JULY 10- DAYTON CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER, MAIDEN LANE CHURCH OF GOD, AND BARNEY WARREN'S FRONT PORCH

Christian Life Center – Dayton, Ohio

Wow, what a great service. I can’t really put my finger on what made it so special, other than the fact that I was attending an 8:30 a.m. service and EVERYONE WAS WORSHIPPING! Isn’t the early service the “laid back” service for morning people who just want to get church out of the way so they can get on with golf and gardening? While contemporary in nature (newer songs, electric guitars, etc.), the service retains a somewhat traditional feel by not being overly processed. The worship leaders and speakers were very “down to earth”, speaking as though they’ve live across the street from you for years. While somewhat corny, a skit was well performed and integrated fully into the theme of the service (stepping outside of your comfort zone despite fears). The pastor’s sermon was enjoyable and relevant, delivered from atop a diving board in the center of the Chancel. This is truly what I would consider a “next step” church- basically where I would like to see North Avenue in the next few years. If time permits, I would like to visit again. I would also like to arrange appointments with the church leadership to discuss their worship preparations. As an aside, I also enjoyed the amount of involvement from the laity in worship. Between the skit, band, praise team, and small choir, there were at least 20 people of various generations participating. The involvement defeats any feeling of “concert” or “show”. Very refreshing.

Maiden Lane Church of God – Springfield, Ohio

Just a quick note about Maiden Lane. I was bless to spend an hour with Pastor Randy Spence after the worship service to talk about his church’s vision. As it happens, Maiden Lane had launched a “satellite” church in a neighboring town. The church isn’t so much a “plant” as it is an extension of their ministry. The site has its own pastor to oversee pastoral care, and counseling, and follow-up, but preaching is done on a rotational basis between the site pastor and other pastors at Maiden Lane, including Randy. The new site is growing, and Maiden Lane currently has plans to launch new sites as smaller churches in the area close their doors.

Church of God Campgrounds – Springfield, Ohio

On the way out of Springfield, I actually “found” the Ohio State Campgrounds due to a construction detour. I decided to stop and look around. What a bummer that I didn’t have my camera! The original Tabernacle is still in use, and a walk through it takes you back over 100 years. However, even more exciting was the fact that the famed Church of God songwriter Barney Warren had a cottage at the campgrounds, and its STILL THERE! I spent a good 30-40 minutes sitting on the porch, humming B.W. tunes to myself. The sun was out, and I could almost hear the Tabernacle echoing those songs as they were most certainly sung there… as new songs! I was told by the caretaker that the cottage will be disassembled at the close of the summer and restored on the campus of Anderson University as a Barney Warren museum. I plan to return in a few weeks to get those pictures!