We had a little difficulty finding this church as they are meeting right now in a normal-looking house. We did have an address to confirm that we were at the right place and right where God wanted us to be this morning.
We were warmly greeted and had an enjoyable conversation with some of the members. I was admiring a simple wooden cross which looked to be made from plywood, and later learned that the members had written names on the cross of those they were praying for. Prayer seems to be an important part of this church.
The sermon wove around man’s Biblical need to be respected and woman’s need to be loved. I think the message tied to a Bible study that the church is doing. It ended with the thought that when you get to the disagreement, pray together.
A high point for me was where Pastor Barry referenced how we were made to God‘s perfect plan, He made no mistakes, so how can we want to change what He created?
The church does a Prayer Walk for their neighbors on the streets nearby. They are focusing on the West View area and looking to acquire a building in the vicinity.
We have worshiped in large churches with all the trappings and many would be well served to visit this little group and learn what worship is all about.
Today’s church visit was unlike any other we have made.
This is a fairly new church plant born (I believe) from the Baptist tradition and services are currently held in a house that seems to have been used for this purpose in the past. Worship is held in one of the first-floor rooms set up with chairs and space in the front for the talented guitarist and drummer.
This service felt very much like a family get-together. Everyone was extraordinarily friendly and welcoming, offering coffee before worship and cookies after. Being diabetic we passed on the cookies but stayed for the conversation, which was also sweet.
The congregation is working together through the book “Love and Respect” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. The pastor preaches about part of the book on Sunday and during weekly small group meetings the congregation works through it in more detail. Today’s message was called “Getting Beyond the Crossroads of Crazy” and was based on 1 Peter 3:1-8. It was a detailed, Biblically-based outline of God’s instructions upon creation of man and woman and marriage.
The book sounds fascinating as it speaks to the deepest needs of both genders in this most intimate of connections. It made for a powerful sermon.
The world may say this church needs some things, but this church appears to be relationally open and mutually supportive with deep prayer lives through which they seek to glorify God. They may be small, but they sure seem to be on the right track.
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