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
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
Beer & Hymns Coming - April 7 - 4/1/2013 10:15 pm
Still Visiting: Computers Are (Mostly) Down (But Here We Go!)
Posted: August 6, 2012 - 6:18 pm
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UPDATE - 8/17/12
Well, after two weeks, my computer repair vendor finally said said it wasn't the hard drive after all but the motherboard. Not putting any more money into either the repair or parts. I was able to restore an older computer and am using it now. Posts will start flowing post haste! Thank you for your patience.
PREVIOUSLY
What a Great Idea! Does your church do this?
Posted: July 26, 2012 - 12:22 pm
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I receive newsletters from a few of the churches I visit, a welcome and appreciated gesture. Amazing Grace Lutheran Church (AGLC) has been putting smiles on my face, for some time, with their pre-Sunday service newsletter. Last week’s version was titled “Commemorating a Harlot? at AGLC this Sunday”. 
Masthead of AGLC Newsletter
ChangePoint’s App Hits 1 Million Minutes of Use
Posted: July 11, 2012 - 3:49 pm
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On April 20, 2011, ChangePoint released its mobile app to the world. After less than 1 ¼ years of use, they celebrated its millionth minute of use yesterday. This is a significant achievement for Alaska’s largest church! 
ChangePoint App Splash ScreenChurch Visits blog has chronicled the ChangePoint app’s story from the beginning in these posts:
Funny But True: I’ve Seen All These Behaviors During Church Visits
Posted: July 10, 2012 - 11:59 am
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Please take a minute to watch this brief YouTube video What if Starbucks Marketed Like a Church? A Parable. by clicking the title.
Modern-day Slavery Addressed at Turnagain UMC
Posted: July 6, 2012 - 5:09 pm
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Unusual Program by Anchorage Church Standards
Rarely does my social consciousness get raised in my many Anchorage area church visits. Bob, a good Rotary friend, emailed me of an upcoming presentation dealing with Sexual Slavery scheduled to be presented at
A Mall Church That Works
Posted: June 28, 2012 - 3:32 pm
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Surprised
I’ve not had great experiences with shopping mall churches, that is, until June 10. It was then I visited Dimond Grace Fellowship. Located on the 2nd floor at the Diamond Center Mall, they offered a great worship experience without the expensive-to-maintain trappings of many modern churches.
Christianity Today Presents Three Short-Term Missions Experts
Posted: June 28, 2012 - 12:37 pm
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Earlier this week Christianity Today presented a series of essays by three short-term missions experts: Brian M. Howell, David Livermore, and Robert J. Priest. Titled "Should Churches Abandon Travel-Intensive Short-Term Missions in Favor of Local Projects?" This special feature presents various points of view on this contentious topic I've addressed in a recent Compass article in the Anchorage Daily News, and a previous blog post.
My Recent Compass Column
Posted: June 21, 2012 - 5:02 pm
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The following items provide links to readings or videos related to my recent Anchorage Daily News Compass column on short-term mission vs. local addressable needs by churches.
[Update and Brief Review] Recent Donald Owens Organ Concert at Turnagain UMC
Posted: June 3, 2012 - 9:20 am
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Update:
Here's a Shocker! 750 hours
Posted: May 31, 2012 - 2:43 pm
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Ever wonder why Christian youth can't seem to make faith-based decisions, or are perplexed as to whether or not the voice of God is really talking to them?
Foodstock IV: An Under-Attended Anchorage Treat!
Posted: May 24, 2012 - 2:27 pm
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Almost Missed This One
Pastor Dan Bollerud invited me to attend their Foodstock IV: The Greening folk concert fundraiser at his church, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church (COSLC), on May 11. Without this invitation I’d have had no awareness of this concert.
10 Anchorage Churches With Great Music
Posted: May 16, 2012 - 5:56 pm
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Recently I posted my comments on loud music in churches. I've received a number of responses, personally, and comments in the blog regarding those thoughts. So far, these responses support less rowdy, more reverent music, with reduced emphasis and attention upon the worship leader and/or performers.
Faith Presbyterian – Palm Sunday 2012
Posted: April 29, 2012 - 7:00 pm
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Faith Presbyterian was selected as my Church Visits church on Palm Sunday because it listed at the top of a Google search of Anchorage churches offering Palm Sunday services. They meet at Tanglewood Golf Chalet on Brayton Drive in South Anchorage. Although technically a Palm Sunday service, it clearly was not in the traditional sense.
Sabbaticals: Does Your Pastor Get One?
Posted: April 27, 2012 - 4:07 pm
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Trinity Presbyterian’s Senior Pastor, Tom Letts, has received a Lilly Clergy Renewal Grant for a sabbatical. His departure will be marked at a special Sabbatical Sendoff party at 11:30 a.m. after their regular 10:30 a.m. service this coming Sunday, April 29. I don’t know what they are planning, but it should be a fun time, knowing the Trinity folk.
Loud Music in Anchorage Churches: The Problem
Posted: April 21, 2012 - 7:35 pm
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I’m seeing a disturbing trend in some Anchorage churches. They dish out sound at potentially ear damaging levels. In most cases the music in question is contemporary Christian or Christian Rock. Some musicians even quote scripture in defense of this practice, and put down worshipers who object.
Easter Sunday: 3 Expressions of Celebration
Posted: April 14, 2012 - 3:47 pm
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I enjoy celebrating Easter in ways that bring glory to God, and de-emphasizes man. There is already too much "self" and not enough of God in much of today's religious expression. To this end, I visited three churches on Easter Sunday to experience the joy of “He is Risen”. The following a brief account of each of those services I visited.
Sunrise Service – Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
Happy Easter 2012!
Posted: April 8, 2012 - 12:26 am
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I'll be attending several services around town, tweeting the ones I'm at, as appropriate.
Celebrate & Share the Good News!
Well-known British theologian, and prolific author N.T. Wright offers some great Easter celebration advice in his book Surprised by Hope.
Good Friday 2012 Reflections
Posted: April 6, 2012 - 10:56 pm
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After a wonderful Good Friday hour of hymns, John Rutter’s Requiem worshipfully and beautifully rendered, scripture readings, and removal of religious articles at St. John United Methodist Church, the choir and congregation departed the sanctuary in silence. I came home to ponder the impact of Good Friday. Basically, if we don't get the significance of this dark day, we won’t get the plan of redemption. Without the plan of redemption for man, we have no hope.
Still Looking For An Easter Service?
Posted: April 6, 2012 - 8:09 am
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If you still searching for an Easter weekend service, the Anchorage Daily News Easter Worship Guide centerfold in yesterday's paper is loaded with choices. Although churches pay for these ads, they are representative of a good cross-section of local church Easter services.
Good Friday Service Recommendations
Posted: April 4, 2012 - 9:57 pm
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It's not often I recommend particular Good Friday services, but I have two this year. Good Friday observances reflect upon the darkest side of Christ's life, his trial, death, and burial.