Tag: 52 Churches

Methodists Know How to Cook (Visiting Church #9)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 20, 2019

This Sunday we visit a United Methodist church with two traditional services. We go to the second and I’m expectant for what I will learn.

Two greeters hand out nametags to the regulars; they offer us welcome stickers and we write our names. The nametags are a first in our 52 churches journey, an appreciated gesture.

The sanctuary, with a white décor, is cube-like in shape, seating about 120.

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

Up front is a large, backlit cross. A colorful banner to the right proclaims, “Catch the Spirit.”

The pastor is away and another is filling in for her. There’s also a farewell potluck for their departing organist/pianist. Several people invite us to stay. With an air of pride, they say, “Methodists know how to cook.”

After ceremonial lighting of two candles, a layperson opens the service with a short liturgy, Bible reading, and acknowledgment of the week’s birthdays and anniversaries.

Although most of the eighty or so people present reside in the senior citizen demographic, six kids hear a children’s message from a hand puppet and its partner.

There’s no choir today, but there is a guest soloist. We also sing several hymns, using two different hymnals.

The congregation stands as the minister reads Mark 1:14-20. Her sermon is “Come, Let’s Go Fishing.” She smartly compares fishing for fish with fishing for people, which is what Jesus invited his followers to do.

After the sermon we sing a closing number, the candles are extinguished, and we move to the fellowship hall to eat.

The food is ample and delicious. I eat too much. Sharing a meal is a great way to form a community and get to know people. The potluck did that for us today.

I’m not sure if all Methodists know how to cook, but this congregation sure does.

[Read about Church #8 and Church #10, start at the beginning of our journey, or learn more about Church #9.]

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, community, food, Methodists

Visiting Churches

A Bold Experiment (Visiting Church #8)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 13, 2019

This week we visit another new church, our third one so far (the others are Church #2 and Church #7).

This one is essentially a church reboot, with the intent on offering a more accessible gathering within a traditional, conservative denomination. It’s a bold experiment.

The decor is by far the nicest we’ve encountered. Everything looks new; nothing is worn or dated. I suspect the touch of a professional interior decorator.

There are several inviting sectionals, making the lobby look more like a den than a church.

Beyond it is the sanctuary, which is wide, but not deep. It has padded chairs. These traits are common in all three of the new churches we’ve visited (as opposed to longer, narrower sanctuaries with wooden pews).

This church arranges their chairs in a 180-degree arc; everyone is close to the front and has a good view.

There are ten on the worship team, with half singing and half playing: guitars, drums, and keys.

The opening song is seemingly for entertainment, without words, no one sings along. But soon words appear overhead and the people gladly join in.

Some raise their hands in varying degrees of physical worship.

Plans are underway for Vacation Bible School, held in partnership with other area churches. I appreciate their ecumenical spirit in working together.

The pastor begins a new series on the book of Philippians. He asks, “What does it mean to rejoice?” and then reads chapter one from the NIV Bible. The chapter arc is of Paul in jail, facing almost certain execution—and rejoicing.

After the service a couple introduces themselves. They confirm my understanding of the church’s formation, calling it as “a bold experiment”—one that not everyone at the founding church is enthusiastic with.

As for me, their bold experiment is wildly successful.

[Read about Church #7 and Church #9, start at the beginning of our journey, or learn more about Church #8.]

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

Visiting Churches

The New Church in Town (Visiting Church #7)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 6, 2019

Sunday we visited a newer church. Their website says “multi-generational contemporary worship service”—and it is. They’re also non-denominational “because God has called all believers to unity.” I like that.

We walk in and people are informally mingling; several introduce themselves. Of all the churches we’ve visited so far, this is the most effective at pre-service interaction.

The sanctuary is a simple rectangular room that seats 55, but I only count 24 present. I forget it’s Memorial Day weekend. There are no pews but comfortable chairs instead.

They say attendance is often near capacity and on Easter they maxed out.

