Madeline Baltzer - Church Visit #1

Church name: Rock of Our Salvation Church

Church address: 118 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL

Date attended: September 20, 2015

Church category: Church of a different ethnic demographic and socioeconomic group

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

The worship service I attended was slightly more charismatic than what I am accustomed to; well, it was slightly more charismatic until the impromptu prayer of healing over a church member. At that point, the service crossed into much more charismatic than I’m used to. Additionally, the church was comprised of almost exclusively black members while I regularly attend churches that are predominantly white. It was similar to my church at home in that they are both Evangelical Free churches. It was also about an hour longer I am used to, running nearly 2.5 hours.

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

I was especially moved by worship, which was sung loudly and was accompanied by shouts and dancing. Members of the congregation were actively participating in creating the music, adding a syncopated clap, pulling out a tambourine and even sounding a spiral horn instrument I didn’t recognize. The emotion shown during worship was very appealing to me. One of the most interesting parts of worship was how the worship leader pumped up the church and worship team before beginning. That and the cheering that came after a song or prayer reminded me of the Ed Sheeran concert I attended this past week. Obviously, the object of the cheering in the two cases is very different, but it had the same enthusiasm.

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

The most challenging part of the service was how conspicuous I felt. The members of the church were very kind in introducing themselves to me, but I am more comfortable if I blend. This was especially difficult because I went alone and am rather introverted. The pastor also had all the visitors stand for a special welcome during the service, making me feel extremely visible. Normally, it wouldn't bother me so much, but I felt a little like a tourist at the service anyway. Certainly, we're all brothers and sisters in Christ, but because I don't live in their community, I felt a bit like an interloper.

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

The immediacy of need and intervention was more present in the worship service. In my regular context, I often feel like the attitude is toward some distant future, but at Rock of Our Salvation, the focus was on the present work of the Spirit and the needs that people felt this week. This view requires a dependence and reliance on God that isn't as obvious in my normal context.