Church visits

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


Contributors

Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson

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.

Archive

Coming...Christian Church of Anchorage - 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

Surprised at Abbott Loop Community Church - 6/28/2008 10:52 am

N.T. Wright, a New Testament Scholar Worth Discovering - 6/27/2008 4:56 pm

St. Mary's Episcopal Church...Reserved But Warm - 6/20/2008 8:52 am

Is it Unrealistic for a Visitor to Expect a Warm Welcome? - 6/19/2008 6:14 pm

Rabbit Creek Community Church: Warm and Welcoming - 6/14/2008 4:07 pm

It's About Time...To Post Worship Service Times Prominently on Church Websites - 6/12/2008 9:48 am

Faith...It's Not Just a Religious Term - 6/10/2008 2:57 pm

Five Church Visits Down - Pause for Reflection - 6/4/2008 11:00 pm

ABT - Is Bigger Better? - 5/27/2008 4:20 pm

Huddling with the Congregationals - 5/23/2008 2:00 pm

Changes Coming to ChangePoint? - 5/19/2008 10:24 pm

full archive »

Why this blog?

Posted by Chris Thompson

Posted: May 5, 2008 - 12:38 pm

I’ve been looking for a church. Not just any church but one relevant to my own particular walk.

Brought up in a strict, conservative, evangelical church, and educated primarily in church schools and colleges, I felt the need to discover, on my own, the necessary foundations for my belief. In this quest I have visited and worshipped with many streams of religious persuasion.

Occasionally, I’ve discovered some great belief communities, only to realize later that there was something amiss at the core.

During my journey, of necessity I have been exposed to many churches and congregations. As entrance conduits to various religions, I have sometimes become disenchanted with how many of them failed in attracting hungry hordes, desperate for the meaning religion can bring to one's life. Often this failure starts at the church front door and is detectable, by an outsider, with a simple visit.

An amateur biblical scholar and student of religions, I probably come to churches knowing “too much.” My wife and I have searched, seemingly in vain, for a religious community we both can share, one that brings relevance and structure to our lives.

We are not alone. I feel a brief review of a typical church visit, and its impressions upon an observer, can be a real service to people looking for a faith community.

This blog is launched to create a meaningful dialog and useful conversation for those seeking meaning in religious worship.

The key criterion for these reviews is:
· Is the church friendly and warm? Did I truly feel welcomed?
· Was the main teaching relevant to my personal walk and was it delivered effectively?
· Did the music merely entertain or did it deepen the worship experience?

The Associate Editor of Christianity Today observed last week, “Would anyone in our community notice if our church stopped meeting?” This is a great question, one that I hope we address in this blog.

Here’s to a great conversation!


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  4     June 29, 2008 - 5:45pm | thompstd

Church Blog

Fascinating observations regarding perceptions in a quest for finding the church that is right for you. We should all apply more meaning into our personal searches to find what suits or 'fits' our religious needs. I applaud Chris for the community service that he is providing to the Anchorage community.

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  3     May 16, 2008 - 5:30pm | toklat2

Interesting and very helpful blog

i have not seen as yet another paper do a blog like
this one..it is very interesting and very helpful ..would
be in any area.

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  2     May 7, 2008 - 5:25pm | s_thyng

It's called "Burger King" religion. . . .

when you are looking for something that fits you. Recall that slogan, "Have it your way. . ." ? That's why there are so many denominations.

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  May 7, 2008 - 8:05pm | wineglass

Don't understand the Burger

Don't understand the Burger King response.

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  May 8, 2008 - 8:03am | akvalleygirl74

My understanding of the response

is that instead of looking for a particular religion that teaches Truth in it's deepest form, you look for one that makes you feel good when you are there. That's why there are so many different denominations. There are all sorts of personalities in the human race, and what one person gets out of it another person doesn't like.

I think the Burger King poster was trying to say that there maybe should be a search for a Universal Truth instead of basing your liking of a church on feelings. Feelings are neither right nor wrong, whereas Truth is Eternal. (Having never met or had a convo with the poster I'm guessing on all of this though, since that's where I would be coming from as well.)

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  May 8, 2008 - 12:17pm | concerned

Being welcomed is important.

Unfortunatley when you have a child feelings do come into play. In this world that we all live, people do like to worship in a place that will be welcoming. My partner and I could care less if someone doesn't want us in their congregation. We are just looking for recommendations for churches to check out.

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  May 12, 2008 - 9:54am | akvalleygirl74

I understand.

Isn't it sad that the mantra "and they'll know we are Christians by our love" is somehow stunted when people of other sexual orientations suddenly appear? I'm sad for you and your partner that you've had that reaction from "christian" churches. And I'm even more sad to say that you'd probably get the same reaction at my church because of what our doctrine teaches.

That being said, have you ever attended a Unitarian church? I hear they are very openminded and don't pass judgement on sexual orientation or anything else. I hope you and your family find a welcoming loving church that you feel at home at.

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  1     May 7, 2008 - 2:29pm | concerned

Where can we go!

My partner and I have longed for a church we can take our child and worship in Anchorage. Because we are gay we have found we are not welcomed in most congregations. In some cases we've actually been told we would not be welcomed back.

So much for love thy neighbor.

I know in God's eyes we are loved all the same. Where can we worship and be accepted into a church and not be judged based on our sexual orientation? Any suggestions?

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  August 5, 2008 - 12:48pm | Ben_Parker

Ask God

I hope this doesn't come off in the wrong way.

I have two basic tenants:

1. God is all knowing

2. God is all loving

If you believe that then you should ask Him what you should do. He knows what church you should join. It's been my experience that God always answers prayers, though not always in the way I wanted. I have been surprised at how well he actually knows me. I can honestly say I know that He knows everything and loves everyone, ask Him. And don't give up. He's never given me an answer without me having to do my part. I promise you He knows you and will direct you to the place you should go if you will ask in faith.

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  May 8, 2008 - 12:58pm | kirkak

Where can we go

Study your bible when you get it right you will find a church.

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  June 10, 2008 - 5:38pm | doogie64

You're welcome at our congregation - anytime

I am one of those Unitarian Universalists, you can find our fellowship on Turnagain Street (not Blvd). Be prepared, we have Christians, Atheists, Buddhists, Pagans, and more and already have several partners and their children that are a part of our community. We have a wonderful RE (religious exploration) program that's bursting at the seams (both my kids, 6yr & 14r, love to go)! We honor the inherent dignity and worth of every person, seeking the "Truth" for ourselves, social justice, and honoring the interconnectedness of human existence.
We have two services, 9am and 10:45a on Sundays. If you want to hear a thought provoking discussion on a relevant social topic the 9am is for you. If you like music, singing and more traditional worship service the 10:45a has all of that (and of course thought provoking discussions!)

I look forward to meeting you!

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  June 29, 2008 - 10:33pm | stainedglass

Unitarian Universalists - I'm coming

I'd love to attend one of your services. When you least expect it I'll be there. Appreciate your noting this for me. ct

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