Northway Christian Community

Today we worshiped at Northway Christian Community, 12121 Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090, www.northway.org.


Bob’s thoughts:

We pulled into a large, full, parking lot and were fortunate to find a spot near an entrance. The church is an impressive structure, well laid out and landscaped, very handicapped accessible, with a very open narthex. I was impressed right from the entry on the signage, both directional and area. We were early and had an opportunity to wander around. The second floor did not receive the attention of the main floor; I think it may have been mostly school rooms. I did not notice a kitchen, but it is a very large building.

While we were checking the materials at the information desk, one of the pastors introduced himself and we had a pleasant chat. When he noticed I was a Marine, he went out of his way to introduce me to the senior pastor, whom he said was a Marine as well. The Corps is a strong brotherhood, and I thought it odd that none of the common comments or phrases were forthcoming upon our meeting.

The Sanctuary was what you would expect of this type of church: large stage, big screens, and very comfortable seating. Unfortunately, the worship became a performance right off. To me it felt that the congregation was being told what to feel and think. I believe this church looks at itself as one large family, but I saw no evidence of that. I was disappointed that I could not find a cross, and there were no references to mission. I worry about the message of this church, as I’m not sure there is room for Christ.

The offering was not yet taken when we left toward the end of the sermon, so I assume it was taken in response to the Word preached, but not sure what word.

There is obviously a very good business manager on the staff. There is attention to a lot of details, areas that should be visible are, and seemed like good child security was in place. Northway comes across as a very good business, but not much room for Christ.

The highlight of my visit was while we were in the welcoming room a young boy about 2 or 3 years old ran up and gave me a hug. Christ was there in that hug.

Jan’s thoughts:

Having driven past Northway several times recently, we thought we should stop in and chose this day to do so. It’s an attractive building with plenty of parking. A huge complex, very open and accessible to the handicapped worshipers who attend.

We arrived during the 9 a.m. service, so we had plenty of time to tour the building, which was good because it took quite a while. From the moment we entered, it was obvious that much planning had gone into the arrangement and administration. The signage was excellent, and there were many nice touches. An electronic device for members to check in their children before taking them to their classrooms; a hospitality room for visitors was stocked with bottled water, pastries, coffee, and a slew of informational material. Large-screen closed circuit TVs throughout the well-seated atrium make it possible to see and hear the service from outside the Sanctuary. It took us almost an hour to tour leisurely throughout the areas of the building we did see.

As the early service was letting out, we were approached by one of the pastors and had an extended conversation, after which he introduced us to the senior pastor. Other than three of the pastors and the woman staffing the visitor room, the only other people who greeted us sat very nearby and introduced themselves during the service.

The bulletin contains announcement-type information, a calendar of events for the week, a brief article from the senior pastor, and a fill-in-the-blanks sermon outline, but no order of worship. It also contains an invitation to participate in a service of Baptism on Good Friday, which I’ve never heard of before. I know Good Friday is the one day when the Sacrament of Communion is not celebrated, so is Baptism appropriate on Good Friday?

The “Sanctuary,” such as it is, is very comfortable auditorium-style seating, a stage from which the pastor preached and the band (for lack of a better word) performed. They did their best to evoke something akin to passion and sincerity, but I sensed neither.

One thing I hardly mention but something to which I pay close attention is the theology of the music. With traditional hymns, the theology is usually (though not always) on target, but the music this morning was all about us. Worship is supposed to be God-centered and the music, being such a large part of a service such as this especially, needs to be God-centered also. However, this music was all about how happy we are that Jesus died for us and we’re forgiven. Of course this is true, but surely it goes deeper than that? We worship God for what He gets out of it, not what we get, so why did we not sing about how great God is, even if the reason we think He’s great is because of what He’s done for us?

Then there’s the sermon. I made note of several things about which I wondered. The text was John 11:1-46, about Lazarus, which he read through piece-meal as he preached, and he spoke of “encounters” meaning, I think, God-orchestrated events in our lives. His points were, in my opinion, shallow and slightly skewed theologically, with an emphasis on miracles that I found puzzling. Certainly Jesus’ restoring Lazarus to life was a miracle, no question about it. But I’d bet my bottom dollar that in a crowd that size there were more than a few who took his words to mean that they have a miracle coming to them if they (or someone) just has faith. That seems pretty dangerous ground to tread.

In all the time we’ve been visiting churches, there was only one other service which we chose to leave before it ended, but today makes two. And we don’t plan to return.