So a friend of mine and I went to visit the Presbyterians a couple of weeks ago. Then my wife and I went to the First Church of the Soccermom the following week. Interesting contrast between the two, but at the same time there were some striking similarities.
Upon arrival at the Presbyterian church my friend and I found ourselves running a bit late. Interestingly, no matter what time I leave I have not been on time to church yet. There is always something that comes up. As we arrived we followed some people into the building, it seems there are a lot of people that are late! So, the door we entered was on the side of the building thus prompting my friend to ask, "Is this the right entrance?"
We found our way to the sanctuary, passing the choir getting ready for the processional. I thought about jumping in line, but it seemed a bit inappropriate! Besides, my friend had brought his daughter and we had to find out what was available for her during the service - there was nothing. However, they were kind enough to provide pens in the pews for the children to draw.
Once we found our seat, we realized that all the information needed for the service could be found in the bulletin - 11x14 with small print. There was a short list of weekly activities and events - most of which were on Sunday (except for 2 Bible studies and the 2 choir practices). The rest of the bulletin/program was dedicated to the hour and fifteen minute worship service. All the scripture, the readings and hymn numbers were found here. We were able to follow along quite easily once my friend was able to finally figure out how to juggle his daughter with the bulletin - I could sense his frustration as we had to stand up for a reading that was in the bulletin. All the contents fell out onto the concrete floor and gently floated up to the next row. After getting on his knees to gather the materials he stood up to join in the last sentence of the scripture reading.
We were never told to stand or to sit (all the information was in the bulletin) and nor were we told which hymn to turn to (printed in the bulletin). There was one exception to this, at the end of the service we were told which verses to sing since the sermon had gone a bit long and we had to finish on time. We had one of those grin & greet times where we met one of the elders - nice guy. But for the most part we just stood there as all the regulars greeted one another. Interestingly, this time followed a hymn and the song leader's statement, "Tell the person next to you, 'Isn't this the best news you have heard all morning?'" I wondered what the unchurched person would do with that?
The sermon was good, my friend's daughter had to go to the bathroom, so he didn't have much of an opinion on that. The infant baptism was very similar to our child dedication but only those who were members were allowed to participate in the covenant. As we left we walked by everyone and nobody said "hello" or "goodbye." Come to think of it, nobody greeted us as we came in - but they did hand us each a bulletin.
The following week we went to the church of the soccermom. The people were friendly, but we were not visitors, though it was our first Sunday in attendance. As the referees went through their various rituals questions were freely asked about why certain rituals were practiced in this strange "religion." Each member was given the opportunity to offer their opinion and their was corporate celebration and some time for lament. At the end, all the members were invited to a shared meal where we all got to know one another fairly well. My wife and I were able to get to know a single mom who is a doctor and therefore unable to attend the "services" regularly. The upcoming weekly events are communicated either via email or by word of mouth, but all the members know what is going on because they take personal responsibility to know.
We are going to see how the Aussies do it next. I wonder, do they "Grin & Greet?" Do they have "Cups & Crackers?" Or do they share a full meal?
5/14/2008
Two Churches in the Burbs
Being the pastor of a church downtown, I wanted to visit some suburban American churches. When we first moved to Colorado Springs we lived downtown and pastored downtown, but we couldn't afford to buy downtown. We bought a home in the burbs - that place where they level the hills and name streets after them. In most cities it is that place where they cut down the trees and name streets after them - but there were no trees there to begin with in Colorado Springs!
Anyway, as you may note I have a bias for the urban centers. I like the diversity and the overall flavor of the downtown of a fairly major urban center. I like the fact that I have to explain to my kids why two women are holding hands. I like having to give my kids some change to give to the homeless guy in front of the restaurant. I like not noticing that the owners of one of my favorite restaurants speak with a heavy Iranian accent. I like going to church where someone of any race could walk through the doors and not feel different from everyone else.
My first Sunday I went to a church pastored by a good friend of mine. The music was good but dated, the sermon was good and relevant, the building had incredible views that inspired me to worship the Creator. I was welcomed by four greeters with name tags as I entered the building - but nobody gave me a bulletin, oops! I found a seat in the back and joined in the singing. After the first couple of songs we were told to greet those around us - I didn't know anyone and felt awkward. Then the pastor and his wife spotted me and made their way over to me and invited me to sit with them.
