Sunday, June 15, 2008

Virginia

Be the first to list your church. Simply post a comment with the following short info:

Name of church
City
Website
What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?)
What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?)
What's the childcare like?
What's your favorite thing?
What would you change?
Can I wear jeans?

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Name of church:
Warrenton United Methodist

City:
Warrenton, Virginia

Website:
www.warrentonumc.org

What's the worship music like?
It depends on the service...
8:00 a.m. - hymns with organ. Overall service is kind of quiet and small. Handbells play monthly.

9:30 - contemporary christian music with a band. Kind of a rock feel with occasional old school remixes. (Held in sanctuary)

9:35 - contemporary christian with guitar. Kind of a folk feel in a coffee house setting. (Held in fellowship with seating at tables and couches. Coffee and goodies available during worship.)

11:00 - hymns with organ, special music from choir weekly, and handbells play monthly.

What's the speaking like?
Live preaching in santuary for all services, video preaching in the coffee house (video feed from 9:30 service upstairs sent to fellowship hall). Culturally relevant utilizing videos when appropraite. Sermon outline notes available weekly.

What's the childcare like?
Nursery available at all services (from 8 a.m. through noon, for infants through 3 years old.)
Sunday School for ages 3-teen at 9:30
Children's church (ages 3 - second grade) starts in sanctuary then moves to room C-11.

What's your favorite thing?
Coffee from the coffee house :D

What would you change?
Wish folks would wear name tags - they're there, but people always forget!

Can I wear jeans?
Absolutely!!

Anonymous said...

Name of church: Abingdon Bible

City: Abingdon, VA

Website: www.abingdonbiblechurch.org

What's the worship music like?
A blend of contemporary worship, oldies (of the Michael W. Smith genre) and hymns. We have a praise team with acoustical instruments, keyboard & drums as well as a choir and traditional piano & organ.

What's the speaking like?
Bible teaching (rather than "preaching") -- culturally relevant messages

What's the childcare like?
Church members provide volunteer nursery care, children's church, AWANAS, MOPS, VBS

What's your favorite thing? Everyone there is very kind and genuinely concerned about getting to know you. This is a church where if you're not there, someone calls you to say you were missed

What would you change?
I would add a true contemporary-only worship service

Can I wear jeans?
Yes -- you will see people wearing jeans more in the early service (younger crowd). The 11:00 service tends to have more "traditional" people.

Gina said...

Name of church:
Immanuel Bible Church

City:
Springfield, VA

Website:
http://www.immanuelbible.net

What's the worship music like?
Choir and orchestra lead worship three times a month; "Highest Praise" ensemble and band lead once a month. Generally, there's plenty of both traditional and contemporary -- as the worship leader puts it, we try to use the best from every era. I think it works really well (but I'm in the choir, so I'm biased!). More here: http://www.immanuelbible.net/community/music/

What's the speaking like?
Old-school Bible; brief video intros to most sermons; other short video clips on occasion. Live preaching in sanctuary. Satellite campuses with video are in the planning stages.

What's the childcare like?
Nursery and children's church/Sunday school available. See details here: http://www.immanuelbible.net/family/children/unionstation.php

What's your favorite thing?
The music ministry.

What would you change?
The young adult ministry could use a few changes, I think. I haven't gone much, but in my (limited) experience and the experience of some of my friends, the emphasis is a little too much on the "young" and not quite enough on the "adult." (That is, everything seems more geared to the college-aged group than to the rest of us.)

Can I wear jeans?
You can, but you'll be in the minority. In the sanctuary -- I'm not sure what the young adults are doing these days -- you'll see lots of nice shirts and slacks, suits, and dresses and skirts. But jean-wearers will not be snubbed or thrown out. :-)

Unknown said...

Name of church: Bridgeway 242, Services are 6pm on Sunday.

City: Balston (Arlington), in the fellowship hall of Central United Methodist Church

Website: www.bridgeway242.org

What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?) Contemporary, hymns with faster rhythm stuff like that...

