My Visit on Sunday, August 26

"Good morning, we're glad you're here." "Good Morning. God bless you." "Hi there, its nice to see you."

Three people greeted me within the first 30 seconds of my visit at today's church. And they all smiled! (I’m not sure, but I think they may have actually meant what they said, too!) It was a nice treat after the 15-minute traffic jam I endured just to get into one of the church's parking garages.

This isn't a small church. They manage to "compaq-t" a lot of people into the building.

Worship was lively and held to a high standard of quality. I was grateful to find a church that knows the importance of quality when it comes to music. I know a lot of churches where "little Johnny" gets to play his clarinet for worship whenever he wants to. (Alright, I'll be honest: I was little Johnny in my home church.) But I've learned that nothing leads people closer to the heart of God than excellent music in worship. There are exceptions to that rule: I realize that nothing feeds little Johnny's ego (or, at that age, my ego) like getting to perform in church...but when worship becomes a congregation's show-and-tell time (forgetting the importance of music quality), its time for some focus-adjustment.

A church's architecture can also either carry someone close to God -- or leave them with a sense of his distance. A church's facility says a lot about what it values. I was sad that there wasn't a cross anywhere in the worship hall. Maybe that's intentional. Maybe its not. Maybe it is left out because it reflects the saddest part of the Christian story. Maybe its too confusing a symbol. I don't know why it’s not in there. But I do know that I miss not seeing it when I worship.

I do know there was a giant illuminated American flag positioned above the rear of the worship hall . . . Hmm, a big flag and no cross . . . I’m not sure why that decision was made.

All things considered, this church exceeded my expectations. I have heard other people talk of visiting this church -- with reports both favorable and unfavorable. I wanted to experience it for myself -- and apparently a lot of other people do, too. I’m glad I went. It was a good example of what happens when a lot of attention – and resources – are given to worship planning.