Soon they’ll move to a different facility, much nicer and more inviting; it’ll seat 160 and they’re confident they’ll soon fill it.

Three ladies lead us in singing modern praise songs. Instead of instrumentation, they use accompaniment tracks. They don’t have songbooks but display the words on a flat-screen monitor.

The pastor is in week two of a series. Last Sunday was about God’s sovereignty; today is about God’s providence. He boldly delves into some tough questions about these subjects.

Afterwards, he tells me most members are younger in their faith; they’ve come without any church baggage and are eager to learn. Since they don’t know how they’re “supposed” to behave in church, there aren’t any bad habits to overcome.

This explains the informal nature of the service, the socializing beforehand, and their arriving without Bibles. Their eagerness to learn is why he goes deep in his teaching.

Although the church is expanding numerically, their leader is more pleased with their deep spiritual growth.

As is often the case, it’s new churches, and not the established ones, where people discover God and grow into a vibrant faith. Newer is often better.

[Read about Church #6 and Church #8, start at the beginning of our journey, or learn more about Church #7.]

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 baggage, church services, habits

Visiting Churches

A Quintessential Country Church (Visiting Church #6)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 30, 2019
1 Comment on A Quintessential Country Church (Visiting Church #6)

It’s a quintessential country church and our third Baptist congregation in six weeks. With no online presence, what we know is from their sign out front: its name and service time.

The sanctuary is smaller than I expected. One lady greets us warmly and another scurries to fetch us a bulletin. We fill out the visitor card and drop it in the offering plate.

This information must be important; at least two more people will offer us one before the day is over.

With thirty in attendance, it’s surprising that four members have birthdays this week. We sing “Happy Birthday.” Also are four anniversaries.

A few songs into the service is an extended greeting time, followed by prayer requests. There are many mentions of health concerns, some for travels, and a few for jobs.

Sometimes when a group shares prayer requests, the focus is more on the news than on prayer, which I fear is one small step removed from gossip. Not so with this group. They share, confident that prayer will follow.

Afterwards they invite us to stay for refreshments. This is not a quick event but an extended one. More people greet us; we must have met just about everyone.

With broad smiles, each one thanks us for visiting and invites us back to their small country church.

They’re hopeful for our return but not pushy. I really like them but don’t want to give false expectations, so I simply respond, “It was good to be here today.” And it was.

[Read about Church #5 and Church #7, start at the beginning of our journey, or learn more about Church #6.]

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, gossip, prayer

Visiting Churches

Attending Mass (Visiting Church #5)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 23, 2019

When I tell people we’re visiting Christian churches, they often assume Protestant and are surprised our plan includes Catholic gatherings. That’s where we head today, to our first Mass.

The most noticeable difference is an ornate crucifix in the sanctuary. I’m pleased to see many lay people helping lead the service. There’s a nice range of ages present, including children who remain with us the entire time.

I struggle to follow along. There’s many times for the congregation to respond, but we don’t know what to say. Their service is not friendly to the uninitiated.

Music

The lone musical instrument is a keyboard and the keyboardist leads the singing. There’s also a choir. Both the singers and musician are behind us.

Removing our focus from them, makes it less like a performance and more worshipful.

The priest leads us in the Apostle’s Creed. I thought this was a Protestant proclamation, but obviously not.

We also pray the Lord’s Prayer. I’m aware Catholics don’t say the final line that Protestants do, but I almost say it anyway.

Message

The priest begins his Mother’s Day message with a series of anecdotes about moms, segueing into love: reciprocal love, romantic love, and love-your-enemies as exemplified by Jesus.

I wonder how a priest can address the complexities of romantic love, but he does a great job at it.

I also appreciate him mentioning Jesus’s death as a love-your-enemies example.

The message is short, followed by communion, what many refer to as the celebration of the Eucharist. The priest calls it “a memorial service” for Jesus.

