Sevier Heights

Ok...this would have come earlier, but i decided on a whim to go to Georgia for a Chick-fil-a grand opening with a buddy of mine(which i'll probably blog about sometime soon...like probably tonight or tomorrow).

Let's get down to it:

I got there early to the 930am service, and checked in at the visitors booth, introduced myself and asked for directions to the Bible Fellowship(read: sunday school) classroom that the class for my age group met at, and was shown to the class by a gentleman named Doug(i think...it's been nearly a week and not a lot of sleep since). After Doug(i'm running with it) walked me back down to the lobby(narthex, foyer, lounge, corridor, gathering area) of the church, he asked me if i had any questions that i could answer for him(which i didn't, seeing as i am both anal-retentive and methodical to nearly a fault), and then i went into the sanctuary. I chose a seat in the back half, in the end of the first third of the rows on the riser at the back, about 4 seats to the inside of the right side of the section. I was bookended by two couples, one retired(on my right), and another expecting(on my left).

The service started with organ. Let it be said here: the only organ that i like is a Hammond B-3 played through a Leslie speaker. That was not that kind of organ. Not a good start for the Baptists. The music was blended, and really done well. It's a big church, with a big budget for this kind of stuff, and it shows. Instrumentation was performed by a full orchestra, and was backing what was at least a 250 member choir. (Adam, if you're reading this...a good summary would be: take everything that your dad has ever tried to do musically at Salem, and do it better than anyone could ever imagine possible.)

The pastor of the church spoke about money, which i don't mind...but i don't know...when you're making as much as i've heard he makes...it sort of sounds a little hollow. But i digress-the sermon wasn't really all that interesting anyway.

After the service, I went to the Young Singles class that met at 1100am. I had a good experience, some of the folks were friendly to me, and i was clinging rather closely to the cup of coffee that i had run across in the hall. However...i just don't think it's what i'm looking for. If you're looking, be warned...the church does present itself to be a little more contemporary than it really is. The print stuff that i've seen from there(all the visitor mailings i received this week) is phenomenal. And the facilities are brand new and have that sort of "modern evangelical" look to them. However, it's only a really good Southern Baptist Church. There's nothing wrong with that, and if you're looking for that, then you've found a good one there. But it does not make it to Round 2.