stainedglass's blog

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Anchorage churches rarely present anything of note for the local community. When they do, it seems attendees tend to support these events along denominational lines, although that truly has little to do with sponsoring churches or their theology.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

Last week I posted research results from the Barna Group about six key reasons youth and young adults are deserting church.

Predictably, some readers expressed opinions on this blog as to why they thought this was happening.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

Don’t Get Out Much
My church visits usually revolve around Anchorage proper, but when I get out to our local communities to the North (Eagle River, Chugiak, Birchwood, etc.), I usually have a unique experience. This was the case a week ago, when on January 15 I visited Eagle River Grace, sited not far past Chugiak High, on an invitation.

Greetings and Hospitality Say Much

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

Just got word of an important spiritual play coming to Anchorage’s Wendy Williamson Auditorium on February 11. You’ll want to plan ahead to enjoy this rewarding evening.

What is this play about?

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As I travel from church to church in Anchorage, I’ve noticed fewer and fewer youth attending church. In many churches, I see virtually no youth at all. I’ve been perplexed by this, wondering what the driving reasons are. Some churches have instituted programs to attract and capture the missing youth, or retain those still attending. I shake my head when I see this because so often churches create “programs” as solutions for issues deeper than they seem to understand.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

Tonight I attended a wonderful church service in East Anchorage which left me tingly and warm. Anchorage Moravian Church is located in a warren of streets not far from the Muldoon curve. Arriving just before the 6:30 p.m. service, I found a parking lot mostly devoid of cars.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

Each year, based on my church visits and observations for the year just ended, I look forward to sharing things I believe churches can do, or do better to be more welcoming to members and guests, increasing attendance, and membership at the same time. Many of these things seem to appear on my lists year after year, because churches do little or nothing about them. Did you know guests decide in 5-8 minutes if they’ll ever return. How does your church fare?

Warmly Greet Each Guest and Member

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All month, I’ve been featuring a unique giving program adopted by Baxter Road Bible Church. With their December theme of “It’s Not Your Birthday”, they’ve demonstrated to the Anchorage community their understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

A Google search located a goodly number of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services in Anchorage churches. I used the search terms anchorage church services christmas 2011 and found many pages of local church service offerings.

Additionally, the Anchorage Daily News published, in their December 10 "A Section" centerfold, an extensive listing of local church ads and services scheduled for Christmas Eve and day.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

I’ve been captivated this Advent season with the ongoing story of giving by Baxter Road Bible Church (BRBC). Under their December theme of “It’s not your birthday”, they are giving 100% of church income to local community charities, and smaller ministries. BRBC Sr. Pastor Bob Mather has been graciously sharing news of their progress with Church Visits. This church of some three-hundred (300) has been giving in an unbelievable fashion.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

Last Sunday, a snowy day in Anchorage and Third Advent Sunday, I visited Our Lady of Guadalupe in Turnagain for the 11:30 a.m. Mass. The service was in Spanish and the church was packed.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

Last week I shared information regarding an incredible leap of faith and devotion to the true spirit of Christmas at Baxter Road Bible Church. The entire month of December they are giving 100% of church income to those less fortunate in our community, with special emphasis on local missions.

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It’s a chilly, winter morning in Anchorage but many worshippers will be observing the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Last Sunday, a blustery, stormy day, found me visiting several mid-Hillside churches. Trinity Presbyterian was first on my list as I was curious about their “big announcement”.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

I just became aware of one Anchorage church employing the right idea for selflessly observing Christmas. According to Sr. Pastor Bob Mather, “Our theme for December is “It’s Not Your Birthday””.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

Second Advent Sunday’s theme is peace. At services, the second candle in the Advent wreath will be lit, joining the first candle, the candle of hope. The Old Testament reading from Isaiah ("Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God...") embodies one of the most beautiful passages of scripture we have. Made more familiar, as Handel used it extensively in The Messiah, it prefigures the ministry of John the Baptist as recalled in the Gospel reading in Mark, also used by Handel.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

This time last year I spent Advent by my mother’s side as her long life slowly faded away. Before I left Anchorage, I stopped by St. Mary’s Episcopal for a service. The Episcopal way is not in my family tradition, but during my life I've found meaningful moments in several of their churches.

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Sunday, November 27 is the start of the liturgical year, four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is celebrated by most Christian churches worldwide. Taken from the Latin word “Adventus”, which means “coming”, Advent has been celebrated since the 6th century.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

A Google and ADN search turns up the following Thanksgiving Eve services options in our community. If churches mention such a service on their website, Google will likely find it. I’m glad to see these churches offering services.

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Summary

A friendly initial greeting, military tributes, upbeat music, Bible-based sermon, huge push for commitment to buy their land and buildings, and a free ACF mug added up to a primarily positive impression for my November 6 visit. No sermon audio posted yet, although two subsequent sermons have been. I’d probably do a return visit to this convenient Eagle River church if I wasn’t regularly visiting other churches.

Follow my church visit activity at Twitter.com/ChurchVisits

If you do not know what an app is, you must not use a smartphone. October 20 recently marked the six-month point since ChangePoint released their app. As I met with Adam Legg, ChangePoint’s Director of Communications, it was obvious he was pleased with the growing adoption, worldwide, of their app.