We don’t partake, and I attempt to spend this time in quiet contemplation of Jesus’ sacrifice. However, I’m too distracted to do so.

The priest announces Mass is over. The service lasted one hour, and we head home with much to contemplate.

[Read about Church #4 and Church #6, start at the beginning of our journey, or learn more about Church #5.]

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, Apostles' Creed, holiday, Lord’s Prayer, Mass, Mother’s Day, Roman Catholic, seeker sensitive

Visiting Churches

The Right Mix of Music (Visiting Church #4)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 16, 2019

The church is a traditional-looking building, constructed of brick and stately in appearance. In checking out the sanctuary, I anticipate the service will be just as Facebook promised.

It said “a blending of traditional and contemporary.” Will they have the right mix of music?

The service begins with several familiar choruses. A few people lift their hands in praise, though this is limited and low-key. A team of four leads us: the worship leader on guitar, vocalist, keyboard, and the minister on bass.

The drums sit idle. However, they don’t use the piano during the singing, but it is expertly played for the prelude, offertory, and postlude.

After a time of singing, they give several announcements. The church is a busy place and there’s much information to share. A glance at the bulletin reveals activity every day of the week.

They excuse the children and the offering follows, accompanied by an impressive piano performance. At its conclusion, applause breaks forth. I’m a bit uncomfortable with this.

I wonder if we’re worshiping God with our hands or praising an accomplished musician.

The minister is in the second week of a series on the book of first John. Using an expository style—going verse by verse—he guides us through the text, zeroing in on 1 John 2:16, which is the impetus for his sermon title, “Pollution Free.”

We need to guard against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—thereby controlling the pollution in our lives.

We conclude the service singing a well-known hymn.

The way they successfully integrate hymns and choruses into their worship service impresses me. They meld the old and new. Their worship music is both traditional and contemporary. They have the right mix of music.

I enjoyed the experience, and I’m glad we were there.

[Read about Church #3 and Church #5, start at the beginning of our journey, or learn more about Church #4.]

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, traditional service

Visiting Churches

What True Church Should Be (Visiting Church #3)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 9, 2019

“This won’t be a typical service” cautions a friend who greets us when we arrive.

The church suffered a tragedy, just three days before and not all the members yet know. The service will communicate this news and provide some needed God-perspective on the situation.

I appreciate the warning, while wishing our visit could be on a different day. However, I know God has a reason for us to be here today.

The service begins normally enough: Singing a chorus from the hymnal, a choir (something I’ve not seen in years), a few hymns, a time to greet one another, an offering, and a woman’s trio performing a “special music” number.

We know some of the songs, though the rest of the tunes have a vague familiarity.

What True Church Looks Like

The pastor stands to give his message. Until this point his public persona has been warm and inviting, abounding with smiles, and most engaging. Now he’s somber, struggling to release the words that well up in his heart.

Fighting tears, he shares the news bravely, forthright and with honesty. Ladies dab silent tears and stifle sniffles that break the silence. This is a day when we need “to remind ourselves who God is.”

His four-part message is a straightforward progression: 1) we are frail creatures, 2) we need God, 3) he is a faithful God, and 4) there is a future. It’s a message of comfort, abounding in hope. Our response to this tragedy is simple: to pray, weep, and then help.

Based on the pastor’s conduct and the congregation’s response, this close-knit church deeply cares for each other. They celebrate together and mourn together. This is what true community is all about and how church should be. This is true church.

[Read about Church #2 and Church #4, go to the beginning of our journey, or learn more about Church #3.]

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

Visiting Churches

Growing Deeper (Visiting Church #2)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 2, 2019
2 Comments on Growing Deeper (Visiting Church #2)

This Sunday we visit a nondenominational church. It’s three years old and I know a bit about it and its pastor, who I perceive as a mostly postmodern guy possessing a modern theology. I suspect the church will mirror that.