Later in the service the music leader told us to turn toward the center aisle and sing to the people across the aisle - awkwardness again. However, as we were singing someone on the other side of the church recognized me and waved - very cool! The attendance was low for the early service, but the church was an average suburban church of 250-300 people at their weekend services. Communion was served after the message - crackers and cups (Individual cups of grape juice and a broken piece of unleavened bread served separately by the elders of the church). Having grown up in the Evangelical church, it was very familiar to me - too bad my friend couldn't come.
The second church I attended was also in the burbs but was much bigger. I found my parking space along with the other 5000 people and made my way to the big building. I was greeted by 4 people again - I also got a bulletin (more like a great marketing brochure). I arrived a couple minutes late and walked into the service while the pastor was greeting everyone and setting the stage for the video - very smooth! It took me a second to realize that he wasn't in the building but about 7 miles away at their satellite campus. At the end of the video he offered the prayer of blessing and invited us to greet the people around us - awkward again! But this time I wasn't the only one who didn't know anybody! Nobody knew anyone!
So the music was excellent, fresh and new - I barely noticed how two of the songs were not led by the team in our building but by those at the satellite campus. But we got the speaker and they had to watch him on the big screen! Great sermon, not one "umm" and there were three jokes and two emotional illustrations. At the end of the message, about 10% of the church got up and left even though the service was still very much "alive." The pastor - not there - invited anyone who needed prayer to come to the front or go to one of the guest booths in the foyer. He then blessed everyone and we left while the band played the "theme song" for the service, (I found myself humming that song for the next hour or so).
My only regret for the first two Sundays of my sabbatical, is that my friend is not feeling well enough to go with me. I would have loved to hear his perspective. Well, I might have recruited another friend for this week as we visit the Presbyterians - I wonder if they drink out of little cups too?
Anyway, as you may note I have a bias for the urban centers. I like the diversity and the overall flavor of the downtown of a fairly major urban center. I like the fact that I have to explain to my kids why two women are holding hands. I like having to give my kids some change to give to the homeless guy in front of the restaurant. I like not noticing that the owners of one of my favorite restaurants speak with a heavy Iranian accent. I like going to church where someone of any race could walk through the doors and not feel different from everyone else.
My first Sunday I went to a church pastored by a good friend of mine. The music was good but dated, the sermon was good and relevant, the building had incredible views that inspired me to worship the Creator. I was welcomed by four greeters with name tags as I entered the building - but nobody gave me a bulletin, oops! I found a seat in the back and joined in the singing. After the first couple of songs we were told to greet those around us - I didn't know anyone and felt awkward. Then the pastor and his wife spotted me and made their way over to me and invited me to sit with them.
Later in the service the music leader told us to turn toward the center aisle and sing to the people across the aisle - awkwardness again. However, as we were singing someone on the other side of the church recognized me and waved - very cool! The attendance was low for the early service, but the church was an average suburban church of 250-300 people at their weekend services. Communion was served after the message - crackers and cups (Individual cups of grape juice and a broken piece of unleavened bread served separately by the elders of the church). Having grown up in the Evangelical church, it was very familiar to me - too bad my friend couldn't come.
The second church I attended was also in the burbs but was much bigger. I found my parking space along with the other 5000 people and made my way to the big building. I was greeted by 4 people again - I also got a bulletin (more like a great marketing brochure). I arrived a couple minutes late and walked into the service while the pastor was greeting everyone and setting the stage for the video - very smooth! It took me a second to realize that he wasn't in the building but about 7 miles away at their satellite campus. At the end of the video he offered the prayer of blessing and invited us to greet the people around us - awkward again! But this time I wasn't the only one who didn't know anybody! Nobody knew anyone!
So the music was excellent, fresh and new - I barely noticed how two of the songs were not led by the team in our building but by those at the satellite campus. But we got the speaker and they had to watch him on the big screen! Great sermon, not one "umm" and there were three jokes and two emotional illustrations. At the end of the message, about 10% of the church got up and left even though the service was still very much "alive." The pastor - not there - invited anyone who needed prayer to come to the front or go to one of the guest booths in the foyer. He then blessed everyone and we left while the band played the "theme song" for the service, (I found myself humming that song for the next hour or so).
My only regret for the first two Sundays of my sabbatical, is that my friend is not feeling well enough to go with me. I would have loved to hear his perspective. Well, I might have recruited another friend for this week as we visit the Presbyterians - I wonder if they drink out of little cups too?
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