Let's Go and Visit...

We're going to church - at least that's the mindset. We pull into the car park of a big out-of-town warehouse and are directed by some smiling waving men in bright coats to a parking bay. We lock the car and make our way through an entrance into the 'church building'. We are greeted warmly and enthusiatically by several folk and shown to a seat half-way down the auditorium. Soft rock music is playing and we make ourselves comfortable. We are a little early and the opportunity is taken to look around at where we are.

We face a stage with bright multicoloured lights illuminating it. There is a large screen to one side which bears a welcoming slogan. Neat! There are 500+ seats and they are filling up gradually. As it nears the start time people make their way quickly to seats and the place is soon 'nicely filled'. A young smiling man makes his way on to the stage closely followed by a group of musicians and singers who arrange themselves around microphones. The young man welcomes us 'particularly those here for the first time'. A 'time of worship' is announced. The music begins and the roller-coaster of music and singing begins with songwords projected on to the screen. We know some of them and join in where appropriate. This continues for about 40 minutes. No-one prays publicly and there is no prophetic word, tongue or interpretation.

The music subsides and we are encouraged to take our seats. The young man tells us what is going to happen in the upcoming week. He prays. We have an offering - and we are encouraged, if we are a tax-payer to fill in a form, so the church can get more money off the government.

The children at thsi point are ushered out and the speaker makes his way to the microphone. His face appears on the screen. He introduces himself as the 'senior pastor' and proceeds to announce what he is to be talking about that day. For the next 43 minutes we are presented with an excellent, well thought out talk on the christian life of faith and discipleship. We are encouraged to pray more, read our Bibles more and get more involved in the life of the church. It would appear there are a number of vacancies that need to be filled in the activities of the church and we are exhorted to talk to a member of the church 'staff' if we are interested. There is a closing song (very loud!) and a prayer and that is it. No Bible has been opened, the verses have appeared on the screen for us to see. Few actually carried Bibles at all...some take notes. Most do what they have done sice the service began. Simply sit and listen. Passive and unmoving and apparently unmoved.

Coffee is now served and several people engage us in conversation...very pleasant. We make our way to the car and leave for home.

There is, believe me, no particular church in mind here. This is an amalgum of several churches I have been to. In every instance it has been enjoyable, entertaining and professional.

I leave, intending to try something else next week.......


Do you think that what you have experienced above is church? If it is, in your opinion, a biblical assembling of God's people, then comment accordingly and have a look at what the NT calls church.