Located in a small strip mall, I find a parking spot near the door. Only afterwards do I realize they leave the prime spaces for visitors. A man greets us warmly and we walk inside. The facility is inviting and accommodating.

There are scores of people milling about. All are engaged in conversation, so we take a seat.

Intended as retail space, the rectangular room is narrow and three to four times as deep.

The focal point is the side of the room, allowing everyone to sit relatively near the action. Smartly decorated walls, give way to two flat-screen displays. A wooden cross stands nearby.

Spiritual Growth is More Important Then Numeric Growth

The place fills up and the service begins. The pastor welcomes everyone and points out the church’s guiding goal is to grow deeper, not wider. This is significant; spiritual growth is more important than numeric growth.

The worship team has two on electric guitar, one on bass, a keyboard, drum kit, and a cello; three musicians also sing. There are no songbooks, with words displayed overhead. I estimate 170 present.

The people are dressed casually; jeans and t-shirts abound while ties and dresses are absent. It’s a younger crowd. The feeling is one of excitement and life.

There is a break in the singing for “connection time,” an informal opportunity to mingle, get a coffee refill, or grab another doughnut. There are many people to talk to.

The pastor is an insightful Bible teacher. After the message, they serve communion. It’s open to all who acknowledge a saving faith in Jesus, so we happily participate, with the bread and juice passed in quick succession.

After a closing prayer, the service ends; there’s no offering. There are more people to talk to. It’s clear no one knows if we’re first-timers and some question if we’re visitors. We could have even been unknowingly talking to other visitors.

We drop off our guest card and head home. Two and a half hours have elapsed. Time passes quickly when in the company of winsome people and an embracing community. This is as church should be.

[Read about Church #1 and Church #3, go to the beginning, or learn more about Church #2.]

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, friendly church, nondenominational, postmodern

Visiting Churches

A Friendly Church with a Homey Feel (Visiting Church #1)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 25, 2019
2 Comments on A Friendly Church with a Homey Feel (Visiting Church #1)

The first of fifty-two churches is a small Baptist-affiliated assembly. With forty or so normally in attendance, this Sunday has only seventeen.

The service is not unlike churches my wife attended in her youth, so she feels comfortable and is familiar with their format even though it now feels quite dated.

The people are friendly and—despite a bit of awkwardness when the pastor asks “first-time visitors” to raise their hands—I feel a contentment, a peace perhaps best attributed to God’s presence.

There’s nothing remarkable about the service—a few old-time hymns with piano accompaniment, sharing prayer requests, an offering, a message, and a low-key alter call—but the people make the difference.

They’re comfortable with each other, liking and accepting one another.

There’s no pretense in their actions or words, just nice folks who are real. It’s like family, good family, albeit an eclectic one.

The hour and a half service is mostly preaching, with reoccurring themes of Jesus, faith, and heaven. Our future in heaven is also a theme of several of the hymns.

Afterwards, the people linger to chat; no one rushes out. Though our stomachs tell us it’s past time to eat, we tarry as well. Many sincerely thank us for visiting and invite us to come again but do so without being pushy.

They’re a friendly church with a homey feel.

[Read about Church #2, go to the beginning of our journey, or learn more about 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, friendly church

Visiting Churches

What’s Next for 52 Churches?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date December 3, 2018
4 Comments on What’s Next for 52 Churches?

Our experience of visiting fifty-two churches in a year is over. I’ve shared the journey, as well as my recap and reflections on our pilgrimage. It was a great experience.

What’s next?

Quite a bit, actually. 52 Churches is now a book, with a scheduled publication December 4, 2018.

I only posted a fraction of what is in the book. Besides additional text, the book also includes my summary of the adventure and my conclusions.

But who says we need to stop at fifty-two churches? In the months since Church #52, we’re continuing to explore how the various branches of Jesus’ church worship and serve him. Look for more posts about more churches in the future.

In many ways, 52 Churches isn’t over. It’s just beginning.

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, author Peter DeHaan