Capital S Sinner

So today was the day I finally headed out to the large Baptist Church. They had an 8:30 traditional service or an 11:00 contemporary service to choose from. I decided to get up early and hit the traditional today and the contemporary at a later date. Since I had been asked by a colleague to try to find out the draw to this church, I planned to attend both eventually.

To begin we stood to hear the scripture of the morning read and remained standing for the prayer. We then sang two hymns, followed by the choir anthem. Announcements were next.

I was already feeling the tone of the service and it was sinner with a capital "s". It wasn't a gracefilled message. I am intrinsically a Wesleyan in that I am a sinner saved by grace with the emphasis on the grace of Christ. This message was "I am a sinner and I'd better pray for a savior." Of course, the savior is Jesus Christ. But never is the focus on the loving kindness of this savior. It is always on "me the sinner" needing to confess my sinfulness and ask for forgiveness.

The message itself was presented on the ppt in the outline form A-1-2-3; B-1-2-3-; C-1-2-3. It was essentially the Roman Way through 1 John.

The service ended with an altar call. Not a call to come to the altar, but an exhortation to declare our sinfulness and pray for forgiveness.

I did not leave feeling refreshed nor understanding the growth of this church. There did appear to be a lot of community building, so maybe it isn't Sunday morning (though well attended) that bring people in but the fellowship.