I attended a new church here in Santa Rosa this week. Going to a new church by yourself and where you know no one can be very intimidating. No wonder it’s so hard for people who move to find a new place of fellowship. It’s funny how one can be so intimidated in a new place of worship that teaches God’s message of loving one another.
Maybe it’s because a lot of churches just flat out don’t feel very welcoming to someone new. Maybe there are a thousand other people in the room and you don’t know where to begin to find out information about the churches beliefs and ministries because the lobby is the size of a football field and there are a million different things and signs pointing in every direction.
Or maybe there are only a hand full of people that all know each other and they all know you are the new guy. So everyone stares at you and watches your every move shaking their heads at you for playing with your iPhone in church. But really you are reading the Bible and taking notes in Evernote from the sermon with your phone. (I brought my Bible but took notes on my iPhone)
A lot of churches don’t feel very welcoming, but yesterday this church did. Not only did the speaking pastor look and even sound like John Ortberg, but the worship was great. If someone goes to a new church and has to sit through a painfully awful band butchering 4 or 5 songs, they probably won’t come back the following week. They might not even make it to the message if it’s bad enough. And maybe the pastor really looks and sounds nothing like John Ortberg, but in my mind he did. I am talking about the worship anyways. Here are the 3 key reasons I liked it.
1. The drummer. He was good! A band is only as good as the drummer who holds them together. If the drummer is sloppy or offbeat it brings everything down. This drummer was tight in his transitions and fills and played real drums, which helps a lot. I can’t stand listening to electric drums! Thumbs up drummer.
2. The violin player. Yes I said violin player. There was someone playing electric violin with the band and they were really good at it. It wasn’t boring and out of place, but unique and creative. Much like Yellowcard. The violinist really added to the sound and style of the band…dug it! Thumbs up violinist.
3. Boy band headset mic man. The main worship leader was wearing a boy band headset mic while he played guitar and sang. This didn’t improve the sound or quality of the band at all, but I give him props for having the guts to be like one of the Back Street Boys and wear that thing while leading others in worship on stage. Funny to me. Thumbs up boy band man.
