Church Visit - Southern Baptist Church

Since leaving the pastorate earlier this year, we will be visiting various churches as we have opportunity and will, once again, blog about our experience. I did this one other time before getting involved in another church. 

This is my ninth blog post in a series I am doing on our experience visiting churches of various denominational labels, sizes and different styles of services. It is not my intent to be critical, but rather to be real and honest in our experiences. We have established criteria we are looking for at all of the institutional churches we are visiting. I do not intend to mention the church specifically by name.

I have blogged in the past about Christians who have left and are leaving the institutional church in large numbers. They are leaving for their own spiritual welfare. Most still love God but have become disillusioned or fed up with the institutional church today. I believe this is a timely series. May it open our eyes and our hearts to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus.

CHURCH CRITERIA

~DENOMINATIONAL LABEL - Southern Baptist Church in a small community south of Springfield, IL 

~TYPE OF SERVICE

*Traditional XXX

*Contemporary

*Blended 

~SIZE OF CHURCH - There were 35-40 present in this service

~FRIENDLINESS - This was a very friendly church. We were greeted by a greeter and given a bulletin upon entering. Several greeted us once we were seated. 

~AVERAGE AGE OF CONGREGATION - Based on my observation I would say 65-70 on average

~DRESS ATTIRE - Mostly casual

~GREETING - No formal greeting time during service

~MUSIC - The music consisted of a keyboard. There was a song leader along with three others in the praise team.

~BALANCE OF MUSIC VS WORD - There were four congregational songs, in all, before the sermon. Pastor preached for 37 minutes.

~TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED - They utilized PowerPoint. You also have the option for online giving.

ALTAR CALL/INVITATION - This is one of the few churches we have visited where there was an altar call/invitation at the end of the service. 

~ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS OFFERED - Sunday School, nursery, TeamKid and Youth IGNITE

~BIBLE VERSION USED-NIV 

~PREACHING STYLE - Pastor's preaching style was fairly monotone. There were points when he did get a little excited. Overall, he was not able to keep my attention.

~USE OF SCRIPTURE - Very good. This was an expository sermon so he expounded upon the passage he was preaching on.

~RELEVANT MESSAGE - Very relevant passage of Scripture and he had some thoughts that were pretty good.

~LENGTH OF SERVICE - 1 hour 20 minutes

~OBSERVATIONS/COMMENTS - This was a traditional church that was very friendly. People continued to trickle in as the service went on.  

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Church Visit - Non Denominational Christian

Since leaving the pastorate earlier this year, we will be visiting various churches as we have opportunity and will, once again, blog about our experience. I did this one other time before getting involved in another church. 

This is my eighth blog post in a series I am doing on our experience visiting churches of various denominational labels, sizes and different styles of services. It is not my intent to be critical, but rather to be real and honest in our experiences. We have established criteria we are looking for at all of the institutional churches we are visiting. I do not intend to mention the church specifically by name.

I have blogged in the past about Christians who have left and are leaving the institutional church in large numbers. They are leaving for their own spiritual welfare. Most still love God but have become disillusioned or fed up with the institutional church today. I believe this is a timely series. May it open our eyes and our hearts to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus.

CHURCH CRITERIA

~DENOMINATIONAL LABEL - Non-Denominational Christian Church in a small community southwest of Springfield, IL 

~TYPE OF SERVICE

*Traditional 

*Contemporary

*Blended XXX

~SIZE OF CHURCH - There were around 100 people present: 80 adults and 20 children

~FRIENDLINESS - This was a friendly church. We were greeted by a greeter and given a bulletin upon entering. Some greeted us once we were seated. 

~AVERAGE AGE OF CONGREGATION - Based on my observation I would say 45-50 on average

~DRESS ATTIRE - Casual to dress

~GREETING - No formal greeting time during service

~MUSIC - The music consisted of a keyboard, piano and drums. There was a song leader along who led from the keyboard. The music was a combination of old choruses and hymns

~BALANCE OF MUSIC VS WORD - I believe the music was cut short a bit since there was a baptism at the end of the service. The sermon was good and on point backed up with a good amount of Scripture.

~TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED - They utilized PowerPoint. You also have the option for online giving.

ALTAR CALL/INVITATION - None

~ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS OFFERED - Sunday School, they were accepting donations of hygiene items for Lewis Memorial Christian Home, and shared about the upcoming senior event at the Christian campground.

~BIBLE VERSION USED-NIV 

~PREACHING STYLE - Pastor's preaching style was somewhat conversational. He was able to keep my attention throughout the entire message. 

~USE OF SCRIPTURE - Very good. He had started a series on water baptism the week before. 

~RELEVANT MESSAGE - Very relevant message on water baptism.  This was a very good and balanced sermon.

~LENGTH OF SERVICE - 55 minutes including the baptism

~OBSERVATIONS/COMMENTS - This was a rather large church in a small community. The people were friendly. Pastor communicated his message in a way that kept my attention - and that is no easy task. 

This is a church we will go back and visit.   

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.