Discussing Church 18 Today we visit our second Roman Catholic Church. I’m excited—and nervous. We are revisiting Roman Catholicism. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #18: 1. The large sanctuary is grand without being ostentatious. Contemporary and airy, it seats several hundred. It’s the largest we’ve seen so far. Does your building facilitate worship […]
Discussing Church 17 This church has a contemporary service followed by a traditional one. It’s a church doubleheader. We’ll go to both. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #17: 1. Their idea of contemporary is vastly different from mine, with this service being one of the more reserved ones we’ve attended. If you state […]
Discussing Church 16 This nondenominational church meets in a public school auditorium. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #16: 1. Renting space saves the church from purchasing and maintaining a facility. Whether you own your building or rent space, how can you maximize your outreach and better impact your community? 2. They use more […]
How to Be an Engaging Church The experiences I share in this book More Than 52 Churches are just that: my experiences. Other people will have different observations when visiting a church. I am an introvert, as is a slight majority of the population, but my reactions are not unique to or representative of introverts. […]
Discussing Church 15 Their website says we’ll find “a laid-back, coffeehouse atmosphere” with “an unconventional setting where a blend of people, of all ages, from all walks of life, can gather and feel at home.” This is my kind of church. It’s an outlier church in a mainline denomination. Consider these four discussion questions about […]
Discussing Church 14 The church website doesn’t give their affiliation, but the pastor’s bio implies they’re Pentecostal. Their Facebook page, however, prominently confirms this. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #14: 1. Facebook says the service lasts two hours. I’m glad to know this, but I still dread what awaits me. Most people expect […]
A Journey Exploring Effective Digital Christian Community Most people don’t like online church. But that doesn’t mean we should dismiss it. With many having endured a season of attending church over the internet, they want to put it behind them. They desire to return to in-person gatherings. Not so fast. Online church plays a vital […]
Discussing Churches 14-26 The next thirteen churches on my list promise a wider variety of experiences. This excites me. Our journey is about growth and discovery, not about thoroughly covering every option in a precise order. Consider these two discussion questions as we look forward to part 2: 1. We can experience a lot of […]
Discussion Questions for Churches 1-13 We’re one-quarter of the way through our journey of visiting 52 churches in a year. It’s been more than I’d hoped for and at the same time, not as much of what I expected. Consider these two discussion questions about the first part of our journey: 1. Every church we […]
Discussing Church 13 This church has no website and a blank Facebook page. The lack of information online discourages me. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #13: 1. The pastor welcomes us warmly. He’s expecting us because Candy emailed him to confirm service times. What can your church do to make it easier for […]