Ginny Melby - Church Visit #2

Church name: Second Baptist Church of Wheaton

Church address: 1520 Avery Avenue Wheaton, IL 60187

Date attended: March 2, 2014

Church category: Different racial/ethnic demographic

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

Th worship service at Second Baptist was certainly different from my weekly church experience, but I absolutely loved it. It made me want to attend regularly, honestly. At my home church, we sing 3 worship songs, greet each other collect, offering, hear a sermon, and then end with another song or two. This worship service was just that: WORSHIP. The entire service was centered on worshiping the Lord in all different forms, but mostly through singing and dancing. They certainly appeared to be full of the joy of the Lord. The service (which was over 2 hours long) was mainly singing together, and the sermon itself was very worshipful, complete with spontaneous additions from the organ and choir. 

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

The focus on community. I have never in my life felt so welcomed by a body of believers. Not only did Mary and I have to stand up and introduce ourselves, but they remembered our names and referred to us throughout the service. Then, Pastor Williams said "As a church, we are going to come to you and welcome you." We literally shook hands with or hugged every single person in that church. They all gave us a warm welcome and made it clear that they wanted us to come back. I think they were used to having white Wheaton students visit, but they were so inclusive and happy to have us. It was neat to experience worshiping with people from a different culture than mine. It gave me a taste of worship in heaven with people from all different nations! How exciting. 

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

Really the only criticism I have about the church after my one visit is the length of the service. I'm not used to spending such a long time at church, so my stamina was tested about half way through. While I truly enjoyed the entire service, I could feel myself getting impatient as I looked at the time, felt my stomach growl, and realized that we were only half way through the service according to the church bulletin. But ultimately, it serviced to challenge my thinking and reorder my priorities. 

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

The sermon was amazing. Rev. Williams preached on Joshua 10, when the Lord delivered the Amorites in the hands of the Israelites via Joshua's bold prayer to hold the sun still. Williams encouraged us all to pray bold, outrageous, confident prayers that-- when they come to fruition-- it is so clear that the Lord was the one working. As Williams was preaching and the people around me were confirming with "Amen!" and "I know that's right!" it became evident that the church community had faith much greater than my own. They relied on the Lord as if He was truly their only means of survival. They prayed bold prayers for healing and deliverance, just as Joshua inspired us to do, and they trusted that God would come through for them. I get too caught up in praying for myself and the small things during my day that I forget to pray impossible prayers, expecting God to move on my behalf and for His glory.