeled. It was less contemporary and more so “safe.” A friend who attends this church flinched at my description of safe. She also knew I was right.

I suspect what we saw was not so much an effort to provide a contemporary service, but an effort to connect with unchurched visitors while not offending members clinging to the past.

To be correct, they need to either relabel their two services—calling the first one traditional and the second one blended, would be more accurate—or they need to do a major overhaul of each.

Change is in order, with the first option likely appeasing members, whereas the second option would be more effective at connecting with the unchurched.

[See my reflections about Church #51 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

Come Back Twelve Times and See How Your Faith Grows: Reflecting on Church #51

Visiting Church One Time Isn’t Enough

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #51.

This mega church does so many things right. Though I don’t want to go to a large church, this one really draws me. Of all the churches we’ve visited, this one appeals to me far more than any other.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

If I were searching for a new church to attend, I’d give this one serious consideration.

This church also has a Sunday evening meeting, which allows for more intentional connections, as well as small groups. These two options offer to counteract my reluctance to go to a large church.

However, I won’t come back twelve times to see how my faith grows, as our tour guide suggested. If I did, I’m sure I’d just keep coming, having formed a comfortable habit after three months.

This would be an easy church for me to slide into. I’d feel comfortable, and surely my faith would grow. But I know that with so many people who attend this church it would be hard to consistently see the same people each week.

That would make it hard to form friendships, even if my faith grows.

[See my reflections about Church #50 and Church #52 or start with Church #1.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #50: Best in Class

Should Your Church be Best in Class?

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #50.

This church holds five services each weekend, and we attended the first one. I was disappointed over the lack of college students present, despite its proximity to campus.

I doubt many students would attend the two Sunday morning services either, but I wonder about the two Sunday evening ones.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

I suspect a different demographic shows up then. Maybe I’ll make a return visit but on a Sunday evening, hoping to meet some college students. Would those services be different or are all five the same?

Of the three Roman Catholic churches we attended, this one interests me the most. The people were more friendly, the structure less formal, and the message more accessible than my other two experiences.

To me they represent the best in class for their stream on Christianity.

Even so, they still have a way to go to match some of the more engaging Protestant churches we’ve attended.

If I wanted a Catholic experience, this would be my go-to church. Yet I also know a steady diet of it wouldn’t be good for me. It’s a nice place to visit, but finding true community there would be a challenge there.

[See my reflections about Church #49 and Church #51 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

A Worthy Leader: Reflecting on Church #49

Lead Well

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #49.

Out of several hundred people, only one greeted us before the service. His name was John, and we later learned he was the senior pastor.

For an extra-large church, it’s especially commendable for the senior pastor to personally greet people as they arrive. He is a worthy leader.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

A better scenario is for members to welcome visitors and not expect paid staff to solely handle that responsibility. Surely in a church this size, some outgoing people could be recruited to handle this important task.

Even better would be for the people to just do it without being asked.

Leaders should never expect their followers to do something they don’t or won’t do themselves.

I commend John in setting the example for his congregation by being available and greeting visitors. What perplexes me is why we saw no one imitating his example.

Are they unwilling to follow their pastor? He is a worthy leader.

There must be an underlying issue at this church, and it makes me uncomfortable. I fear something is seriously wrong with the overall mindset of this congregation.

[See my reflections about Church #48 and Church #50 or start with Church #1.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #48: A Great Church to Visit

Have a Visitor-Worthy Church

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #48.

This church did many things right, especially the warm way they welcomed my wife and me into their community. Several of their practices were personally inviting and spiritually significant. I enjoyed our fellowship there.

Their meeting felt more relevant than what most churches do at their services. They were a great church to visit.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

However, there’s one thing I can’t get past: everything seemed old. I feel guilty for saying this. Their service had a formal vibe.

Although their style had a novel pull, I realized that with repeated visits it would quickly grate on me for its ceremonial constructs and reserved rigidity.

The congregation was mostly older, with very few young people. Even though many in this church have a youthful spirit—just as I claim to have—I can’t get past their age.

Older congregations have a bleak future. There is no next generation to rise up and continue the journey.

Despite its many positive elements, my concerns overshadow them and keep me from wanting to return. Though it was a great church to visit, once was enough.

[See my reflections about Church #47 and Church #49 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #47: Their Worship Style is Not My Style

There are Different Ways to Worship God

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #47.

The people at this church are considerate of visitors. Their embrace of us, in a casual, open way, encourages me. This, however, belies their worship style. It is a structured, reserved service.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

They are informal with people and formal with God. They are open to others before and after the service but stoic towards the Almighty during their church meeting.