What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?) Culturally relevant

What's the childcare like? When needed a mother from the church plays with kids in the nursery. Normally there's only 1 or 2 kids.

What's your favorite thing? After the church service (6pm on Sundays), we have dinner together. Our name and dinner idea comes from Acts 2:42. No charge. just fellowship and community.

What would you change? The fellowship hall location.

Can I wear jeans? Heck yeah. If you don't wear jeans you're in the minority.

Anonymous said...

Name of church:

Nanesmond River Baptist Church

City:
- Suffolk

Website:
- www.nansemondriver.org/

What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?)
- Contemporary, with guitars and drums even!

What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?)
- Biblical teachings, but our pastor does a good job of making things culturally relvant. IE: a recent sermon series on the minor prophets (books of the OT only 1 chptr long) were called "TXT Messages" a series on the unsung Biblical heroes was called "Heroes" after the TV show.

What's the childcare like?
- Good. there are plenty of nursery options, and I like that their "WeeWorship" is actually like a church service for munchkins, not the standard pop-in-a-Hermie-tape -and-call-it-a-day that we found at so many other churches.

What's your favorite thing?
- the preaching. seriously.

What would you change?
- My sunday school teacher's voice. he's hard to hear.

Can I wear jeans?
- oh heck ya! I do! every week. and I'm a girl even. There are plenty of those who like to get all gussied up in "church clothes" and plenty who'd rather be comfy in jeans and a tank top yr round. I fall into the latter category.

Anonymous said...

Name of Church: McLean Bible Church/Frontline

City: Vienna, VA (metro DC area). Frontline also meets Monday nights in Arlington, VA

Website: www.mcleanbible.org or www.frontlinedc.com

What's the worship music like: If you attend the morning services it's a little more traditional. The 10:45 service has a community called "the Edge" which meets in the chapel and has more contemporary music. (Fun game: ask the folks at the welcome desk to "take me to the Edge.") If you attend Frontline (the 20/30-something 'young adult ministry') Sunday nights, the music is definitely contemporary.

What's the speaking like? Again it depends on the service. Morning services tend to be a little more 'old school,' Frontline a little more 'culturally relevant.' (I have caught the senior pastor reworking sermons he delivered at 'big church' to make them contempohip enough for Frontline).

What's the childcare like: Kids Quest is available during all services, for kids from birth through high school (with age-appropriate cirricula, of course).

Favorite thing: There's so much to do! The church is so well organized, and there really is something for everyone.

What would I change: If you don't make an effort to get connected, you will feel like parishoner #543597. It's ineveitable with a mega church, but I wish there were a way to make people feel more like the valued individuals they are. (I don't have any suggestions, though).

Can I wear jeans? Yes, and I have to all of the services. However, Frontline is really more the 'jeans ministry.' In fact my friends joke that the only reason the senior pastor owns jeans is so he can wear them on nights he speaks at Frontline.

Lauren said...

Name of church: Reston Bible

City: Reston, VA

Website: www.restonbible.org

What's the worship music like?
Full band at all three services (Saturday 6:00 pm, Sunday 9 and 11 am). The leaders are an older guy (50s) who likes hymns and more traditional songs and a younger guy (20s), who leans toward contemporary (he has an amazing voice). They're great together and it's a great mix of different types for everyone to enjoy.

There is also an Evening of Worship on the last Sunday of each month. Led by the younger worship leader and contemporary. Very powerful.

What's the speaking like?
Straight from the word. Culterally relevant, but enjoyable for all ages. Head Pastor has a great, easy style that will make you think and also make you laugh. He's incredibly smart and knows his Bible like no one else.

What's the childcare like?
Provided for infants through high school age. Sunday school for ages 4 and up. Junior high and High School students meet on another campus less than a mile away.

What's your favorite thing?
Definitely the teaching. Pastor Minter is outstanding. And I love the worship. Also, the church largly supports missions, which is inspiring.

What would you change?
While there are great small group opportunities, the young adult ministry is lacking.

Can I wear jeans?
Definitely.

JustMarian said...

Name of church: Charity Baptist

City: McLean, VA
Website: www.charity2u.org

What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?) a magical mix

What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?) Old School Bible... which *is* culturally relevant

What's the childcare like? available

What's your favorite thing?
family feel and also,we are very young, average age is probably around 30

What would you change?
the orange pews... and I would add a real kitchen

Can I wear jeans? absolutely!

lislynn said...

Name of church: Covenant Presbyterian (PCA)

City: Harrisonburg

Website:www.cov-pres.org

What's the worship music like?: Mix of good music from hymns to bluegrass to contemporary and even borderline rock and roll! Group of "local" talent behind the mics that varies from week to week. Drums, vocals, guitar, cello, flute, violin, banjo, whatever's available.

What's the speaking like?: exegetical and strictly biblical. (and yes, it's a long, religious word, but at least I know what it means!!)

What's the childcare like?:Nursery, children's church and Sunday School on Sundays. After school program as outreach to the community. Very good Children's Ministry with highly dedicated and caring people.

What's your favorite thing?: the teaching, small groups, church-wide scripture memory program, awesome "real-world" Sunday school topics.

What would you change?: The place is freakin' huge. You've gotta get into a small group in order to not fall through the cracks-- but it's worth the effort. Our small group family has been a wonderful blessing to us through the years.

Can I wear jeans?: Hah. Yes. On Sunday morning you can see cut-offs and suits sitting next to each other, and down the row there'll be a little girl in a "bible woman" costume. Not joking.

Anonymous said...

Name of church:
Liberty Baptist

City:
Hampton, Virginia

Website:
http://www.lbcmin.com

What the worship music like?
Depends on where you sit-
9:15 and 11:00 a.m.- the worship hall has an orchestra and choir, traditional music. The gym (we call it the Genesis Service) has a contemporary band, but you hear a hymn here and there.

6:00 p.m.- contemporary music (same Genesis service)

What's the speaking like?
Again, depends on where you sit.
9:15 and 11:00 live preaching in the worship hall, video feed in Genesis

6:00 p.m. is live

Our preacher is currently preaching straight through Luke. He brings in some culturally relevant statements, and mixes in some laughs here and there.

What's the childcare like-
That's why I started going here. Childcare is great, with a dedicated area for kids, and another one for "students" (middle and high schooler) For the younger kids we have a mostly secure area with name tags and pagers for when they are out of control.

What's your favorite thing?
I am tied between the contemporary music and the student pastors. Both are great.

What would you change?
The parking and road access. Our parking guys do a great job of corraling us around the property, but it can be a pain to get in if you don't get there early. Plus side is that guests get to park right in front of the door.

Can I wear jeans?
Jeans, shorts, you can even wear crocs! On stage!

Anonymous said...

Name of the Church:
Great Commission Community Church

City:
Arlington Virginia (DC Metro Area)

Website:
www.gccc.info

What's the worship music like?

Mostly contemporary with accoustic and electric guitar, a hymn every now and then when it matches the message

What's the preaching like?

Seriously rocks! Always a strong emphasis on what the bible says and what that means for your life today.

Childcare:

Nursury and growing Sunday school. This is a growth area. But many families attend and help out.

What's my favorite thing?

God's presence throughout the worship service and the strong feeling of community and fellowship afterwards.

What would I change?

A permanent location would be nice, but aside from that, I love my chuch

Can I wear jeans?
Jeans, shorts, suits we got it all

Extra tip:
2 blocks from the Pentagon City Metro stop

Karin said...

I'd like to add that at Reston Bible Church the music minister is Ed Nalle who is a member of the group GLAD...a well-known Christian a cappella singing group. So I'd say the music is quite good!

natedavidscott said...

