This is my second church review. I was quite pleased to learn that a few people actually read the first one!
My intent in these is not to critique as much it is too share what to expect if you were to visit the church. As I was thinking of this second entry I decided that I needed a snappy name for this new blog, or at least a tag line. Something like "keeping the chosen few from a boring pew". See? I need your help.
Church Review is quite boring.
Last Sunday I attended Daybreak church located on 3501 Baldwin St in Hudsonville. Years ago I imagine this was just an empty corn field. Now it is home to the modern, hip church known as Daybreak. This past Sunday, hundreds of cars poured into the parking lot.
Sometimes you can get a feel for how a church will be as you drive onto the grounds. One of the more true criticisms of the modern day church is that many churches are not filled with very friendly people. Sure, many churches have a short "meet and greet time", but often feels a bit forced. I have yet to hear of any lifelong friendships that were born from these times.
"Hey, nice to meet you! Let's be friends forever!!!"
You can envision it can't you? The speaker would have a crazed look in his eye slightly tempered with a "please love me" tint. This would also mix with the thought that if you ever DO see this person again you will turn and walk away praying they hadn't seen you. And you also decide that there is no way you would ever go in their basement.
No, this didn't happen to me at Daybreak. Quite the opposite. As I pulled up in my car, a nice shiny Mercedes which I happen to have for sale.... Sorry.
As we were pulling into the parking lot I espied a sign welcoming first time guests, which I was, of course. Entering the parking lot there was a huge sign welcoming me and my kids into a VIP parking spot.
Don't mind if I do. Yeah, I need the exercise but you can't pass up hospitality. That would be rude.
The building is very modern and looks great. I am sure it can't be more than 5 years old. It is not nearly as elaborately furnished as Wellspring, but it was nice. I didn't feel like I had to take my shoes off for fear of dirtying the carpet. There is kind of a book store right outside the doors of the sanctuary. You know, just in case you feel like purchasing a book as soon as church is done. I know that I have often just got done with a church service and thought "Man! If only I could buy a book RIGHT NOW." If this describes you, Dayspring has you covered. Just so ya know.
As you walk into the "sanctuary" (actually more of an auditorium), you once again get that rock concert feel. The room is quite dark and music is already playing. Dark enough that you are unable to spot the potentially "too friendly" people. There is a raised stage at the front and the musicians perform there. The music was very good- notably the guitarist and one of the singers really stood out. One of the unique aspects of Daybreak is that they record their services to broadcast on TV. This is a key point of their DNA. In fact, their website is daybreak.tv. So that kind of gives you an idea. The camera man did a good job of staying mostly out of view. I have been to churches where the camera man is roaming around the stage during the service, going right up to singers or musicians. This is distracting for me. But as you have probably guessed by reading this, I am quite easily dist OH look! A chipmunk!
See?
There is one thing I find to be true that happens when someone knows they are on camera. They perform.
When my daughter Kate was 3, every time you pulled out a camera, she would start saying "CHEEEESE" incessantly. It wasn't until much later we discovered that she was actually hungry.
Seriously, I think it is very difficult not to be camera conscious. We are raised to be aware of being on camera. Especially when that image is being projected onto a screen as big as the side of your house. And going to end up on TV. This might be the first service where I didn't feel compelled to sing at all. And I didn't. I love to sing and often find the praise and worship portion of the service to be the part I enjoy the most. Again, the music was very good, I just didn't feel that my participation was... needed? I must point out that I did see many people in the congregation singing. Just not me. One other comment, if you are hard of hearing, you won't need your hearing aids here. Dear me, did I just complain about how loud it was? And did I actually use "dear me"?
The senior pastor is Wes Dupin. He immediately makes you feel at ease. He is obviously very comfortable on stage. His sermon was taken from John 13:1-17. For those unfamiliar of this portion of Scripture and being too lazy to look it up yourselves, it is the story of when Jesus washes his disciples feet. Wes tied the story into volunteering and serving at the church. The sermon was well delivered and the point was clear. He didn't get loud, excited or accusatory. It was if you were listening to an old friend talking to you.
Towards the end of the service, he invited up 3 people he works with, volunteers and staff, and sort of washed their feet as an object lesson.
I have seen this same thing done numerous times, and it never gets old for me. If there are any pastors out there reading this, I strongly encourage you to add object lessons and film clips or whatever to your messages whenever possible. Being a former pastor myself, I know that many pastors think that their messages don't need such things. Thinking that they have such anointing and talent that you don't need to resort to such shenanigans. You are wrong.
You need them.
Yeah, some of your congregation loves what you say and listens attentively to everything you say to catch the pearls of wisdom spilling from your pie orifice. Some of these would be the aforementioned super friendlies. But...
A portion of your congregation thinks you are boring.
They attend because they like the worship, have friends there, feel pressured, etc.
Help these poor people out! Break it up a little! Even Paul used object lessons. He had a guy fall out of the window and die and then brought him back to life. How's THAT for breaking up a sermon! You can't even escape it by dying.
"AAAAAAHHHHH"
Thud.
Screaming.
"Hold up a minute everyone."
Prayer.
Resurrection.
"Now, where was I?"
Brilliant. But don't try it.
At the end of the sermon we were encouraged to bring up cards and put them in boxes on the stage. The cards listed the ministries at the church and you checked which ones you wanted more information on or wanted to volunteer for. All in all it was a solid message about serving. It never dragged and took about 35-40 minutes.
After the service I stopped by "The Lounge" to get my free coffee cup. I was not disappointed. Inside the gift bag was indeed a coffee cup which my daughter Molly will put to good use. I was very impressed by the ladies that greeted us. I was quite surprised to see one of the worship team leaders back there. Generally the worship team does there thing and lays low. It was good to see her participating in that ministry. The main woman we talked to, Barbara, was very nice. She engaged my children as well as talking to me for just long enough.
I am enjoying this whole church review thing. Even if not many people read it, I am apparently going to get quite the coffee mug collection for my daughter.
