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Name of church
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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?
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25 comments:
Name of church: Bethel Baptist Church
City: Everett, Washington
Website: www.betheleverett.org
What's the worship music like? A little mixture of everything. Hymns, contemporary, 70's/80's/90's style...a good mix.
What's the speaking like? Driven by fact/truth, centered on Biblical standards, focused on God.
What's the childcare like? Pretty good. There's a nursery, as well as Children's Church during the service. There is youth services throughout the week, as well.
What's your favorite thing?
What would you change?
Can I wear jeans? Only if they are Levi's. Just kidding. Yes, jeans are perfectly acceptable. There is a mixture of older people and younger people. Come dressed in whatever you feel the most comfortable in.
*Calvary Chapel
*Seattle, WA
*www.ccseattle.org
*Contemporary worship, charismatic-lite, about 35 min.
*Speaking is scripture-based (but not old-school Bible), fairly scholarly.
*Good childcare/ children's church for all ages, nursery through high school.
*favorite thing: I can be honest about things like doubt and failure. Also, great women leaders.
*What to change: I'd like songs with more thoughtful lyrics.
*Yes, you can wear jeans. It's a pretty casual church.
* Christ the King Church
* Bellingham, WA
* ctkbellingham.com
* music is contemporary, upbeat
* The speaking is awesome with a good rotation amongst the senior & associate pastors (listen to streaming audio or download sermon mp3s online). really relevant, pointed, straight, hits home.
* childcare for all ages with good staff.
* my favorite thing?
they say "always a place for you" & they really mean it. the motorcycle guys come in leathers, high school kids come with mohawks, there are young families, retirees, & single folk like me. i can dance in the aisles or fall on my knees. there's plenty of room for Jesus to move. no one is pretending.
* What would you change?
the church isn't perfect, but i wouldn't change a thing. honestly.
* Can I wear jeans?
of course. the pastor wears jeans, the worship leader is barefoot.
* Alderwood Community Church
* Lynnwood, WA
* http://www.amcc.org/
* More hymns and old people style at first service, then contemporary worship second service. The youth worship/college bible study worship is much better than regular services.
* Always applicable speaking. Pastor Fred is the best speaker there for Sunday service.
* Great children's programs as well as youth programs. The children's wing is all new remodel and very clean. The workers are great and full of joy. There are lots of young families to get to know if you have young kids.
* I love the college Thursday night bible study best. It's an in depth study straight from scripture with great people.
* I would put air conditioning in the main building for Sunday services. Hint: Don't sit in the balcony on a hot summer day on the rare occasion that we have one. That and I would have a better Sunday service set up for college aged people. Most of the college age are involved with serving the youth so there is not a high population actually in the Sunday service, as they are working.
*You can wear whatever you want. Just make sure you remember clothing. You can wear a nice fancy getup or jeans and flip flops and a sweatshirt.
Mercer Island Covenant Church
Mercer Island, WA
http://www.micc.org
What's the worship music like?
Two Services, one messate: the early service is more traditional - hymns, mostly - while the second service is more contemporary.
What's the speaking like?
In the first service, our pastor wears a liturgical robe, but in the second service, its much more relaxed. The message in both services are the same. Culturally relevant, with multimedia background. Bible centered ('Where is it written?')
What's the childcare like?
Pretty good. Newly remodelled nursery. They LOVE kids!
What's your favorite thing?
The friendliness of everyone there. Very relaxed nature of the church. Traditional, but not stuffy.
What would you change?
I grew up in a "hell-fire and brimstone" Baptist Church... I feel that sometimes a bit more meat on the sermons would be nicer.
Can I wear jeans?
Absolutely. I do, and no one has said anything at all, and I'm not alone -- and I usually go to the first service.
* Veritas Church
* Auburn, WA
* veritaschurch@seektheveritas.com
* It's a mix of many things: contempo-hip, rock, southern bluegrass, but always good
* Exegetical, but still culturally relevant
* The children's time (The Orchard) is during the service and is for any kids that probably wouldn't last through a sermon. =)
* It's real and the people always remember your name. Always.
* More people (it's a church plant, so it's still really small).
* Wear whatever you want. Cause we just want you. =)
Name of church: Oikos Fellowship
City: Bellingham, WA
Website: oikowfellowship.org
What's the worship music like?: Contemporary style with hymns (love it!)
What's the speaking like? Expositional
What's the childcare like? We have one Sunday School class for the kids during the sermon, some parents choose to keep their kids with them in the service. There is also nursey care available for those who wish.
What's your favorite thing? The people, preaching and music.
What would you change? More older people--it's a very young church.
Can I wear jeans? For sure--many people do.
*Gateway Community Church
*Washougal, WA, 98671
http://www.gateway-community.com
Contemporary worship.
Culturally relevant Teaching with video and a very engaging communicator.
Great Childcare available from ages 0 to 6th grade.
My favorite thing is the desire to reach people for Christ.
I wouldn't change anything.
Yes, you can most definitely wear jeans.
Name of church
City: Everett,WA
Website: http://lakecountrybaptist.com/
What's the worship music like? : Guitar driven Folksy style. Even Hymns have that vibe more often than not.
What's the speaking like?: Old School Bible and that bible is KJV.
What's the childcare like? Great. We add babies weekly, it seems, so the nursery is ever expanding. Youth Pastor rocks!
What's your favorite thing? That it's so close to my home.
What would you change? I'd add drums to the music.
Can I wear jeans? By all means. No set dress code. Suits next to shorts.
South Whidbey Assembly of God
Langley, WA
http://www.swag-online.org/
What's the worship music like? Contemporary and loud. Worship leader is young and semi-metro. The drummer is in a fishbowl. (Hey, I'm 54 years old. To me, worship music peaked in the mid-1980s.)
What's the speaking like? Culturally relevant, Bible-based, some video, occasional drama.
Great childcare "Children's Church" (a.k.a. "Up Street" and "Studio 46")
What's your favorite thing? A real engagement with the community, sponsoring events that are not strictly "churchy." A missionary emphasis that is focusing on making a difference in one area (Liberian Orphanages) to connect with those people and see change.
What would you change? Get me off the church board.
Can I wear jeans? Must you? Oh, I guess so, but when I was a kid we dressed up for church, sat on hard wooden pews through multi-hour-long fire and brimstone sermons...and we liked it!
Name of church: The City Church
City: Kirkland, WA
Website: www.thecity.org
What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?) THE BEST!!! Contemporary and uplifting..Literally like you were at Hillsongs in Australia
What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?) Definitely revelant in everyday life...the Goodness of God, prosperity with a Purpose, Healing and much more!
What's the childcare like? Excellent: children are separated by grades and teaching is revelant to their understanding, etc.
What's your favorite thing? Free podcasts via iTunes...Pastor Wendell & Gini Smith are Geniune and real people that reflect Jesus. Love the atmosphere on Sundays, the amazing worship! They have a firm foundation in what they believe as a Bible-believing Church.
What would you change? Can they move to Valparaiso, IN where I currently live?!
Can I wear jeans? YES
Name of church: May Valley Alliance Church
City: Renton, WA
Website: http://www.mayvalley.org
What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?): Contemporary, with a few hymns sprinkled in. The fast songs are happy and upbeat. The slow songs are beautiful and "worshipful". We sound good.
What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?): Culturally relevent, with lots of humor, videos, and props. Also, our pastor is from New Zealand, so you get to hear his cool accent. (listen to his sermons online!)
What's the childcare like? Great! I'm speaking from experience because I was pretty much born in the church nursery. Childcare is always available, experienced providers. They love kids.
What's your favorite thing? Definitely the people. They are my family! They inspire me to be like Jesus in a very nonboring way. There's lots of love and excitement here. I feel like I can bring any friend or neighbor or kid or unbeliever here as a guest, and they will have a great time. It's a very "people-loving" atmosphere - no matter who you are, you can be sure you'll be loved on here.
What would you change?
Nothing. I know we're not perfect, but I love the way we are!
Can I wear jeans? You may wear whatever you want. We have the whole spectrum of ages and styles. Some women wear jeans, shorts, or short skirs. Others wear long skirts or dresses or slacks. Men wear dress pants or jeans or shorts, and dress shirts or T-shirts. I wear flip flops and jeans and a T shirt, or the occasional skirt/dress if I feel like it.
*Name of Church-New Life Church
*City-Renton, WA
*Website- www.newliferenton.com
*What is the worship music like? Very modern and loud with an appreciation for hymns. The worship leader is a 20-25 on the SCL Metro test scale.
*What is the speaking style like? It is culturally relevant and solid bible.
*What's the childcare like? Unbelievable. My wife and kids had to miss a Sunday visiting relatives and my 6 year old cried because he had to miss Great Kid Adventure!
*What's your favorite thing? The people are great! The atmosphere in the lobby between services on Sunday is vibrant and alive and energetic.
*What would you change? I would make worship longer.
*Can I wear jeans? Of course!
Name of church: Discovery Baptist Church
City: Tacoma
Website: It's very cool -- www.discochurch.com
What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?) Contemporary -- David Crowder, even Eric Clapton once!
What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?) Culturally relevant, grounded in scripture. Good solid preaching.
What's the childcare like? Good.
What's your favorite thing? The church meets in a movie theater, so there are no hypocrites who attend church to elevate their social status.
What would you change? It has the weaknesses of a small church (it is a church plant) -- very small groups, decent but not super children's activities.
Can I wear jeans? You might be overdressed in the summer if you do! The pastor wear jeans; many members are in shorts and flip-flops.
Name of church: Church of the Apostles (COTA)
City: Seattle
Website: www.apostleschurch.org
What's the worship music like?: varies from folk to rock (often sounds like music from Enter the Worship Circle or Sufjan Stevens)
What's the speaking like? sermons are about 10 mins long, style varies as the pastor preaches about once a month and church members the rest of the time
What's the childcare like? there's a children's corner with toys, puzzles, crayons, etc so the kids can remain in the service with the adults (may begin a children's/family ministry or service as more families attend)
What's your favorite thing? the creative liturgy (we're Lutheran + Episcopalian, and follow aspects of the liturgy with postmodern elements designed by members of the church); AND our involvement with the community through an arts center
What would you change? increased organization and communication about what's going on in and with the community
Can I wear jeans? Yes, but you may be more dressed up than everyone else :)
Trinity Church of Pierce County
Tacoma, WA
Worship? It's really great!! Full band, contemporary with a few updated oldies every so often... totally annointed worship. Once a month the youth band leads, which is always rockin'!
Speaking? The teaching is well thought out, lively, balanced, and absolutely Bible based, Christ centered, practical, and annointed.
Childcare? We have full childcare available during services (9am and 11am), the teachers are great with kids, and we do mandatory background checks and have safety rules in place as well.
Favorite Thing? The people... I came there through my marriage 10 years ago, and it's home. We are family... and not in a nosy, pushy way. We look out for each other and take care of each other when someone's in need.
Change? Well, we are changing, (our senior Pastor will be passing the torch to the new designated pastor, who is also his son in October) and the focus will become increased care, increased outreach, increased opportunity for mature members of the church body to minister (instead of mostly just staff ministering) and less on formats and programs that had been relevant but aren't as effective anymore.
Jeans? Yes, in fact, our pastors have started wearing them often.
Name of Church
Community of Christ - St. Luke's
City
Federal Way, WA
Website
stlukesfedway.org (warning: it's hideous)
What's the worship music like?
We have four services: 5:30 on Saturday evening and 8, 9:30 and 11 on Sunday morning.
The 5:30 and 11:00 services share the same music set, which is very late-90's contemporary pop. It's what church's in small towns like to call "contemporary", and by "contemporary" they mean "we don't play the organ at these services." Regular songs include: Lord, I Lift Your Name on High, Above All, Awesome God, Step by Step
The 8:00 service on Sunday is a traditional, liturgical worship service. Except our program staff likes to think they're hip by calling it "classical" worship. What they mean is that we dust off the hymnals--yes, you can has hymnals at our church--and take time in corporate confession, absolution, prayer and hymns, from "A Mighty Fortress" to "Amazing Grace".
The 9:30 service is humorously called "New Song" after the LA area metachurch. Except this service is legit. We don't have lasers or smoke machines, but we do have some of the best musicians this side of, well, anywhere. If you heard a song on the radio, whether it be Air1 or K-Love or a local adult contemporary station--you're in Washington, so, Spirit 105.3?--you'll hear it at this service eventually. Except we rock harder. Much harder. Of course, this doesn't mean we aren't reverent. We'll still throw the occasional How Great is Our God at you.
Best part? Hymns...remixed! If you've never sung How Great Thou Art with a drumline and electric guitars, you have got to come to this church. Our worship minister is a genuine 80's rocker. He shaved his hair, but he didn't lose his enthusiasm. Goatee, jeans, tennis shoes standard.
What's the speaking like?
We're Lutheran, so we hold very firmly to sola sciptura--you will never, ever hear a sermon that isn't rooted in Scripture. But does this mean we're not relevant? Of course not. We had a great series last year on "Christ and Culture", and we're about to start one on "What's Wrong with the World". We don't have a pulpit, and for the most part the sermons can be practically applied. Best part? 20-30 minutes average sermon time means you're not gonna be wondering when the pastor is done.
