One of the first things I noticed when we came to Alabama back in February to look for an apartment was the incredible number of churches. Now, I know we’re smack dab in the middle of the Bible belt but I sort of had an idea that they would all be Southern Baptist. Instead, I’ve found churches of many, many different denominations….one every few blocks, so I thought what better opportunity to check out the options the South has to offer. Not going to get into a lot of theology; just my impressions of the services, the congregations and the messages.
The first week we went to Centerpoint, a church which meets right by our home in a Marriott resort ballroom.
Generally this means it’s a fairly new church plant saving up for their own building, but I was immediately drawn to it because all their marketing reminded me of our home church: Alpine, which is a non-denominational congregation. Indeed, they had the billboards, the road signs directing us to the venue, the greeters, the welcoming table, the coffee bar, the praise music with a band, and a biblical message emphasizing application in our daily lives. There were different things about it as they did pass an offering plate and had candle stations set up for individual prayer. They offer three services on Sunday and the one we attended was completely full.
The second week we attended one of the chapels on base as it was the “welcoming” service for the newcomers and it was a combined service of the protestant offerings. It was packed in a fairly small chapel so it was a tad uncomfortable. It was kind of a mish-mash service with semi-contemporary music but some traditional as well, the youth doing some mime thing which was a tad beyond my comfort level theatre degree or not, but a great message about loss and trusting God, and the fact that becoming a Christian doesn’t mean we’ll never have trouble or sorrow again. The pastor had lost a child to a fluky illness so had plenty of experience to draw on. I’d actually like to go back here to a regular service sometime. They had a bbq out on the church lawn after the service.
Next was Journey which again was very much like Alpine. They meet in a little strip mall-type area though they already have a sign right down the street in a beautiful field which says it’s their future home. This reminded me very much of when Alpine met in Clearfield before we moved into our new building. Video incorporated into the service with the band and contemporary music, lots of people dressed in football jerseys. Now, people in AL wear football jerseys a lot so I wasn’t sure if it was just because that’s how they dress or if it was a theme. When the pastor came out in one, I kind of caught on. Preached about “getting in the game” and how it was time to stop “standing on the sidelines”. Either you’re a Christian or you’re not, but you can’t be one on Sunday then live the rest of the week where people couldn’t really tell one way or another. They gave me a cool red water bottle as a first time visitor!
Finally, there’s an area in downtown Prattville covering a two block radius that is nothing but churches. The First Baptist Church is huge with several different buildings. They offer tons of Sunday School classes broken down into all different age groups. They had a special door for visitors where they met us, gave us materials then walked us in and found us special seating. I guess I supposed it would be a little more inter-racial but ALL of these churches I’ve mentioned were primarily Caucasian which I found interesting. In fact this service and congregation really reminded of our old Presbyterian church. Fairly older, conservative, etc. However, they have a huge kid’s Sunday school so it must have just been my first impression or maybe it was just that service. In fact, a girl in my book group laughingly referred to it as the “kiddie valet” church. After having dropped your child off at Sunday School, you received a card to hang on your rear view mirror. After Sunday School you pull up, they read your card into their walkie talkie, then someone brings your child out and buckles them into their car seat. Hee hee! What could be easier?
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