Category: Visiting Churches

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

Reflecting on Church #23: A Church Business Meeting Overshadows the Service

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 17, 2020

Don’t Hold a Church Business Meeting After the 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 #23.

It’s challenging to get members to attend a church business meeting during the week, as it requires an extra trip to church that’s squeezed into an already busy schedule.

So it’s understandable when churches hold business meetings at the end of their service.

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

However, conducting church business as part of a Sunday service often provides an uncomfortable experience for visitors. This church business meeting is no exception.

One member questions the makeup of the pastoral selection committee. Other members, either aroused or emboldened by this first comment, join in to voice their dissent. As emotions rise, so does the tension in the sanctuary.

Just as civility threatens to escalate out of control, a conciliatory remark ends the discussion. Then they approve the committee slate with only minor murmuring.

The leader dismisses us, and my final memory of the church service is the rancor of their business meeting, not their worship of God. In the spirit of expediency, they forgot the purpose of church.

Church Business Meetings on Sunday

It’s a common practice at many churches to conduct church business on Sunday at the conclusion of the church service. We do this to our shame.

We forget the Old Testament commands to keep the Sabbath holy (which today’s church now views as Sunday) and not do any work. By my account, holding a church business meeting on Sunday violates both of these commands.

Jesus, however, came to fulfill the Old Testament Law and prophecies. That means these two Old Testament commands may no longer apply.

In this way, some may now feel the freedom to work on Sunday and not regard it as holy. In doing so they freely conduct church business after a church service.

Even so, tacking a business meeting onto a church service removes us from a worshipful connection with God and replaces it with an often-contentious connection to worldly concerns.

We must save our church meetings for during the week and not detract from our Sunday experience.

[See my reflections about Church #22 and Church #24 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.

Tags 52 Churches, church services, holy, reflecting on church, work, worship

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #22: Affirming One Another

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 10, 2020

A Public Sharing Time

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 #22.

During the public sharing time that wrapped up the message at church, one of the members stands up to celebrate a person I know.

Several decades ago my friend made a lasting impact on this person while she taught Sunday school.

Affirmed as offering acceptance, giving understanding, and providing much needed guidance, my friend forever changed this person’s life. I’m not at all surprised to hear this.

A few months later, at church #52, I see my friend and share this with her. Her eyes mist over with joy. Her lip trembles.

Then my eyes grow misty as well. “And this is nothing,” I assure her. “When we get to heaven, we’re going to hear all kinds of stories like this.”

She nods and smiles in acknowledgment.

This is what affirming one another is like. One woman publicly affirmed my friend. Later I was able to affirm my friend, offering her encouragement.

This is how church should be and what church family is all about. Among other things, we should excel in affirming one another.

[See my reflections about Church #21 and Church #23 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, community, love, reflecting on church

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #21: A Unique Church Service

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 3, 2020

Sounding the Shofar at 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 #21.

Of all the 52 churches we visited, this one deviated the most from current church practices. It was a unique church service and a memorable one too.

They used a shofar to start the service. It was loud, awe-inspiring, and a worshipful opening to our time together.

The teaching included interaction, so that true dialogue could take place between the minister and those of us gathered. This allowed for discussion, as well as being able to ask questions.

At the conclusion of the message, we spent time truly worshiping in God’s presence. And afterward we enjoyed extended community.

We had a most memorable time there. God was present. We worshiped him in Spirit and in truth. And we connected with each other after the service.

I suspect this version of church is more in line with what the early church practiced when they met together, spurring each other on and encouraging one another (see Hebrews 10:24-25).

This faith community had a unique church service, which is sad, because it should be the norm at every church, every Sunday.

[See my reflections about Church #20 and Church #22 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, church services, early church, good teacher, reflecting on church, worship

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #20: Worship God in Any Language

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 27, 2020

Embracing a Service in Mandarin

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 #20.

Although I’m uncomfortable in situations where language differences make conversation hard, if not impossible, something about this church draws me. Despite not knowing Mandarin, I want to return.

My language limitation did not limit my worship of God. He was present and his presence enthralled me.

Experiencing the singing in Mandarin provided a time of deep worship. I wonder if this is unique to Mandarin or this congregation—or if perhaps hearing God worshiped in any language would affect me the same way.

If I do return, I’ll first ask friends to pray that I’ll be able to supernaturally understand the message.

It seems like a big, bold request to make, but God can do that, of this I’m confident. And if he doesn’t, it will still be a wonderful time because our focus will be on him regardless of the language we use.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can worship God despite the language or language barriers. Even if we don’t understand the words, we can still connect with the Almighty in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23).

[See my reflections about Church #19 and Church #21 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, church services, good music, reflecting on church, supernatural, worship

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #19: Having God’s Perspective

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 20, 2020

Small Churches versus Bigger Churches

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 #19.

We’ve visited many small churches on our journey. Except for this one, all these tiny congregations desperately desired to grow numerically. But is this God’s perspective?

Increasing the number of people in a church is partly for survival, since a church needs to maintain a core base of people to function and pay their bills. However, striving to be larger also buys into society’s unshakable conviction that bigger is better.

Yet evaluating the significance of a church based on their size is man’s perspective. Whereas God’s perspective judges success by a different standard.

I suspect that from God’s point of view, it’s not numeric size that matters. Instead a kingdom focus—one that values unity and spiritual depth—is more important.

This pastor is one man who truly understands this. His focus is on growing the kingdom of God, not the size of his congregation. His view is so refreshing.

He wants to help all of Jesus’ church, not just one branch. We need more ministers like this and more churches with this perspective.

[See my reflections about Church #18 and Church #20 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, church attendance, kingdom of God, minister, reflecting on church

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #18: More Liturgy, More Struggles

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 13, 2020

Liturgical 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 #18.

