Went to a New Church Today

[JoeMo]

It has been about 10 years since I have been to a Sabbath service at a traditional SDA Church.  As much as I love the small (20 people on a good day) SDA church I have been attending, I wanted something more than a hearty breakfast and an hour-long discussion on 2 Samuel 18.  I haven't heard a live sermon in years.  So I went to an SDA church I had never attended before.It was a real blessing.  The Sabbath School "facilitator" was someone I've know for years; and the book they were studying was one by a well-known non-SDA author rather than the quarterly.  We strayed into non SDA territory a few times; but everyone was cool with it.

About 120 people were there for worship.  Everyone sang loudly and enthusiastically; some with hands raised or dancing in place.  The congregation was very diverse age-wise and ethnically; yet no sign of cliques.  The sermon was by a non-SDA minister from Kenya who heads up an evangelical rescue operation there.  The church is partnering with them to dig wells in Kenya where people need fresh water that is not a half-day's walk away.  They are sending 10 people to Kenya later in the summer to help locate and drill wells.

I was greeted and got to know more people this morning than I have ever met as a "first-time" attendee at other churches - even got an invite for a picnic!  I even got an invite to join the praise band if I was planning to come back!  About 25% of the people there were non SDA's going just because they liked it.  In short, It was a huge blessing; and I will probably go back.

[phkrause]

2 hours ago, JoeMo said:

It has been about 10 years since I have been to a Sabbath service at a traditional SDA Church.  As much as I love the small (20 people on a good day) SDA church I have been attending, I wanted something more than a hearty breakfast and an hour-long discussion on 2 Samuel 18.  I haven't heard a live sermon in years.  So I went to an SDA church I had never attended before.It was a real blessing.  The Sabbath School "facilitator" was someone I've know for years; and the book they were studying was one by a well-known non-SDA author rather than the quarterly.  We strayed into non SDA territory a few times; but everyone was cool with it.

About 120 people were there for worship.  Everyone sang loudly and enthusiastically; some with hands raised or dancing in place.  The congregation was very diverse age-wise and ethnically; yet no sign of cliques.  The sermon was by a non-SDA minister from Kenya who heads up an evangelical rescue operation there.  The church is partnering with them to dig wells in Kenya where people need fresh water that is not a half-day's walk away.  They are sending 10 people to Kenya later in the summer to help locate and drill wells.

I was greeted and got to know more people this morning than I have ever met as a "first-time" attendee at other churches - even got an invite for a picnic!  I even got an invite to join the praise band if I was planning to come back!  About 25% of the people there were non SDA's going just because they liked it.  In short, It was a huge blessing; and I will probably go back.

Praise the Lord!! Sounds awesome!!

[Gail]

That's great that you had such a positive experience!

[dgrimm60]

JOEMO

well it is good to check out other S.D.A. CHURCHES and since you like it you can go back

dgrimm60

[JoeMo]

I appreciate the positive feedback. Now - how to tell my present church that we will be going to another church; reducing their membership by 1/8?

[dgrimm60]

JOEMO

I agree with  THE  WANDERER before you change churches ===I would go at least 4 to 6 sabbaths ===l

like THE WANDERER said 1 time might not be enough to change churches so I would go maybe  

every other sabbath for at least 4 sabbath then make a choice

dgrimm60

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

3 hours ago, JoeMo said:

I appreciate the positive feedback. Now - how to tell my present church that we will be going to another church; reducing their membership by 1/8?

actually, you don't owe anyone an explanation, do you?  But if you want to offer an explanation preemptively, you could say something along the lines that you thought it would be good for you to explore other groups to expand your spiritual horizons... get other perspectives...

 

[JoeMo]

1 hour ago, rudywoofs (Pam) said:

actually, you don't owe anyone an explanation, do you? 

Actually, I think I do.  Being an active member (e.g., preaching, teaching, leading worship, bringing breakfast) in such a small church; and good friends with most of the members, it would be a blow (and probably offensive) to just disappear without an explanation or some kind of notice.  The acting pastor is one of my best friends.  We are too small with just a volunteer (unpaid) pastor to put together any ministries other than simply financial support to a couple small ministries and people among our families who are having a hard time.  I need to be involved in some sort of local ministry; but I'm too old and lazy to start something on my own (unless God directs me to do so).  A larger, better organized church would provide more opportunities.

[dgrimm60]

JOEMO

I hope you have   read  both my post and  THE WANDERER  post  about checking out  this church 

for a few more sabbaths  before making a choice

 

dgrimm60

[JoeMo]

51 minutes ago, dgrimm60 said:

I hope you have   read  both my post and  THE WANDERER  post  about checking for a few more sabbaths  before making a choice

Absolutely.  I also don't want to leave my current church without music on "my" Sabbath.  I also want to make sure I "fit" into the new church.  I'm not the world's most compliant SDA.  In case you haven't noticed, I'm kinda "quirky" and marginal in my denominational beliefs.  Some congregations are okay with that and some aren't.  One of the reasons I stayed with my current church so long is that I was in like company.  Almost all of us in that church are a little bit "out there"; and open-minded to new thoughts.  First impression - so is this new church.  The new church is also much larger and more active in ministry.  First impressions are not always the right ones.

[Gail]

Sometimes in being honest to ourselves (and God, may I dare?) a change is necessary.

[JoeMo]

Went back to the church I visited last week.  Same experience - great Sabbath School, great message, an invitation to participate in a food giveaway today, an invitation to throw a BBQ  and church service for the homeless in a couple weeks, an invitation to join a small group.  This place sure seems to have it going on!