Church Visit - Non Denominational

Since leaving the pastorate last year, we have been visiting various churches as we have opportunity and am, once again, blogging about our experiences. I did this one other time before getting involved in another church. 

This is a continuation of a series of blog posts I am doing on our experiences 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 - This church was formerly a Baptist church. They recently dropped the Baptist designation from their name. I see on their website where they refer to themselves as a Non-Denominational church

~TYPE OF SERVICE

*Traditional 

*Contemporary XXX

*Blended 

~SIZE OF CHURCH - This church has three services. We attended the middle service which started at 9:30 am. 750 people were in attendance at this service plus kids and staff we did not see.

~FRIENDLINESS - We were greeted by a greeter and given a bulletin upon entering. Wasn't greeted by anyone else once inside the sanctuary until a brief greeting time.

~AVERAGE AGE OF CONGREGATION - Ages ran the spectrum. I would say the average age was 35-40

~DRESS ATTIRE - Mostly casual

~GREETING - Less than a minute

~MUSIC - Praise & Worship led by a worship team. They had a six piece band. They did a great job.

~BALANCE OF MUSIC VS WORD - 30 minutes including worship, offering and brief greeting. Pastor preached just over 40 minutes

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

ALTAR CALL/INVITATION - At the end of the service the prayer team came forward and pastor said if anyone needed prayer or needed to talk with a member of the prayer team they could come forward.

~ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS OFFERED - Sunday School, nursery, Student programs on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. They have Connect Groups as well as various classes for those interested in the church

~BIBLE VERSION USED - ESV though the pew Bible was NIV

~PREACHING STYLE - Pastor's preaching style was conversational. I recall thinking the message was good and timely but the delivery was rather boring for my taste.

~USE OF SCRIPTURE - Very good. You had to follow in your Bible as they didn't put many verses on the screen. 

~RELEVANT MESSAGE - It was a relevant message for the new year

~LENGTH OF SERVICE - 1 hour 15 minutes

~OBSERVATIONS/COMMENTS - This was the largest church we have attended to date. This church has three services on Sunday morning. I am unsure how many attend the first and last service. Lots of staff. At least three pastors who, as I understand it, rotate preaching/teaching responsibilities. 

Due to the parking lot being so large, the church does offer shuttle service to and from the front door. I thought that was a nice feature. There were ample handicap parking spots in front. 

While I did not find this church to be particularly friendly, their follow up was great. A lady delivered a pie to us that Sunday afternoon. I received a follow up e-mail thanking us for our visit and one asking if I would complete a four question survey - which I did. We also received a card thanking us for our visit. Overall, very good follow up.

We may or may not return for a follow up visit at some point. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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