Week 24 - Bridgeway Church

Bridgeway Church was our choice for worship this week. Immediately upon entering we noticed a congregation very engaged with each other. There were a lot of lively conversations going on between people. There was also a lot going on in the foyer. First off, a café serving coffee and such, a bookstore, a table with information promoting an outreach project they were promoting today, greeters and quite a few people just talking and catching up. Inside the lively conversations continued. They seem to be really excited about being there and seeing each other. The worship area had a relaxing, comfortable feeling with rows of chairs, rather than pews, scattered with Bibles for use during worship or to take home if anyone needed a Bible. A wide variety of people were in attendance and the atmosphere was casual. From dress clothes to jeans and shorts, it was all ok. There was a stage with an instrumental worship band, that performed a variety of songs, some traditional, some contemporary. One thing we noticed was that the congregation was really singing. We could actually hear singing over the band. In addition, the band toned down the music from time to time so the singing could stand out. Also, there seemed to be great freedom to worship however you felt led, with some sitting, some standing, some with hands raised, some not. The pastor had a great, well presented message about God using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He used the example from Mark 3:13-19 where Jesus chose the apostles. It was a diverse, ordinary group indeed. As diverse as the churches we’re visiting, but united by one thing—the authority of Jesus Christ—as are we all, regardless of the denomination we affiliate with.