We’ve now been to three churches with liturgical services (Church #5, 17, and 18), two of them Roman Catholic. I’ve struggled with the liturgy at all three.

I’m quite sure God is present, but we don’t connect. I could blame the church, the priest, or their tradition, but it’s no one’s fault but my own.

I appreciate that others are drawn to the tradition and find comfort in the ritual. I’m glad for them, but the rhythm of this practice evades me. I’m yet to find spiritual significance in liturgical services, but I’m willing to continue working at it.

Another struggle, a more critical concern is that the people arrive silently, worship subtly, and exit quickly. Without interaction, connection, or community, I leave feeling alone and isolated.

The ritual and rhythm of Catholic practices intrigue me, but the impersonal nature of their gathering discourages me.

God, may I learn how to connect with you in all settings and circumstances, including liturgical services. May my worship be sincere and true, regardless of the style of church service.

[See my reflections about Church #17 and Church #19 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, liturgy, reflecting on church, Roman Catholic, worship

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #17: Learning to Embrace Liturgy

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 6, 2020
2 Comments on Reflecting on Church #17: Learning to Embrace Liturgy

A High Church Experience

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 #17.

This high church experience gave me much to contemplate about worshiping God in a more formal, liturgical manner.

In contrast, most all of my church experiences have not been high church experiences, but low church, with little liturgy.

Although he was addressing prayer, I recall Jesus’ warning against “vain repetition” (Matthew 6:7 KJV).

Part of me rebels against this churches rote practices. The liturgy, the solemn ritual, and the prescribed responses all fit my understanding of “vain repetition.”

I want nothing to do with a routine, mechanical connection to God. I desire a Spirit-led directness: organic, passionate, and real.

Yet at the same time, there’s a certain rhythm to grasp—and to embrace.

Though allure of liturgy eludes me right now, I want to pursue it, not as a regular spiritual practice but as a refreshing break from my normal non-liturgical connection with God.

Liturgy can expand my relationship to God, my connection, if only I can learn how to comprehend it. This is something I need to push through and explore further so that one day I can embrace it more fully.

[See my reflections about Church #16 and Church #18 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, liturgy, reflecting on church, worship

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #16: If Only They Were a Friendly Church

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 30, 2020

Interaction With Others at 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 #16.

There were so many things this church did right, so many things I liked about it. Yet one problem overshadowed all of that. They were not a friendly church.

Aside from interacting with another couple (who were also visitors), one greeter, and the two pastors, no one else of the hundreds of people present talked to us.

There was no interaction before the service, nothing during the service, and none after the service ended.

I couldn’t even make eye contact with anyone to show I was open for conversation.

Afterward I scanned the auditorium for someone who looked approachable, but I couldn’t find anybody. They just looked past me or perhaps through me as if I wasn’t there.

Most people just left, as if they’d watched a movie and it was time to go home. For those who did tarry, they focused on their friends, ignoring all others.

For all its positive elements, this church was unfriendly. I left feeling isolated and alone. They were not a friendly church. There is no call to return.

[See my reflections about Church #15 and Church #17 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, friendly church, reflecting on church

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #15: Moving Towards Unity and Acceptance

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 23, 2020
2 Comments on Reflecting on Church #15: Moving Towards Unity and Acceptance

Let’s Strive to Get Along

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 #15.

This United Methodist Church is an outlier congregation, quite unlike the others from their denomination that we have visited. Though we enjoyed them all, this one stands out.

My happy memory of attending this church lingers. They promote unity and acceptance.

I want to return. In only a few of the 52 churches did I feel the active presence of the Holy Spirit. But in this one, I did. And he draws me back.

A Guide for Unity and Acceptance

I was surprised to learn there’s a charismatic element within the United Methodist Church.

Their denomination is intentional about everyone, both churches and their leaders, accepting one another despite differing views on the role and function of the Holy Spirit.

They seek mutual acceptance and shun division.

I wish all churches would adopt this attitude. The Methodist Church has even written a helpful document to offer a healthy and holistic approach to the function of the Holy Spirit and the Charismatic stream of Christianity.

It is Guidelines: The United Methodist Church and the Charismatic Movement.

It’s a great example to follow. Let’s do so.

[See my reflections about Church #14 and Church #16 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, reflecting on church, unity

Visiting Churches

Reflecting on Church #14: A Theology That Divides Jesus’s Church

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 16, 2020

Speaking in Tongues–or Not

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 #14.

My experience at this church is an enigma.

On one side, their friendliness embraced me. Their service was energetic and appealing. I wanted more.

On the other side, their theological stance that speaking in tongues is a required sign to validate a true salvation experience, communicates that I didn’t belong. It serves to push me away. They have a theology that divides.

Their doctrine makes a distinction that places much of Christianity on the outside. Instead of dividing Jesus’ church with declarations he didn’t proclaim, let’s accept our differing opinions and embrace one another.

Today our church excels in making distinctions over matters that are trivial compared to the centrality of following Jesus and being his disciples. This divides the church of Jesus.

These disagreements are the reason why we have 42,000 Protestant denominations in existence today.

Instead of having a theology that divides, Jesus prayed that we would be one, that we would live in unity to best point people to his Father (John 17:21-22).

The early church functioned with one heart and mind, just as Jesus prayed. Their actions were consistent with his request that they would be one then, just as we would be one today. Jesus prayed it, and the early church did it.

Why can’t we do that too?

Unity describes what everyone of us should pursue and how every church should behave. Jesus yearns for us to be united. But over the centuries Jesus’s followers in his church have done a poor job living in unity, as one.

Instead we embrace a theology that divides the church of Jesus. Shame on us.

[See my reflections about Church #13 and Church #15 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.

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

Tags 52 Churches, reflecting on church, unity