What's the childcare like?
We have a nursery available for kids up to three years old, a highly organized Sunday school for ages 4-6th grade at 9:30 am and probably the best youth program EVER. (Disclaimer: I work with the youth group.) Children's church is also available for kids 4-6 during the sermon. If your kids are older than 6, we hope they'll sit in church with you. One of our core values is that corporate worship is essential to the Christian life--so, sorry, no specialized services. We want kids to be with adults and adults with kids as mutual models on reverence and passion for the Lord.
What's your favorite thing?
That we are for everyone. From the liturgical crowd to the hip young folks (can you say "in-church espresso stand"?), we are all about being all things to all people--for God's glory.
Also, we're not a megachurch and we're not tiny. We have 2000(-ish) members, and a weekly attendance between 600 and 800. You can actually meet people here and form groups and relationships. You will not be relegated to the back row of the balcony where you can only see the pastor on the video screen.
And I know this isn't about the "atmosphere", but I truly believe our sanctuary is the most beautiful locale this side of Notre Dame. Our stained glass window is shown on our website, but our altar, ambo and baptismal font are handcarved by a member and beautiful.
What would you change?
Ironically, the exact same thing that I love. Sometimes I think we forget that though we bring guests to church, that weekly gathering time is a gathering of believers. I think there are times when we need to go back to basics--a stronger sense of reverence and liturgy in our contemporary services, for example.
Can I wear jeans?
Yes. The 8:00 crowd is generally a bit more dressed-to-the-nines, but even those folks have some jeans in the crowd. Come to God as you are, or maybe as your "Sunday best". It's all about Him, anyway, not our church.
Worship Minister: jeans and a knit t-shirt.
Pastor: Button-down shirt, sometimes a tie, with slacks. At 8:00, he's in chancel robes.
We got it all.
Name of church: City Harvest Church
City: Vancouver, WA
Website: www.cityharvestchurch.com
What's the worship music like?
Worship is good and getting better. It's contemporary and most of our worship leaders are young. We're spending more time in worship lately, and in the midst of worship, the healing team often ministers. The gifts of the Spirit are encouraged--a number of people seem gifted in the word of knowledge, including the Senior Pastor.
What's the speaking like?
It's usually a topical series and tends more toward teaching than preaching. It's never boring. Short videos are often interspersed with KeyNote slides.
What's the childcare like?
It's organized well and a priority in the church. And we use a curriculum which has every age group learning the same lesson the same week so all of your kids are hearing the same principles. It makes intelligent use of videos and the 4-schoolage have a real worship service together as one component of their time.
What's your favorite thing?
I've experienced a lot of churches and I can honestly say this is the friendliest one. By that, I don't mean 50 people will beat a path to you if you're a visitor. I mean that when you start getting involved people are genuinely NICE and interested in you. Nobody seems to be stepping on one another for attention or position. The pastoral staff is very down-to-earth and real.
What would you change?
I hate our website. I don't think it really reflects us--and I don't think it's very attractive.
Can I wear jeans?
Most people do. But you wouldn't feel out of place if you chose to dress up either.
Name of church- New Covenant Fellowship
City- Spokane WA
Website- None :(, yet...
What's the worship music like? (Contemporary, hymns, long, fast, loud etc?)- Music? Guitar lead, bass, drums, viola etc.. Freedom to worship God however you feel appropriate (no stripping please)- Sitting, standing, raising hands, dancing, flags, with respect to others' space of course.
What's the speaking like? (Old school Bible, culturally relevant, by video etc?)- Everyone has "Biblically based", ours are too, but we feel no requirement to stay to standard theology- anything that is found in the Scripture that shows ever more how great God is... we also have an emphasis on the old testament scriptures with an understanding of the hebrew mindset
What's the childcare like? Nursery, sunday school after worship(during message)- huge focus on actually raising up the children- once a month they have their own 8year old lead worship service in the classroom.
What's your favorite thing? You have the freedom to do whatever God calls you to do in worship and in life- go to another church, disagree theologically (I am an "open theist" and by best friends aren't)
What would you change? That it would be going 24/7 so I could go to church at 3:00am on tuesday morning.
Can I wear jeans? Yes, anything is okay, but modesty is appreciated...if you can't wear it to public school, should you wear it anywhere?
Name of church: Mountain View Church
City: Tumwater (Olympia)
Website: http://mountainviewlife.org/index.html
What's the worship music like? Contemporary - my husband is the drummer and the music is recent and fantastic!
