Searching: I’ve been looking for a church that projects relevance to my stage of Christian development. In this quest I have visited and worshiped with many streams of religious persuasion. Assuming this may be an issue for many in the Anchorage area, I offer in this blog brief accounts of my visits. The criteria I use in evaluating my visits are:
• Did the church project friendliness and warmth?
• Did I truly feel welcomed?
• Did I relate to the main teaching and was it delivered effectively?
• Did music merely entertain or did it deepen the worship experience?
Map to churches I have visited.
My email: churchvisits@gmail.com
Chris Thompson, an amateur biblical scholar and student of religions, is a member of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and Society for Biblical Literature (SBL). He enjoys AAR/SBL where he studies, first hand, with worldwide religious scholars. A management consultant, skilled in all aspects of 360-degree feedback programs and human resource management systems, he practices these skills as Workforce Consulting. He lives in Anchorage.
ON THE WEB
Google map with visited churches
As I visit churches, I'll post their locations on this map.
Shocking Beliefs of the Unchurched - 11/30/2008 12:01 pm
Great Land Christian Church - What a Great Experience! - 11/20/2008 10:00 pm
Crosspoint: Room for Improvement - 11/16/2008 4:17 pm
A Church Visit Reader Shares Their "Looking for A Church" Story - 11/10/2008 10:02 pm
St. John Orthodox - A Spiritual Treat - 10/31/2008 3:54 pm
Guest Blog - Chris Walker's "10 Tips for Greeters" - 10/23/2008 12:57 pm
Christian Courage, It's Still Alive! - 10/12/2008 2:58 pm
More Changes Coming to ChangePoint - 10/3/2008 7:06 am
Guest Blog -Top 10 Church Website Design Mistakes of 2007 - 9/28/2008 6:01 pm
Muldoon Assembly: Friendly, Programmed - 9/19/2008 11:12 pm
Why I've Run From Churches - Guest Blog - 9/16/2008 6:58 pm
Christian Church of Anchorage...An Invitation, Refusal, and Later Visit - 9/3/2008 1:38 pm
Podcasts/Godcasts...The Darker Side Pt. 2 - 8/30/2008 12:33 pm
Christ Community Church…A Somewhat Closed Experience - 8/21/2008 9:55 am
Can a Podcast be a Godcast? Part 1 - 8/16/2008 7:47 pm
Youth Lead Sunday Evening Service…A Pleasant First! - 8/12/2008 4:09 pm
Anchorage City Church…Charismatically Quiet - 8/4/2008 11:02 pm
But what about theology? - 7/30/2008 1:42 pm
Holy Family Cathedral: Warm, Friendly and Catholic - 7/26/2008 9:50 pm
Foreign missionaries to the U.S. or even Alaska, can it be true? - 7/22/2008 2:46 pm
First church I've visited not using musical instruments, but they can sing! - 7/16/2008 10:39 am
Protestantism Declining, Catholicism Steady, and No Religious Affiliation Rising According to Pew Forum Report - 7/10/2008 4:33 pm
NOVEMBER 30, 2008 - 12:01 PM
As we enter this Advent season, I feel it important to point out that churches have an enormous opportunity to reach out to the unchurched during this time. Findings by George Barna and his Barna Group, a Christian research organization, released two years ago (Unchurched), reveal shocking data about unchurched adults. Barna defines unchurched as “…adults (18 or older) who has not attended a Christian church service within the past six months, not including a holiday service (such as Easter or Christmas) or a special event at a church (such as a wedding or funeral).”
NOVEMBER 20, 2008 - 10:00 PM
Great Land Christian Church Meets Here
Summary
A quiet street in Midtown hides a strong and vibrant church full of Christian vitality and enthusiasm. Great Land Christian Church fosters a younger congregation which worships in a conservative setting, but their strong faith and quest for community bursts up like water from a mountain spring. Their singing is a joy to experience. Led by an enthusiastic, clean looking and in-tune praise group, every attendee joins in the meaningful mix of hymns, recent gospel songs, and some folk music, all without instruments. Totally a cappella! Not singing or holding a songbook due to a sinus infection, I was offered one four or five times during the singing, a distinct departure from any Anchorage church I’ve visited. The preaching, led by Pastor Ray Nadon, straight from the Word of God, was on a topic not usually heard in church: Revelation 2-4. Unlike many pastors, I felt Pastor Ray’s clear and dynamic extemporaneous preaching style connected clearly with this group. The church was full, but it felt like a one-to-one conversation. After communion the lead singers quickly came up and closed the service in song. Several members introduced themselves after the service. More happiness on the faces of the singers and greeters who are visitor-aware would have capped the day delightfully!
NOVEMBER 16, 2008 - 4:17 PM
Crosspoint Sign on the Mall WallSummary
Attending Crosspoint Community Church on a recommendation, I came expecting warm greetings, friendly people, and an energetic service. Unfortunately I left somewhat disappointed on most counts. Except for a brief chat with the pastor, no one spoke to me or even acknowledged my presence. The worship team sounded fine, but there was no joy on their faces. Their meaningful song lyrics seemed to strike no chord of happiness in their hearts. The sermon, professionally and energetically delivered, was difficult for me to follow. Maybe it was me, or the Associate Pastor was tied too closely to his notes. The pluses were lots of coffee, and choice of table seating, or comfortable chairs. Whatever happened to preaching direct from the Bible with lots of audience interaction, people willing and wanting to sing, the warmth and fellowship of a Christian group, and no Powerpoint slides?
NOVEMBER 10, 2008 - 10:02 PM
Summary
Business as usual in many Anchorage churches is clearly not meeting the needs of some earnest seekers after truth. Sometimes clergy and church members see these church visit blog posts as unwarranted attacks upon their churches. My visit goals are clearly stated in the criteria on this blog. Recently I received an e-mail from a seeker who contacted me on behalf of their family. This person expressed concerns about "loud worship bands" and the use of music to stimulate the emotions to given ends. The use of "onstage lighting" and expensive "visual aids" is also mentioned, and the reader questions whether we really need all of this to "give God a moment of our time". The reader wondered why they don't hear the word "SIN" used without all the "hellfire and damnation" talk usually accompanying it. "Fuzzy Grace", I call it "cheap grace", is also mentioned as a concern. There's more, but I think you get the message. Read more in the extract below. I'd love to hear what the Church Visit reader community has to share with someone looking for a church unburdened by the experiental trappings described.
OCTOBER 31, 2008 - 3:54 PM
Sign at Entry to St. John Orthodox CathedralSummary
Invited to visit by a member, I enjoyed the company of this fine group of Christians at St. John Orthodox Cathedral for part of Matins and the complete Divine Liturgy service on September 21, 2008. Warmly greeted by another member holding a child, I was given a brief rundown of the service. She shared how "we stand a lot" during the service, then showed me a place on the back row where I might be more comfortable sitting or standing. The services were in a set order, with worshipers standing most of the two hours of the liturgy. And...I, who object to standing, stood most of the service. This was a service wonderfully accented by religious ceremony, a meaningful homily, beautiful choral music throughout, and a touching religious acceptance of several adopted children of a parishioner family that even brought the pastor Fr. Marc Dunaway to tears. A joyous celebration in the multipurpose room downstairs brought me into close contact with individuals of this wonderful group for further discussions of their faith. I can see why this church is rapidly expanding in Christian love.
OCTOBER 23, 2008 - 12:57 PM
Sorry this blog entry is delayed but I've been ill the past couple of weeks and am just getting back up to speed. Recently I became aware of Chris Walker, blogger and religious trainer. He found my Church Visit blog on the web, publicized it on his, and contacted me to introduce himself. Two weeks ago, he was a speaker at an evangelism workshop at Victory Bible Camp in Palmer. On his way back home, we met at the Anchorage airport to get acquainted. One of the things I discovered about Chris is that he is also a Mystery Church Visitor, offering visits and after visit reports on potential improvements to the ways churches deal with visitors. The "10 Tips for Greeters" below is from his website and offers useful advice for churches, members, and visitors. See 10 Tips for Church Greeters at EvangelismCoach.org
OCTOBER 12, 2008 - 2:58 PM
Recently, I was teaching in a senior high school classroom. At the end of the day, after the students had turned in their papers, stacked their chairs, and exited the classroom, I noticed one young girl still working at her desk. I told her it was time to go. Thinking she hadn’t heard me I prepared to mention it again as I wanted to leave. Finally, I saw her getting up and coming toward me. Giving me her paper, she also gave me a little tract, mumbling something like “this is for you.” It was one of those little tracts from a local church entitled, Heaven/Hell – The Choice is Yours. I put it in my backpack, forgetting about it until the other day.
OCTOBER 3, 2008 - 7:06 AM
ChangePoint Entry Sign
In my posting earlier this year regarding my January 20 visit, I promised to revisit this Anchorage mega-church later in the year. To this end, I revisited ChangePoint on September 7, 2008 for the 11:30 a.m. service.
Traffic Nightmare
The traffic revisions on Raspberry have created a nightmare to get into this church. East & Westbound Raspberry traffic compete with outbound church and inbound Minnesota Northbound offramp traffic to Raspberry. There were short tempers aplenty this morning. These types of frustrations detract from the religious experience. Members and visitors alike should not have to experience them. I'm surprised ChangePoint and the MOA hadn't worked this out prior to Raspberry Road's eastbound extension opening.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2008 - 6:01 PM
I recently discovered Dean Peters excellent website and blog called Heal Your Church. A great church website can be a friendly conduit for visitors and members alike. Poorly designed, it can ensure your church will not be seen as friendly and inviting resulting in wasted resources and perplexed website viewers. Dean has graciously agreed to allow me to share this information with you in it's entirety. This is great information for church seekers & members and church website creators.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 - 11:12 PM
I was told the Muldoon Community Assembly of God had an interesting congregation worth visiting. On August 24, I dropped in for a visit. Their campus offers plenty of parking although the church buildings seem to have expanded in an unruly way over the years.
Muldoon Community Assembly of God - Rear Entrance
They're Friendly
In contrast to many of my visits to other Anchorage area churches, I found this church to be decidedly friendly and welcoming. I was greeted 4 or 5 times before I made my way to a seat. I ended up in the "Live" service which seemed to be more of a "regular" church service. Pastor Kent Redfearn engaged me in conversation before the service explaining their many service options. Finding him to be helpful, explanatory and welcoming, I even asked him about his academic background. But more about Redfearn later.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 - 6:58 PM
One thing led to another, and I became aware of blogger Bob Lotich and his website through Chris Walker who will be leading an upcoming evangelism training at Victory Bible Camp in Palmer. More about Chris in a future blog. Chris recently featured Bob Lotich as guest blog on his site. Bob has generously allowed me to share it with you.
Why I've Run From Churches - Bob Lotich
(Excerpted with permission from Bob Lotich's Website)
Let me start by saying that I have been planted in my current church for over 10 years. I deeply believe in the value of staying in the church that God plants you in rather than just leaving as soon as you get offended. That said, I have lived in a few different cities and have visited quite a few churches in each one when trying to find out where to land. I have seen some wonderful things and I have seen some things that made me want to run for the doors. These are the things that caused me to run for the door:
SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 - 1:38 PM
Christian Church of Anchorage SignIn July I received a warm invitation to attend a special service from Madelynn Robitson, a member of Christian Church of Anchorage. They were inviting me to attend a recognition and celebration honoring our troops. While, I don't receive many invitations to visit from area churches, I told Madelynn I'd rather attend a regular service with their normal pastor speaking, and add them to my visit list. (I don't normally pre-announce my visits but told her I'd meet her after the service I would finally attend.)
AUGUST 30, 2008 - 12:33 PM
While researching my previous post on podcasting, I uncovered podcast concerns Christians may want to consider when using this useful technology.
1. Be aware of pseudo religious podcasts
The iPod Alley listing of over 2,500 Religion & Spirituality podcasts, for example, contains many Pagan podcasts in their top 50 listing. Pagan and Wiccan podcasts total 120 of iPod Alley's listings. Both of these streams of belief are contrary to Christian, Jewish, and Islamic belief structures.
AUGUST 21, 2008 - 9:55 AM
Christ Community Church Sign on 100th AvenueI had been intrigued by a church in the Campbell Lake area on 100th just west of Minnesota. I’d passed it a number of times on my way to a teaching assignment. After investigating I discovered it was Christ Community Church and paid them a visit on August 10.
Cool Arrival
Entering the church I passed through a small knot of members absorbed in busy conversation but too busy to note a visitor and extend a greeting. I picked up a bulletin from a table by the door into the sanctuary and took a seat. Finding I’d picked up two bulletins, I went back to return the extra one only to rediscover I must be invisible as still no one spoke to me. After sitting again, an older member, ambling down the aisle stopped and introduced himself extending a greeting. Another member also came over greeting me before the start of the service.
AUGUST 16, 2008 - 7:47 PM
The iPod and other portable mp3 audio devices have revolutionized the transmission of recorded material. I consider this to be especially significant for the Christian community. Many churches now release recordings of sermons and other talks in Podcast form offering potential visitors or even members, the ability to hear the type and style of message without attending a service.
I’m surprised only 5 of the 13 churches I’ve visited and blogged so far distribute their sermons in this manner. (See below for related iPod/mp3 sermon availability status. If I’ve made errors in this listing, I’ll correct them if brought to my attention.)
AUGUST 12, 2008 - 4:09 PM
Recently I blogged my visit to Church of Christ South Anchorage. Despite favorable or unfavorable visit experiences, it's unusual to be invited back by a visited church. Despite that norm, I did receive an invitation for a return visit, for a Sunday evening service, from Willard Holliday, pastor. I took him up on it.
Not Your Ordinary Presenters
What was so unusual about my return visit was the service was entirely led by youth of this remarkable church. Ranging in age from 11 to 18, they shared in the responsibilities of leading an inspiring service. I counted nine (9) participants leading music, praying, reading scripture, and officiating over the Lord’s Supper.
AUGUST 4, 2008 - 11:02 PM
City Church - Sign on Side of Church - (Main Sign Missing)I’ve long intended to attend Anchorage City Church. I was intrigued during my Abbott Loop visit when Dick Iverson mentioned he needed to finish his sermon as he was due to speak at City Church that day at 12. The City Church main webpage used to descirbe what one might expect during a visit. However, it had been removed prior to my visit. A charismatic church experience was suggested in the previous verbiage on the website. Not having a charismatic background, but prepared to be a witness in worship, I was traveling blind. I arrived at 11:50 A.M. July 27 for the 12 p.m. service.
JULY 30, 2008 - 1:42 PM
Some comments to this blog have expressed concerns that I need to designate my theology and then pick a church based on that theology. As I see it, they are concerned I may visit their church and comment on it when it may be contrary to my theology. So, their point is I should pick a theology and then pursue a church to fit this theology – end of story.
This is more easily said than done and suggests a dogmatic view of religion. If it's that simple, any of us could pursue BeliefNet's "Belief-O-Matic. Answer 20 questions and you will be told what religion you are practicing or should be practicing. Wow!
JULY 26, 2008 - 9:50 PM
Holy Family Cathedral SignageWhile not a stranger to Roman Catholic services, I don’t often attend their services, due in part, to my Protestant background. One of the responses to my blog suggested I visit Holy Family Cathedral in downtown Anchorage. I put this suggestion in the hopper and finally visited the church on July 13. Located downtown at 5th and H, it is a prominent local landmark. There are many rites within the Catholic Church. A call to the church office confirmed Holy Family follows the Roman Rite .
JULY 22, 2008 - 2:46 PM
Did you know that many foreign countries have begun to send missionaries to Europe and the United States? This is due, in part, to some of the same religious shifts documented in my July 10 blog post sparked by the Pew Forum study released earlier this year. Additionally, Anchorage Daily News Columnist Julia O’Malley, in her recent front page article, Believe it or not, Alaska's one of nation's least religious states , uncovered another underlying reason from the same Pew Forum study - that Alaska's church attendance is among the lowest in the U.S.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.
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