Yesterday a coworker of mine from the store who would still be a part of our Wednesday night gathering, if was still functioning, was baptized as a part of her Christendom church's Sunday morning show and we attended.
It was the first time we attended a Sunday morning show in about a year and it was the first time we attended a seeker sensitive show in about two years.
The congregation is one that leaders of my denomination would love to adopt so that they could, in their minds, expand the Kingdom by adding it to our brand.
Evie and I were among the oldest people present. It's hard to tell how many children there are because they are completely segregated from the adults, but, based on the number of adults of childbearing age, there were a boatload.
Just a few observations:
The congregation was institutionally welcoming. The church sign says, "You are welcome." There is a large lobby area and the first thing I saw when I pushed through the door was a "WELCOME CENTER." We arrived early to get a seat in the back because we had to be able to rush out at the end to deal with some issues related to my parents' care.
We were greeted perfunctorally by people wearing name tags but not encouraged to check out the WELCOME CENTER and we were not approached by anyone else, except for our friend who was being baptized.
There was a very professional looking, what are they called today?, we used to call them bulletins. And, interestingly, while there was an accounting there of money received, no attendance figures.
The music was loud but not excessively polished and very geared to thirtysomethings. Interestingly, Evie, who listens to a lot of contemporary Christian music, only knew one song. Even though the music was not professionally polished, it was spirited and the praise of the band members was authentic.
During the greeting time, no one sought us out. Only people adjacent to us shook our hands and without warmth or smiles. They may have been first timers like we were as far as I know.
There were ten people baptized. Our friend was the only adult. The others ranged in age from eight to late teens.
Baptism was by immersion. That time in the, uh, service was handled well. Each person had written a testimony which was read to the congregation while they were coming forward and sitting in the feeding trough that served as a baptistery. All the testimonies were moving.
The offering came near the end. It was not called an offering. Seekers were informed that only church people were expected to put moolah in the plate. It was explained that they do that as a part of their obedience to the Lord, that is, to support their local church (something that I don't find in the Bible.) The rest of us were told that we were welcome to put the "Contact Card" that was attached to the handout we received into the plate if we so desired. We, of course, didn't.
Now, as far as the sermon is concerned: Technically, any denominational mountaintopper would have given it two thumbs up. It was topical, on baptism. As topical, um, preaching can be, in my opinion, it read truth into the Scripture verses cited but it was very biblical and understandable and, thankfully, brief.
But, according to my understanding of the teaching of the Word, it was a theological disaster. It suffered from the error this blog calls Ecclesiolatry, or the worship of the church, not the Lord.
It's main point was that baptism is a person's proclamation that s/he is a part of God's family, that is, the church, not that s/he has died to self and, through Christ, been raised to new life.
And, unlike what takes place in our gatherings, no opportunity for conversation or challenge was available. We all were required to consume that questionable teaching.
All in all, for what it was, the, uh, service was well done. My greatest objection to it is that it presented itself as worship when the New Testament says that worship is, merely, when disciples offer their bodies as living sacrifices.
I'm glad we attended, though, to support our friend.
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