CHURCH VISIT - BAPTIST

This is my second 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 - Baptist

~TYPE OF SERVICE
   *Traditional xxxx
   *Contemporary
   *Blended

~SIZE OF CHURCH - Small

~FRIENDLINESS - Both pastor and congregation very friendly

~AVERAGE AGE OF CONGREGATION - 40-50

~DRESS ATTIRE - Casual

~GREETING - We were greeted upon entering the building in addition to the greeting time during service. The greeting time during the service was a good amount of time. The folks continued greeting after the service was over.

~MUSIC - Congregational singing music was a combination on of organ and piano as well as sound tracks. Special music singers utilized sound tracks.

~BALANCE OF MUSIC VS WORD - There was a good balance of music and Word

~TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED - Power Point was utilized throughout the progression of the service as well as throughout the pastor's message. Pastor also used a video to close out his message.

ALTAR CALL/INVITATION - Yes an altar call was given encouraging a time of prayer

~ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS OFFERED - This church offers many activities. It has a solid youth program, men's activities, women's activities as well as family oriented activities.

~BIBLE VERSION USED- NKJV

~PREACHING STYLE-  Conversational

~USE OF SCRIPTURE - Good use of Scripture throughout the sermon

~RELEVANT MESSAGE - Very relevant message on prayer and necessity of an active prayer life.

~LENGTH OF SERVICE -  About 1 hour 10 minutes

~OBSERVATIONS/COMMENTS
We enjoyed our visit to this church in a small town south of where we live.  It is apparent this is a good group of people who love God and love one another.  This church is very friendly and joyful.

While the church handed out a bulletin, they did deviate from the bulletin. I was glad to see they are not bound by the bulletin.

Our experience at this church was a very positive one.  This is a church we would visit again.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray