Church visits
Visiting: As a student of religion, I've seen how various factors in a church visit affect spiritual growth and religious attitudes as one searches for a church home. I visit churches to observe, firsthand, how they present themselves to visitors. My visits, with a few exceptions, focus on Christian churches. This blog contains accounts of those visits, and related posts. I look for the following in my visits:
• Friendliness and warmth
• Genuine welcome, true Christian hospitality
• Effective, well-delivered bible-based main teaching
• Music deepening the worship, not just entertainment
Map to churches I have visited.
My email: churchvisits@gmail.com
Archive
Visiting Anchorage - Looking for a Friendly Service? - 5/19/2013 11:16 am
Guest Post: Why Theology Matters to Musicians - 5/4/2013 4:09 pm
Easter Without the Trimmings at Cornerstone Church - 4/18/2013 10:06 pm
Central Christian Finally Updates Website Worship Times - 4/10/2013 10:15 pm
Beer & Hymns: Great Fun & Successful Fundraiser - 4/9/2013 10:19 pm
REMINDER: Beer & Hymns tonight! - 4/7/2013 11:38 am
UPDATE: Central Christian's Posted Worship Time on Website Still Wrong! - 4/7/2013 11:24 am
Central Christian Disappoints -- BIG TIME! - 4/2/2013 3:03 pm
Bach Chorale Concert Tonight - Anchorage Lutheran 7:30 p.m.
Posted: December 21, 2012 - 9:13 am
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On December 21st, Friday evening at 7:30 pm, Central Lutheran Church Choir will join a community choir singing J.S. Bach's magnificent Christmas Cantata "Gloria in excelsis" at Anchorage Lutheran Church (1420 "N" St.).
The concert will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Musicians from Central Lutheran will be featured vocal soloists, and Tai Wai Li the conductor.
Blue Christmas/Longest Night Services – 12/21/12
Posted: December 20, 2012 - 11:29 pm
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Tomorrow, Friday December 21, 2012 is winter solstice. A few Anchorage churches are having Blue Christmas and/or Longest Night services.
Advent Reflection: Pastor Mark Goodman
Posted: December 20, 2012 - 12:46 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. Our next pastor featured is Mark Goodman, Senior Pastor of Rabbit Creek Community Church.
Advent Reflection: Father Marc Dunaway
Posted: December 19, 2012 - 9:48 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. Our next pastor featured is Fr. Marc Dunaway of Saint John Orthodox Cathedral, Eagle River.
Advent Reflection: Chaplain Rolf Holmquist
Posted: December 18, 2012 - 8:30 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. Our next pastor featured is Chaplain Rolf Holmquist, Maj. USAF, 673 ABW/HC JBER.
Advent Reflection: Pastor Brent Williams
Posted: December 17, 2012 - 11:04 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. Our next pastor featured is Pastor Brent Williams of True North Church.
Baxter Road Bible Church - Third Advent Blessing
Posted: December 16, 2012 - 7:29 pm
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After rereading Pastor Bob Mather's Advent Reflection today, I figured it was time for me to revisit this growing congregation. Baxter Road Bible Church is stable spiritually and growing rapidly, in marked contrast to other congregations in town. While BRBC does not follow the liturgy of Advent, they certainly aggressively pursue the intent of Advent.
It's Third Advent Sunday 2012
Posted: December 16, 2012 - 8:46 am
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Third Advent Wreath
Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent; one more Sunday left before Christmas. The first two Advent candles, the HOPE and PEACE candles, are relit. Then the third Advent candle representing JOY is lit. Many traditions use a pink candle on this day.
Advent Reflection: Pastor Bob Mather
Posted: December 16, 2012 - 8:01 am
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. Our next pastor featured is Pastor Bob Mather of Baxter Road Bible Church.
Advent Reflection: Pastor Carlo Rapanut
Posted: December 15, 2012 - 6:35 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. Our next pastor featured is Pastor Carlo Rapanut, United Methodist Church of Chugiak.
Advent Reflection: Pastor Steve Holsinger
Posted: December 14, 2012 - 8:59 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. Our next pastor featured is Steve Holsinger, Senior Pastor, Faith Christian Community.
Advent From a Hospital Room Revisited
Posted: December 13, 2012 - 11:36 pm
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Two years ago tonight, I posted a blog entry from the bedside of my dying mother. She died two days later. I'm reposting it because it is certainly germane to Advent and of caring. Last weekend, a local pastor was seriously injured in a highway accident and is still in the hospital. This happened a few hours after I heard him preach and minister to his congregation. I hope his congregation offers him the same care and concern he gives them.
Advent Reflection: Rector James Basinger
Posted: December 13, 2012 - 8:33 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. Our next pastor featured is Reverend Jim Basinger, Rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church.
Advent Reflection: Pastor Martin Dasler
Posted: December 12, 2012 - 5:14 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. The next pastor featured is Pastor Martin Dasler of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church.
Advent Reflection: Chaplain Rick Cavens
Posted: December 11, 2012 - 3:21 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. The next pastor featured is Rick Cavens, Chaplain-176 Air Wing, Alaska Air National Guard.
Advent Reflection: Pastor Rick Benjamin
Posted: December 10, 2012 - 12:50 pm
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I've asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors to comment upon Advent as an Antidote for Acquisitiveness or Consumerism. The first pastor to be featured is Rick Benjamin, former Sr. Pastor of Abbott Loop Community Church. Pastor Rick is the Director of Organizational and Spiritual Wellness at Hope Community Resources
Church Visits Google Map Goes Over 10,000 Visits!
Posted: December 9, 2012 - 3:40 pm
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People are looking for Anchorage churches to visit. The custom Google map of churches I've created, based on my visits to them, has just gone over 10,000 visits. View my map by clicking HERE.
Google Map of Churches I've Visited
It's Second Advent Sunday 2012
Posted: December 8, 2012 - 11:06 pm
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The 2nd Advent candle, The Bethlehem Candle, the Candle of Peace, will be lit today in services around Anchorage. Advent is a wonderful time of year to worship the coming King, reflect on the promises related to his promised coming, and to prepare one's heart for the celebration of the birth of a King.
Vivaldi's Gloria - St. John UMC - Sunday 7 p.m. - Don't Miss It!
Posted: December 6, 2012 - 1:17 pm
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Karen Horton, Choir Director and Organist of St. John UMC has prepared an Advent treat for the Anchorage community this coming Sunday, December 9 @ 7 p.m.
Advent Thoughts by Walter Brueggemann
Posted: December 2, 2012 - 8:52 am
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The grace and the impatience to wait
In our secret yearnings
we wait for your coming, and in our grinding despair
we doubt that you will.
And in this privileged place
we are surrounded by witnesses who yearn more than we.
Look upon your church and its pastors
in this season of hope
which runs so quickly to fatigue
and this season of yearning
which becomes so easily quarrelsome.
Give us the grace and the impatience
to wait for your coming to the bottom of our toes,