Category: Visiting Churches

My wife and I visited 52 churches in a year. Then we attended a bunch more. Here is what we learned.

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Visiting Churches

A Caring Church: It Only Hurts When You Care

a caring church, church #3

Discussing Church 3

The third church is more established like Church #1 but more midsized like Church #2. It is a caring church.

The 52 Churches Workbook, by Peter DeHaan

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #3:

1. Many pages on their website are “under construction” or “coming soon.” The sections for members have information, while the pages for visitors are incomplete.

What can you do to keep your website up-to-date and relevant for visitors?

2. Finding the church is a person’s first challenge. Knowing which door to enter is next. This facility has several doors, all unmarked. We don’t know which one to use.

How can you better guide people to the correct entrance?

3. These folks dress up for church. I don’t. My appearance doesn’t bother me, but it might be a problem for others—both visitors and members.

Will visitors who dress differently feel comfortable at your church or out of place?

4. As we walk in, a friend spots me. She says, “This won’t be a typical service.” One of their members died by suicide. The service will address their loss.

If your service will have unexpected content or be difficult to deal with, what can you do to alert guests to help them avoid unpleasant surprises?

A caring church makes the difference when dealing with difficult situations. This church exemplifies this well.

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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

Growing Deeper, Not Wider

grow deeper

Discussing Church 2

The church is three years old and meets in a strip mall. Their goal is to “grow deeper, not wider.” Everything about this church is the opposite of last week.

The 52 Churches Workbook, by Peter DeHaan

Consider these four church discussion questions for Church #2:

1. I park near the door. I later realize they leave the prime spaces for guests, with the regulars parking further away.

When you arrive at church, where do you park and why?

2. Scores of people mill about, all engaged in conversation. We mosey in, giving time for someone to notice us. No one does. We sit and squirm in silence.

Who do you talk to before church: friends, regulars you don’t know well, or visitors? Why? What needs to change?

3. Despite singing and hearing a message, most of the service relates to church business.

How can you address church business and still make it meaningful for new people? Should Sunday mornings have an external focus, saving internal discussions for a different time?

4. Although they ignored us after we walked in, the overall atmosphere and service was much more welcoming than last week. I want to come back.

What can you do to make it easy for people to engage in your service and want to return?

Grow Deeper

I applaud this church for their desire to grow deeper. From what I can tell, they’re doing a fantastic job. And in the process, they are growing numerically as well.

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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 Friendly Church with a Homey Feel

Discussing Church 1

The church has no online presence, as well as an uninviting exterior. But the people inside are friendly, and we feel at home—mostly. But overall, they are a friendly church.

The 52 Churches Workbook, by Peter DeHaan

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #1:

1. An unwieldy wheelchair ramp tacked onto the front of the building desperately needs painting. We bypass the ramp, but it remains our focal point and forms our first impression.

What changes should you make to give your church better curb appeal and offer a better first impression?

2. A man lacking in social skills, with possible mental issues, corners us when we arrive. We can’t escape his plodding monologue.

What can you do to protect visitors from regular attendees who may repel or scare them away?

3. There are only seventeen people present. With a smirk, the minister asks first-time visitors to raise their hands. I want to disappear.

What practices should you stop so that people won’t squirm?

4. After the service, everyone lingers to chat. Many thank us for visiting and invite us to come again, but they aren’t pushy.

What can you do to help a person’s first visit not be their last?

This was a friendly church and that goes along way to overcoming their shortcomings, which every church has.

[See the prior set of questions or the next set.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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

Church Discussion Questions from 52 Churches

Discussing Church Visits

I’m preparing to go to Church #1. The enemy harasses me. I don’t want to go. I now understand why the non-regular church attender can so easily stay home despite their best intentions.

The living room recliner and television remote are much more inviting and much less threatening.

The 52 Churches Workbook, by Peter DeHaan

Consider these two church discussion questions:

1. Welcoming visitors starts before they arrive.

What can you do to make it easy for them to show up?

2. A personal invitation is the most effective way to encourage people to visit your church.

What specific things can you do to invite people to visit?

[See the next set of questions.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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 #52: Misrepresented Services

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

faith grows..

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

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

worthy leader

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

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

Worship 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.