Name of church
-McLean Bible Church Loudoun Campus

City
-Leesburg, VA

Website
-www.mcleanbible.org/loudoun

What's the worship music like?
-contemporary, not too loud, not too fast. even some hymns with drums. they have to keep it chill or the old folks will hit people with their canes.

What's the speaking like?
-satellite feed of Lon Solomon from the main campus. It's old school theology with an application

What's the childcare like?
-great. we have a child in each stage from nursery up through kindergarten. it's all exciting-live worship for older, small groups and such. they use the 225 curriculum

What's your favorite thing?
-compared to the main MBC campus, it's small..about 1k people over 3 services. you might have the chance of seeing the same person the next week!

What would you change?
-louder fast music. canes and hearing aids checked at the door. a little more visible excitement from the worshippers to be at church.

Can I wear jeans?
-yes, although at 9 you will be in the minority. i wear my girl jeans to the 9am service. and i sit in the front row. and i raise my hands, clap my hands, tap my foot. it's craziness

Anonymous said...

Name of church: GATEWAY COMMUNITY CHURCH

City: HERNDON (& moving to South Riding), VA

Website: gatewaychurch.org

What's the worship music like?
Our music is just a bit beyond contemporary (has a modern/progressive flair) and yet maintains a hold of the traditional.

What's the speaking like?
The messages are intended to be culturally relevant with varied styles from the expository to the thematic.

What's the childcare like?
One of our values is that children are important, therefore, we invest a lot of time and energy in our children's program -- from babies to 6th grade, and our youth encompass 7th-12th grades.

What's your favorite thing?
Our vision for community.

What would you change?
Would LOVE to be able to generate more volunteer service ;-)

Can I wear jeans?
Absolutely! Shorts are acceptable too! The attire for the regular attenders ranges from business casual to t-shirt shorts.

Anonymous said...

Name of church:
Christ the King Presbyterian Church

City:
Roanoke, Virginia

Website:
www.ctkroanoke.org

What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?)
We use a mix of hymnals, psalters, and contemporary music. We usually have a small praise team, piano, and guitar.

What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?)
Our pastor, Ed Dunnington, preaches series on books of the Bible. For example, we are in a study of 1 Peter after recently finishing the book of Nehemiah. He is culturally relevant and makes applications to all ages.

What's the childcare like?
There is nursery available for Sunday School and Morning Worship (through age 3). Sunday School classes for toddlers through adults.

What's your favorite thing?
We are not a very big church, so we are very close-knit and welcoming.

What would you change?
We began just a few years ago and meet in a school cafeteria. I would love for us to have a permanent building.

Can I wear jeans?
The majority of our church dresses up; however, some people do dress casual. All are welcome!

Nic said...

Name of church: Open Door Church

City: Suffolk

Website: www.odcsuffolk.com

What's the worship music like?
it's what some would call contemporary (guitars,bass,drums,keys, and people dance and lift their hands and clap)

What's the speaking like? Pastor does a good job on preaching the word of God, and will get congregation interaction, and use object lessons and/or videos.

What's the childcare like?
It's pretty solid. Sunday mornings 6 grade and under are taken care of during the message.

What's your favorite thing? the people!
What would you change?
a few things for my comfort zone, but nothing needs to change

Can I wear jeans? i'm on the worship team and i usually wear jeans, so YES!

Anonymous said...

Name of church:
New Life Christian Church

City:
One Church. Three Locations:
Centreville, VA
Haymarket, VA
McLean, VA

Website:
www.newlife4me.com

What's the worship music like?
Contemporary music with a live band including keyboard, vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, live drums. Usually a mix of fast and slower contemporary christian and worship songs. At least one contemporary non-christian song relevant to the message as well.

What's the speaking like?
Youthful vibrant and energetic pastors speaking about culturally relevant topics based on the bible. Always in the Word, not based on opinion. Video and audio clips, skits, or games mixed in to add to the message.

What's the childcare like?
Two nursery school classrooms (one for non-walkers and one for walker); one preschool (3-4 yr olds); one elementary school age program using Kidmo with Johnny Rogers (media based teaching). Elementary school kids start out in the drama room for large group and then move to smaller classrooms for "small group" / bible study type discussions at the end, broken into k-2 and 3-5 grades.

