Fishhook had the opportunity to work with an IUPUI writing class. The students were given the opportunity to secret worship a church and write about their experience. This is a 5 week blog series with their stories and experiences!
As first-time guests, my husband and I were in a state of expectancy.
You could say we did our homework, having scoped out the church’s website prior to visiting the house of worship. The site layout was clean, fresh, and easy to navigate. It wasn’t overwhelming – a good indicator. Visitor parking information, preaching style, worship preview, and other relevant features were clearly presented under an I’m New tab, allaying qualms of the unknown and addressing many of our initial questions.
Prepped with a decent notion of the layout and atmosphere, we reviewed the church’s core values, history, and mission statement to better understand their background and beliefs. John and I decided we’d attend the later service.
Sunday morning dawned and we arrived without mishap. Prominent signage led us to the visitor parking area. Parking was a cinch – the expansive lot had ample space. We nabbed a spot by the main entrance.
Making our way inside, we were greeted by a friendly gentleman who opened the door for us. A cheery girl gave John a bulletin as we entered the lobby. The spacious atrium brimmed with people, smiling and chattering in small groups outside of the sanctuary.
We blended in:
Attire ranged from formal to semi-formal, with a few casually dressed attendees interspersed in the crowd. Following fellow church-goers, we slipped into the sanctuary.
It was an auditorium. An usher greeted us warmly at the entrance as he handed John a sermon outline. The focus of the room was the stage, complete with an orchestra pit and a choir consisting of nearly 70 singers. Searching for seats, we were intercepted by a deacon. After exchanging names, he welcomed us with a sincere smile and firm handshake. We found open chairs in the right side of the sanctuary and prepared to join in the worship.
The worship team tastefully blended contemporary praise with traditional hymns, even including a Latin hymn, which the choir performed with the orchestra during offering. Words were projected on multiple screens located at focal angles, allowing the congregation to sing along with ease. Roughly 375 people were present, including the worship team. Midway through the set, church members and guests greeted one another, shaking hands and exchanging formalities. While not the most genuine welcome, it wasn’t terribly awkward either.
Following the worship, an elder announced a special occasion would take place: a baby dedication. Parents lined the stage, young families in tow, and each couple committed their infant’s life to Christ. I was touched, honored to witness the event.
Transitioning into the sermon, the pastor expounded on a passage of Scripture. Using the sermon outline as a guide, he made a few analogies, told some humorous jokes (which elicited laughter from the congregation), and incorporated solemn observations about God’s grace and Christ’s righteousness. The 34 minute study was comprehensible. Wrapping up with a song, he drew the sermon to a close.
Involvement was optional, not obligatory.
While processing the experience, I leafed through the bulletin. Its design was visually appealing. The information was presented clearly and concisely. Visitors were referred to the Guest Reception Area. Means of getting connected to the church were also provided.
Technologically, the church was savvy. From their website to the live camera feed, it was obvious they had a competent communications team. This was tempered with a desire to interact with people on a personal level. Ushers expressed kindness and exuded warmth.
As we exited the sanctuary, a woman offered John a baby bottle (to be filled with coins for Crisis Pregnancy Centers). Smiling, he gently declined, telling her we may not be returning in the near future. Taken aback, she quickly directed us to the Guest Reception Area, informing us about the open coffee bar and staff who could answer any of our questions.
In hindsight, I should’ve explained we were just visiting, since we regularly attend a home church on the south-side. Her immediate concern was sweet. We did browse the church bookstore, but passed on the coffee – a pair of coffee enthusiasts, we had brewed a pot of French-pressed goodness that morning.
We agreed it was a positive experience. Given the size of the church body, we’d been greeted warmly, welcomed by several members, and their overtures were not intrusive. We felt comfortable. Our takeaway: guests are given opportunities to become more involved. As guests, the onus was on us.