Their personal style and worship style stand in contrast. It’s as if they flick off their friendly switch for the service when it’s time to connect with God.

To me, it’s inconsistent to act one way with people before and after a church service and treat God differently during it. This troubles me. It feels hypocritical, but I wonder if this is my issue.

Having an open embrace of people and of God feels right to me. I want to treat God as I do my friends. It seems honest and is how I best show respect towards God.

However, other people may demonstrate respect for God by embracing him with reverence and in awe. If this is honest for them, then they should do it; my method would be the wrong one.

We can approach God casually, as a friend, and we can approach him reverently, as an all-powerful deity. He deserves both.

It’s a matter of worship style.

[See my reflections about Church #46 and Church #48 or start with Church #1.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #46: Good Preaching Isn’t Enough

Good Preaching is a Start, but it’s Not the End

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #46.

Although the minister won me over with his teaching, his good preaching, the first half of the service remains my primary memory of my time there. Everything they did was tired, mired in decades old practices.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

It might have been contemporary, even progressive in 1980, but now it smacks of days gone by.

The world has changed, but they forgot to keep pace. Worship trends come and go, but they latched onto one and persist in it even though it’s no longer trending and is now just a tired relic of the past.

Perhaps this is why I saw very few young people or children there, which is a sign of a declining church. If they fail to raise up the next generation, this one will be it’s last.

It wasn’t that they started poorly or lacked focus. It was simply a matter of me not connecting with them, and more importantly, they didn’t help me connect with God. They failed to provide community.

I left feeling empty and lonely.

[See my reflections about Church #45 and Church #47 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #45: Same Church—Different Outcome

Comparing Two Church Services

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #45.

This church had two church services. One was traditional and the other contemporary. The two options presented a nice contrast of styles. However, the style of service was not the most important distinction.

The contrast between the attendees was. What we experiences was most disconcerting.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

Although the age difference was the most noticeable, it wasn’t the most significant. The people at the first service were friendly and outgoing, whereas at the second service, they were not.

I felt a connection with the first group but not the second. It was if they merely showed up to put in their time, treating the church as a passive, solitary experience.

I’m not against quiet introspection (assuming that’s what they were doing), but I think worshiping God in the community is a higher intent.

Outcomes of Two Church Services

I liked the style of the second service best, but I liked the people at the first service more. They had two church services with different outcomes.

It’s too bad I couldn’t experience both at the same time.

[See my reflections about Church #44 and Church #46 or start with Church #1.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #44: Welcoming Visitors as You Would Embrace Longtime Friends

Attending Church with Friends

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #44.

We revisited this church, which we attended some fifteen years ago. Though many of the people we knew then had scattered to other churches or just dropped out, a good number remained.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

I anticipated a time to reconnect with long-ago friends. Also, the congregation had grown, and there was a different minister. I wondered how much has changed.

Before and after the service, we didn’t put forth any effort to talk with anyone. We didn’t have to.

People came to us in droves. They came to embrace us as longtime friends. We enjoyed their celebration of our presence, even though they came close to overwhelming us.

Although some churches embraced us well as visitors, none came close to the welcome this church gave us as longtime friends. This gives me pause.

Do I give visitors the same attention and enthusiasm as I give to my friends? I don’t, but I should.

May we welcome visitors to our church as we would embrace longtime friends.

[See my reflections about Church #43 and Church #45 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #43: Is Your Pastor on a Pedestal?

Celebrate Your Minister

With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #43.

This congregation received us warmly and embraced our presence. They exuded a sense of family, just as true church should be. I felt a peace. I felt at home. As a community, they drew me in.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

Although their service style was not what I’m comfortable with, these are good folks and part of me wants to join them.

However, my key observation was their excitement over their new leader, who will officially arrive in two weeks. The church’s enthusiasm was palpable. It was contagious and soon I joined in their anticipation.

I wanted to come back in a few weeks to meet her.

However, I’m concerned over the height of their anticipation. Surely, no person can live up to that and meet everyone’s wishes. When we put a pastor on a pedestal, we form unrealistic expectations for our spiritual leader.

As with all people, inevitably our ministers will one day disappoint us. And the higher the pedestal, the greater the disappointment.

I pray that the potential leadership before them will successfully emerge and not be thwarted as the newness of their minister’s arrival wears off.

[See my reflections about Church #42 and Church #44 or start with Church #1.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.