Sunday Evenings

As of right now we don't have evenings services at McKinnon. This is a bit strange for myself and Brandon who have grown up going to morning and evening services. The change has been useful, it has allowed us to visit a few other churches in the evening as well as contemplate how our Sunday evenings should be spent.

I think everyone should visit another church where they know no one, even better make it a church outside of their own denomination.
We visited a Reformed Baptist church about 20 minutes south of us. The service was relaxed to say the least. Couches replaced pews and the band the A capella singing we are used to. In between the couches were coffee tables where glass bowls filled with lollies sat. Thankfully I saw the lollies before the kids and thumped a Bible over the top of a bowl. I think most parents would understand my reaction to the site of the candy bowl. A big bowl of lollies and sitting quietly during worship do not mix. Especially for Gideon. After the service we all gathered around a table of food. There was a dedication that evening so supper was served afterwards. It took about 20 minutes before anyone came up and introduced themselves. He turned out to be a uni student. That was it, a male uni student came and talked to us for about 30 minutes. No one else. Thank you uni student for relieving some of the awkwardness.

Visiting this other church has reminded me of our own visitors and how they may feel.  I have again realized the importance of unity within the greater church. There are many Christians in our city of Melbourne attending various churches. It is good to know one another.

There are a few churches around us with sad news. One church was recently the headline of the local paper. It seems they have decided to close their doors and sell the building. There were only twelve members attending. Another one that our McKinnon church has ties with is down to less then six people showing up on Sunday morning. They are meeting this Sunday to talk about the future. Last year our McKinnon church only had eleven members. Hearing the news of these churches continues to press on me the importance of praying for our McKinnon.  I do not know what God has in store for our little church. I am praying that God would allow us to flourish in this city of closing church doors.