Church VI- Fresh Fruit on the Branches

Well, it’s been a while since I posted, but I have marked off 2 visits! If you are just joining me I had quite an experience at my last church. I was very impressed with the service and the people. The church has a very extensive reach with 2 more campuses in the metroplex; so I wanted to investigate further, I’m not readily accepting of things that may seem too good to be true. The only thing left to do was visit the other two!  You shall know them by their fruits, right? So why not tap on the other branches?

I visited the Denton branch, which is a distinctly college town. I took my roomie Thais with me, typically I go alone, but it was a particularly overwhelming day at work, and we both needed some solid Jesus time. I know for a fact that going solo marks a pronounced difference in my ability to gauge a newcomer’s experience. When you go to church with someone you can assimilate into the crowd without notice; a person sitting alone elicits much different reactions. This is something for a married couple, or pair of friends visiting a church that are never approached to consider.  

What does a distinctly college town have loads of? College students, by the truckloads. I am NOT a fan, I’m so happy that I am past that age. Which is why this blog probably won’t be about a college-life group or be- still- my- heart singles ministry anytime soon. I may have to become a little more seasoned before I could muster the will!

 We planned on going to the first evening service, but we both misjudged the distance, and decided to catch the next showing…ahem, service. We parked in the parking lot without much resistance from traffic. It looked like the scant burb crowd was packing up their strollers…and the hipsters were out in force. We walked into the chapel which was shockingly small, until I saw the second balcony. I was not sure how big that was, but from the commotion I think it seated far more than the ground floor. We were early enough to get second row seats, would have been first row if not for an antsy guy, not even 20 years old, holding 5 seats. I wondered how long he could last before breaking under the pressure as hundreds of students poured in.  He pulled out all of the stops though. First, just keeping an eye on them, which gave way as they came in on both sides. Then, he pulled out bulletins and placed them into X’s to hold the seat when his back was turned.  I pointed out the irony to Thais that the bulletin specifically advised to not save seats.  He had a lot of nerve! It was 2 minutes to service when his party finally arrived, I breathed a sigh of relief that Mr. seat holder had not been Holy Ghost handled by an usher; pure drama!

The campus pastor welcomed all, specifically the students which is completely redundant. After thorough searching Thais and I found a guy over 30…I’m betting he was probably a return student too. They introduced a new worship leader and we sang one very heartfelt and genuine song, however, the lady singing with him did not seem very excited to be there. Maybe she sang the last 5 services?

Then almost without warning the screen came on with the Pastor. The sermon was well crafted, and ALMOST didn’t seem weird that he had preached it that morning and was via satellite. Finally my brain caught up to my eyes and I realized that they green screened him.  There was no background behind him, he was just floating; after I came to that realization I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Who were the video guys? I wonder how long it took for them to decide no background was better then what was there? Perhaps because the 2 locations were so drastically different they decided it best to make it generic across the board.

All in all the sermon was still both convicting and uplifting, a very dynamic duo if you ask me. After the sermon we were led in a couple more songs, including a new one that had the guys sing, and then the girls echo. I was reminded of my friend Baileigh who wondered aloud about that particular song function, I agree with her that it tends to make you focus more on the song then the One you are singing it to.  Finally, it was time for communion. The worship leader explained the process, and also invited non-members, but believers to partake, and did ask that non- believers exclude themselves. I found that quite honorable. It was also refreshing to see that they explained it fully even though I am betting not a person in there had not heard the communion message.  

We took communion and we were dismissed. Mr. seat saver and some of his posse introduced themselves, but beyond that we were invisible. But it seems that the church has the right setup in place so that the only way to remain invisible is if you choose to be. You can lead a horse to water, but aside from throwing in some koolaid to sweeten the waters, you can’t make them drink. <<< ohhh that will preach! Ha! I would probably come here again, seeing as it is the closest to my home, but I’m not sure if I could hack the single generational landscape. Perhaps the first evening service? The fruit is fresh!

For now it’s on to the third branch.