Visit #1 in The Search for Home

We made our first visit to Northbrook Church. Northbrook is a Baptist Church with a very contemporary style. The building reminds me of a warehouse, which I find very cool. The praise and worship was excellent and the congregation seemed to be very focused on worship. The preaching was deep and though we were there for the tail end of a series, we had no trouble catching on.

Little things I appreciated:
1)A missionary family was in town to drop their daughter off for college and they were given attention in the service including the chance to say a few words and show a short film.
2)No offering plates/buckets/bags were passed. There is a box at the door.
3)Representatives of the children's ministry met us at the door and welcomed the children.

Things I did not care for:
1)It's a bit longer of a drive than we are used to making on Sunday morning.
2)Because of #1 we did not make it in time for the muffins and coffee that they promise on their website.

Our two youngest children had mostly complaints about the children's ministry. They felt it was "boring" and they did not get to move around enough. I think it's kind of sad that my children have the idea that church is there to entertain them and I find myself wondering how I let them get such a notion in their heads. After listening to the complaining I finally just asked "Did they teach from the Bible?" "Yes" "Well, do you think the church is supposed to teach the Bible or entertain you?" I know the root of their complaining is their reluctance about leaving their church home. I have to find a way to get them to give us real feedback on the churches we visit, or I am simply going to have to disregard their feelings altogether. I don't want to disregard their feelings, so I must find a way around this.

We had the chance to talk to a member at length about the church, but I will not post the positive things she had to say until we experience them for ourselves. This series is all about our experiences, after all!

We will probably revisit this church. i hope to visit them on a Wednesday night as well.