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Potomac Baptist Church by Lynne Borneman |
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The following Sunday October 27, 2002 I attended the 10:45 service at Potomac Baptist Church. I had heard that at Baptist services those attending really get into the service by singing, clapping and calling out. I decided to arrive a little early because last week I wish I had more time to talk prior to the service beginning. As I approached I noticed the church building was white and really generic. This congregation was small and everyone seemed to know each other. As I entered the church, families were all mingling about chatting with each other. I had the impression of a family get together instead of a church service. Everyone came up to me, introduced himself and welcomed me. I was the stranger, but felt more like a guest visiting their home. Last week when I visited the Lutheran Church I had thought that it was plain, this church was even simpler. The interior of the church seemed more like a meeting room with pews than a church to me. Not only did I find no statues, stain glass or paintings, but also there was no altar. In the front of maybe 15 rows of pews was a platform, with an even higher platform behind it. Above the platform was a plain, empty wooden cross. These platforms appeared to be the central focus of the room. The service began when a choir entered the room and walked to the front. They ascended to the highest platform. They sang several beautiful songs, all about God and Jesus. When they finished the pastor called all the children up to the lower platform. They sat around him and spoke about giving money to God. The children left the service leaving only the adults. At this point a small band consisting of a drummer, keyboard player, electric guitarist and vocalists gathered in front. Everyone sang to Jesus. A breath-taking soloist sang as the collection plate was passed around. I felt like I was in a lounge being entertained. There did not seem to be a formal structure to the service. There was no ritual involved. Most of the prayer up to this point had been in the form of song. However, it was now the pastor's turn. He ascended onto the platform; set up a multi-media presentation, asked everyone to open their Bible's to Mark's Gospel and started talking. Almost 45 minutes later he finished and I was exhausted. He was a very good orator, an Evangelist. He was a teacher. The service ended as it had began, with song. My feeling last week was of being welcomed and being home. This week I felt uplifted. The service was also entertaining and fun. The members of the congregation were friendly. The pastor, although lengthy, was captivating. The singing added to my leaving with a very positive feeling. I learned the lesson the pastor had set out to teach that day and I felt good. |
| Created by Laura Ellen Shulman |
Last updated: December 2002
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