A Megachurch (Visiting Church #51) I’ve heard much about this church, likely the largest in the area, and am guarded over having too high of expectations. It’s an adventure just getting inside, with a policeman directing traffic and a parking lot...
Saturday Mass (Visiting Church #50) We park a block from church. As we hike to where we hope the entrance is, we engage in conversation with a woman, seeming to make a good connection. I consider asking if we can sit with her, so we may follow...
Great Teaching, But Something’s Wrong (Visiting Church #49) With hundreds of people milling about, it’s a packed place. Just inside the door, a man approaches. “Have I met you before?” We assure him he hasn’t but he thinks he should know us...
How Does the Story End? (Visiting Church #48) Today’s destination is next door to last week’s; they even share a common drive. We enter, sign the guest book, and head towards the music. Standing just outside the sanctuary, Candy sees an...
Three Noteworthy Things About Church (Visiting Church #47) Three significant actions stand out from church today: One: “Let me tell you what to expect in our service.” A lady takes time to explain their worship style and reveals they take...
A Great Sermon (Visiting Church #46) I struggle through the first half of the service. I can’t identify what’s wrong. Despite their efforts at excellence, something turns me off. Now is the minister’s turn. An affable man, with combed-back hair...
Breakfast and a Doubleheader (Visiting Church #45) Today is a doubleheader: a traditional service followed by a contemporary one. Aside from an older crowd, there’s little to suggest a traditional service is about to occur. Everything gives off a...
A Familiar Place (Visiting Church #44) We’ve discussed whether we should visit today’s church because we went there fifteen years ago. Although they have a different pastor now, we know many of the people, some from our prior involvement and some...
Anticipating a New Minister (Visiting Church #43) We walk into the church and receive an engaging welcome, as two greeters celebrate our presence. “If you’d only come in a couple weeks,” they playfully jest, “you’d be able to meet our new...
An Off Sunday (Visiting Church #42) As I blog about the churches we visit, I desire to focus on the positive. While each congregation has their good points and their weak areas, my goal in my posts is to share their more encouraging moments, to...