What's the speaking like? Pastor Bill works hard to be real adn relevant - very transparent and self-effacing.
What's the childcare like? All ages, activities all teh time, From birth to high school!
What's your favorite thing? Celebrate Recovery (check out the link on our website)
What would you change? Hmm - good question - I guess I couldnt change anything. People (even pastors and church workers) are far from perfect - so there are imperfections about our church. But if I wanted something to change enough, I should get involved with it and not complain.
Can I wear jeans? Jeans, shorts, dresses, motercycle gear, ties, 3-piece suits - people wear whatever!! God accepts us as we are, whereever we are.
Name of church: New Heights Church
City: Vancouver, WA
Website: www.newheights.org
What's the worship music like? Contemporary. Sundays @ 6 p.m. has more of a rock-n-roll flair - and it's loud.
What's the speaking like? Amazing. It's always grounded in the Scripture and is relevant to everyday living. If you attend one of three satellite campuses, the message is still the same as the main campus, just on a video screen.
What's the childcare like? Babies - 5th grade then middle school and high school. The best children's program I've ever been a part of.
What's your favorite thing? The number of services (11 every weekend at four different locations). Makes it pretty impossible to miss church.
What would you change? A bigger main campus facility to handle the large numbers of people.
Can I wear jeans? The pastor preaches in jeans . . . . . does that answer your question?
Name of Church: The Bridge
City: Spokane, Washington
website: www.thebridgespokane.com
Whats the Worship like? Contemporary but also some old school songs in there. Worship is generally twenty minutes or more. Full band, piano, guitar, bass, drums.Some of the pastors play.
What is the speaking like? Gospel oriented. The type of speaking that makes you think. Its extremely relevant and the Pastor, Andrew, speaks with honesty and conviction.
Childcare: There is childcare for kids 4 and under and once a month they have kids church with kids 5 and up.
Favorite things: The community of people. AMAZING. Honest and human, struggling with the same things that I do.
What would I change? It is in the afternoons, which is sometimes hard to do especially if you are a student.
Can you wear jeans? Of course, most people are pretty casual.
*Name of Church: EastLake Community Church
*City: Bellevue and Bothell, Washington
*website: www.therestofus.com and www.eastlakecc.com
*Whats the Worship like? Rock and LOUD. Short. 3 songs. Perfect for guys like me and my friends.
*What is the speaking like? Conversational, Application Focused, Fun, Human. I love it because it is great for bringing my friends who've never been to church. I never invited anyone to church before going here. They really care about seekers. SO DO I! They baptize a lot of people each year and thousands have come to faith in just the 4 years or so since it started.
*Childcare: Awesome. But if you like having your kids sit with you - go somewhere else. They only let adults in the big room (which i love even though i have kids. no crying babies all service long. plus all 4 of my kids LOVE their classes and learn lots.)
Favorite things: Raw and honest. Killer band. Great FREE coffee
*What would I change? Traffic! I guess thats a good problem. Also wish they had a location in Seattle.
*Can you wear jeans? The pastor does. Jeans and a T-shirt almost every week he speaks.
Name of church: The Bridge Christian Fellowship
City: Oak Harbor, though its actually on North Whidbey about two minutes south of Deception Pass.
Website: www.bridgechristianfellowship.org
What's the worship music like? Its pretty fast paced. We usually have a full band thats headed up by the pastor. We play a lot of Tomlin and Crowder as well as a lot of songs written by my pastor. The worship team actually just released a CD. Good stuff!
What's the speaking like? When the church started a few years ago, the pastor literally opened up the Bible to Genesis 1 and started there. We are currently in 2nd Chronicles. The pastor speaks for close to an hour. He usually pulls a main point from the passage and the teaches on that. For example, last week he taught out of 2nd Chronicles 32 and then moved over to 2 Timothy 2:1-4 and spoke about what it looks like to be a soldier for Christ.
What's the childcare like? Its pretty good! I actually teach the first and second graders. Kids stay in the church for worship and then have class during the sermon. We have a class for crawlers/walkers, 2/3 year olds, 4,5,6 year olds, 1st and 2nd graders, 3rd and 4th graders and 5th and 6th graders. Youth group for middle/high school meets during the week.
What's your favorite thing? We meet in a barn. Like, it used to have animals in it. Its really cool, especially on Christmas Eve.
What would you change? I wish there was more people there my age (college) but thats not really anything that the church can do anything about. Everything else is great!
Can I wear jeans? Definitely! I probably wouldn't go if you couldn't since I don't really own anything but jeans.
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