Beijing International Christian Fellowship
I disappointed a few friends when we went to BICF instead of Congregation of the Good Shepherd this morning. Just felt that someplace we could walk was a better deal. So we went to Beijing International Christian Fellowship Central Business District.
I had been warned. It's a megafundamentalist church. Not true. Loved it (except for the very end).
BICF(CBD) is charismatic and charismatic light at that. The band and worship leader were okay. I think our contemporary music at ICB in the evenings is much better. The guy doing announcements was great. He mentioned poverty and environmentalism. Not your typical fundy stuff.
The sermon was fabulous. The pastor was vulnerable, authentic and humorous. He admitted to not having all the answers and highlighted God's grace throughout in a powerful way.
This worship service, which I think is a church within a church, was obviously thriving. I took a couple of things home personnally to apply (maybe at ICB)...
* I liked that they invited their guests to mention their names, where they are from AND how long they planned to be in Beijing. If you are going to ask people to stand up and embarrass themselves, might as well get all the pertinent info.
* I liked that the announcements guy highlighted the church vision. I think we could do that. Every Sunday? Not sure. Pastor or layperson? Better to be the layperson. That way there is always a slightly different angle on it.
* I liked that the pastor started the sermon by just giving an aside that had nothing to do with the sermon about us being responsible for our own spiritual growth. The shepherd leads the sheep to pastures but can't make them eat. Good way of saying something you want to without forcing it into whatever the scripture is for the day. Very practical.
* I liked that the bulletin invites guests to lunch and tells them it's on the church. There was even a "get to know another person" card in the bulletins.
* They did monthly bulletins (to save on printing?) and gave guests much more than a pen and brochure. They gave us a calendar. Perhaps a good idea for 2010?
All in all a great worship experience. The only downside was at the end as the pastor asked everyone to hug each other. Seemed a little much.
I had been warned. It's a megafundamentalist church. Not true. Loved it (except for the very end).
BICF(CBD) is charismatic and charismatic light at that. The band and worship leader were okay. I think our contemporary music at ICB in the evenings is much better. The guy doing announcements was great. He mentioned poverty and environmentalism. Not your typical fundy stuff.
The sermon was fabulous. The pastor was vulnerable, authentic and humorous. He admitted to not having all the answers and highlighted God's grace throughout in a powerful way.
This worship service, which I think is a church within a church, was obviously thriving. I took a couple of things home personnally to apply (maybe at ICB)...
* I liked that they invited their guests to mention their names, where they are from AND how long they planned to be in Beijing. If you are going to ask people to stand up and embarrass themselves, might as well get all the pertinent info.
* I liked that the announcements guy highlighted the church vision. I think we could do that. Every Sunday? Not sure. Pastor or layperson? Better to be the layperson. That way there is always a slightly different angle on it.
* I liked that the pastor started the sermon by just giving an aside that had nothing to do with the sermon about us being responsible for our own spiritual growth. The shepherd leads the sheep to pastures but can't make them eat. Good way of saying something you want to without forcing it into whatever the scripture is for the day. Very practical.
* I liked that the bulletin invites guests to lunch and tells them it's on the church. There was even a "get to know another person" card in the bulletins.
* They did monthly bulletins (to save on printing?) and gave guests much more than a pen and brochure. They gave us a calendar. Perhaps a good idea for 2010?
All in all a great worship experience. The only downside was at the end as the pastor asked everyone to hug each other. Seemed a little much.