What's your favorite thing?
The atmosphere. Everyone is friendly. I also like the free bagels and free coffee! :)

What would you change?
Nothing.

Can I wear jeans?
Yes, absolutely. Most of the time the pastors are wearing them, the band is wearing them. And sometimes if you come on the right Sunday you might even see them wearing a football jersey! General congregation wears anything from business casual to jeans or shorts.

Anonymous said...

I have two!

Name of church: Southside Nazarene
City: Midlothian, VA (Suburb of Richmond)
Website: http://southsidechurchva.org/
What's the worship music like? Contemporary, and awesome! You can participate how you need to, even if that means dancing! Midlo just has a worship team, Courthouse has a choir with the worship team.
What's the speaking like? Depends on the site. There are two locations. The main campus is live, Midlo's campus is video. Both are unique and different. The preaching is thought provoking and always has some laughable moments, but slightly more old school.
What's the childcare like? Wonderful, well done, and full of people who love the Lord
What's your favorite thing? Worship, and the community the you find there. I've recently moved but I miss the people there so much I can't even tell you. They also are big on small groups and I really like that.
What would you change? I know that no church is perfect, and they are going through some changes, but the only thing I can really think of is that I can't attend
Can I wear jeans? Heck yes! Come as you are!

Name of church: Eikon

City:
Chesterfield, Virginia (suburb of Richmond)

Website:
eikoncommunity.com

What's the worship music like? Contemporary, free, open, glorious

What's the speaking like? Relative to our age. Doug does an amazing job of hitting issues on the head, being real and honest about them.

What's the childcare like?
Good. It's a newer church start, and so it's small but they are doing great things.

What's your favorite thing?
The preaching and community

What would you change?
It is a church start. At this point everything is an experiement. If I could change anything, it would be that they are not well established yet.

Can I wear jeans?
Absolutely!! I would do it!

JustMarian said...

Re: my post about Charity Baptist

important update: We are getting a kitchen!

I guess it doesn't matter to the worship experience, but it's a huge blessing.

Steph said...

Name of church:
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
City:
Ashburn, VA
Website
http://www.cfellowshipc.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=31387

What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?)
Contemporary and rockin'!

What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?)
Culturally relevant with video
What's the childcare like?
Safe(pagers), creative for all ages and awesome! Your kids will have fun while learning about Jesus.
What's your favorite thing?
Transparent preaching and great small groups.
What would you change?
Get more small groups and women's events.
Can I wear jeans? Sure can, come as you are!

Kimberly said...

Name of church:
Cornerstone Bible Church
(meeting at Corporate Landing Elementary School)

City:
Virginia Beach, VA

Website:
www.cbcvirginia.org

What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?):
We sing a lot of the Sovereign Grace music. They're newer songs that sound like hymns sometimes. Some oldies and some newer stuff you hear on KLOVE are also thrown in.

What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?):
Our pastor is very into expositional style preaching. He preaches verse by verse through the Bible.

What's the childcare like?:
There is nursery for up to 2 years old, and children's church classes for 2s & 3s and 4-8 year olds.

What's your favorite thing?:
Since the church was planted only about 9 years ago, you know that everyone is there because they love God and want to be there, not because it's always what they've done and it's their social club.

What would you change?:
We have so many young marrieds pushing out the babies. It would be nice to have more diversity in the life stages.

Can I wear jeans?: Yes.

Joan said...

Name of church: Manassas Baptist Church
City: Manassas, VA
Website: http://www.manassasbaptist.org/
What's the worship music like? Contemporary & Traditional Services
What's the speaking like? Relevant, Bible Teaching
What's the childcare like? Wonderful childcare
What's your favorite thing? The Praise Band at the Contemporary Service
What would you change? Would love to have so many people that we need to add another service.
Can I wear jeans? YES!