Yesterday we went to worship at Adventure of Faith Church in Port Orchard, Washington. Adventure is a Presbyterian church, although one may not recognize it as such. Previously, our elders had visited worship at Adventure. I was unable to attend.
Their web site states that they have two Sunday worship services. The earlier service is billed as “mainstream contemporary worship with a touch of traditional.” The later service is billed as “contemporary worship on the cutting edge.” Our church does a good job of blending contemporary and traditional worship styles; therefore, we attend the later service.
To be honest, I was disappointed. The preaching was fine. The rest of the service was “contemporary” but far from “cutting edge.” I had hoped to find a Presbyterian church that was doing something more along the lines of Mars Hill or Saddleback.
Positive things:
• Good signage in the church. Outside signs even directed a visitor to the “front” door.”
• Welcome booth was easy to locate.
• Coffee was in the main hallway—near the information booth.
• Mission information was also in the main hallway.
• Coffee-shop-style-tables were in the rear of the sanctuary so that people could eat a bagel or a donut during worship.
• An “alter call” was given at the end of the service.
Interesting things:
• All food served at the church had to be purchased (bagels, donuts, yogurt, etc.)
• The only time anyone said anything to us was at the “official” shake hands time—and then they only said “hello.” No one else said anything to us during our entire visit. On second thought, the greeters said “hello” to us when they handed us the bulletin. So far, none of the three churches we have visited were “welcoming.”
Adventure’s style is geared to those who have been in church before, even if they do not currently attend a church.
Final thoughts: If I were to go to Adventure again I would attend the first service. I have heard that the music is quite good that that service. The music at the second service was slightly “above average” at best.
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Brenda's comments on the service. (It's a lot of fun getting to visit the different churches.)
Other good things:
Use of technology. Visual - good use of sermon outline interspersed with live streaming of what was happening up front at that time. The person running the projector did a great job of switching to the notes at the appropriate time.
Audio - Musicians all had their own earphones.
Sermon - Very good. I liked the way he used review in the sermon. He was in week 5 of a six week series. He spent five minutes or more reviewing what had been learned prior. Good repetition for those who had been there before, and it brought me up to speed. Good use of alliteration: His 6 steps all started with "D" and I can remember most of them, still, a couple days later. Good sermon notes: Enough structure to provide a good resource, but not so structured that he lost flexibility of where he went with the sermon. Good use of the words "Adventure of faith" in the context of the sermon. He clearly linked the name of the church with life in Christ.
Interesting (cutting edge) things: Presbyterian church without a written order of worship, responsive readings, etc, just a list of the songs planned for that day. Offering was taken during announcements - no music. Pastoral prayer doubled as the closing prayer (a time saver).
I liked the verse/vision statement written on the church wall in the entry hall.
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