Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church

 June 18, 2023

This Sunday, Father’s Day, I was privileged to have my dad join me in a church visit. Happily, an acquaintance who was about Dad’s age appeared for a chat soon after we came in the door of the Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church. Clearly this is a lively place; a lot of people were filtering  through the foyer. According to the multi-page bulletin, the church hosts Sunday School for both adults and kids at 9:30 and children’s church at 10:30 during the worship service. English conversations for international learners are offered at 9:15.

The medium-sized sanctuary was over half full when the music began after a welcome and invocation. To my surprise, I didn’t recognize any of the songs, lyrics projected above. A young couple was commissioned into local ministry service. Offering plates were passed as we watched a short Father’s Day-themed video. We sang the doxology and kids were dismissed to their own program. A couple of men led the congregation in scripture reading.

This was the last Sunday of this pastor’s ministry in this church. His message Winning the Worry War took its theme from Philippians 4:4-9. The bulletin had an outline with blanks for filling in major points as the sermon was given. We have a limited perspective, departing pastor Coats reminded us. Joy issues from the nature of God. “If you’re going to worry anyway, why pray? If you’re going to pray, why worry?” he quoted.

Like the church last week, the service ended with a simple dismissal.

On the way out, all fathers were invited to pick up a pie of their choice from tables in the foyer!

Midwest Believers Church

 June 11, 2023

The name Midwest Believers Church gives little clue what to expect from these local believers. I was curious to find out. The group is
certainly welcoming. I was greeted at the door, inside the door, at the sanctuary entrance, and again by a friendly person who came and sat beside me to chat for a few minutes.

The worship began on time when a petite black woman on keyboard began to sing in the Spirit. Soon she was accompanied by drums, guitar, and a responsive congregation. This free-flowing sing-song praise lasted for several minutes and then morphed into How Great Is Our God. Other contemporary songs followed, as well as the classic hymn How Great Thou Art. It was lovely.

After worship, the pastor’s wife announced a full schedule of upcoming events. Our worship leader/keyboardist, wearing a graduation robe, was acknowledged for just finishing her second degree.

With its drop ceiling and plain glass windows, this was not a fancy sanctuary. Nine rows of comfortable chairs—the back three roped off—replaced pews. No hymnals, nor bulletins. By the time the service ended, there were about forty people present, most of them white, no kids. The website says a nursery and children’s ministry are available at the 10:30 service.

Our message began with Romans 10.9-10 and focused on responding to God. Faith demands response. Our response sets God’s action in motion. Those who shrug and say, “it must not be God’s will” are missing out. The pastor gave two examples from his life. In one “I didn’t respond, so I didn’t receive.” In the other, he didn’t accept a negative diagnosis from a doctor but rather responded with scripture for a positive result. Our mouths play a big part, he said. Speak it out:  “Lord, I receive.”

The keyboardist and the drummer played again as the pastor took a minute to tell how to make an offering and then dismissed us.

The gathering area just outside the sanctuary was filling with people coming in, visiting, getting coffee before the second service. Back outside were more cars and more people arriving. Would they open the back three rows? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

As I headed across the parking lot, it occurred to me to ask someone what denomination this church is, since the name is so generic. Non-denominational, a nicely dressed woman answered, but part of the Full Gospel tradition. Ah, ok. A look at upcoming events on the webpage revealed more. MBC is having three days of special services this August. (Sounds like what we used to call a revival.) Here is the information about the speaker they're bringing in:  “Having worked closely with Kenneth Copeland in the Believer's Conventions for over 23 years, David carries an anointing to teach God's Word on faith and financial increase.”

NOTE:  Just as with the Eastside Church I didn't use the label Christian nationalist, I hesitate to say this church preaches the prosperity gospel. My purpose is to observe, not to evaluate. This time I called the office to ask if that term was heard as derogatory or affirming. "Yes," I was cheerfully told, "we believe the prosperity gospel."