My Church is better than Your Church

Santa Clara First Baptist Church

Today I went to Santa Clara First Baptist Church. I have often driven past this church and even park in it's parking lot when I go to events at my daughters' high school. This church seemed exciting and involved in the community. Sarah has many friend that go to this church by she and they were busy today in a conference. I got to the church a little early and went in and sat down. This church had been recently refurbished and they didn't put in pews, but put in chairs instead.

Sanctuary uses chairs instead of pews

When I sat down, 10 minutes before the service, not many people were sitting down. By the time the service started there were many people. They didn't have an organ, instead they have a music ensemble, 4 guitars, drums, and a keyboard. Hymns were led by the singing group and it was very entertaining. The weekly events were presented by a man in front of the stage. More singing and then the minister presented the message from the stage.

Seemed like a stage not a pulpit

This church was very nice and friendly. Before the service a man that I had recognized came and talked to me. He didn't know who I was and introduced himself. His kids have gone through school with me since Kindergarten. He has twin daughters the same age as Sarah. It was nice to talk to him and he made me feel welcomed. When the group was singing on the stage I felt like I was at a concert, but not like I was involved in the service. The church program had 6 pages of activities for members during the week. It included 3 lines about what the message was about. No bible verse was used to base the message on, but they used the Declaration of Independence. The minister then talked about the future goals of the church and their ministries. After the message the music group performed again and we all left.

long hallways in old buildings are cool

This was a nice church and would be real nice to belong to. The service goes with a week of devotionals. You can't sit in one service, you have to get involved to be part of the service. I would love to have a family to take to this church, it seems like it would be a great place to grow up. The biggest problem I had with it came from the song choice. It seemed like all the songs were about their God was better than other churches God. Many of the songs talked about, "OUR God" and what their God could do that other Gods couldn't do. I didn't like that. I want to hear that God is God, and the difference with other religions is how they praise God. I felt uncomfortable about that.

Cool looking tree

James 1:22-25

New International Version (NIV)

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.