Living Waters Church
On the church’s web site it says this… “Living Waters Church was started in July 2000 with 15 adults led by Pastor Jody Sambrick…. it was always his passion to see lives changed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. He dreamed of a church that would be culturally relevant in its music and message so that people who did not grow up in church could feel comfortable coming and meeting God and a loving church family. “ I witnessed some of the vision for the church this past Sunday when I visited Living Waters at their temporary home of Lancaster Christian School gym at 9AM. There is a couple of words that best describes this visit. First is “casual” – everything about the experience speaks of informal. How people are dressed; how the service begins; the aura of the morning and even components of the service. The second word – “coffee” – in all their literature they make the point that they serve Starbucks and you can drink some “java’ while the service is happening. I was surprised to see attenders get up during worship and just before the message began and get a refill. Third word – “contemporary” – obviously in regards to music. They have a four piece rhythm section and a couple of singers. Mostly new choruses, even though one of the songs was completely new to me and so fast that I could never “catch up” with the lead singer/guitarist. “Congratulation” is the fourth word – they honored their graduates in the service. The director of ministries handled the honoring. She donned a cap and gown and presented each grad with a gift. One nice touch was honoring older grads and grads who received their master’s and doctorate. I ran out of “c” words for the last observation – which has to do with the message. The message was the fifth in a series on the ten commandments and was entitled “Honoring My Parents.” LWC is a “Purpose-Driven-Saddleback” clone in every way – even with the message series. Maybe a final word is “Copy.” I am 95% sure that the sermon was one of Warren’s messages - if not a close copy. The sermon was read by the director of ministries, Jane Dutton. She was a good communicator but not a Biblical preacher. She referred to the proof texts in Warrenian usage of the Bible in a sermon (he uses many various translations to justify his points – not exegesis of a text). The talk was good for listeners who know nothing about the Bible and to encourage them to love their parents without being authoritative and convicting calling them to obedience. But growing Christians will find it hard to sustain their faith on that kind of preaching. In addition, she never really connected the message to where the idea came from – the Law! I am sorry that I missed the Pastor. It would probably be different if the main guy was there!
Lancaster Alliance Church
LAC has been a strong church presence in the county for a couple of decades. A few years ago their long time pastor moved to the Midwest and a missionary took over the pulpit. His health forced him to leave after two years and the church has had an interim pastor for the past three years. This lack of stability must have a strain on a church family. I visited on “Children’s Sunday” where they honored their kids and those who minister to them. I have to give LAC the “friendliest church award” (at this point in my church visit tour). A number of people extended themselves and said hello. The service began with having all the kids come to the front of the stage and they used CD music to lead in worship. The songs were geared for the kids, probably songs they sing in Children’s Church and I thought was a nice touch. If you are showcasing the kids – do kid’s music! Pastor Doug, the Children’s Pastor, then came and honored all the workers. It was excellent – he had all their names on the video screen and exampled all the different aspects of the children’s ministry. This is a high value and highly programmed aspect of the church. The interim pastor then came and preached a message entitled “Bless Our Children’s Workers.” He looked at three passages in the gospel of John to discover what terms Jesus might use to describe a children’s worker – specifically – “teacher, shepherd, and model.” It was a nice, simple, and encouraging message. Again, like many of these visits, I have only experienced one true expositional message. However, this was a special day and it is very difficult to prepare a message for these occasions, but still a single passage and real expositing could take place! The service concluded with communion, which seemed out of place with the special focus of the morning, but it was the first Sunday of the month which is traditionally when the Lord’s Supper is experienced. Talking about traditional, that is one thing I observed which I appreciated. There were a number of older believers in attendance and many dressed with what we might call “Sunday-go-to-church-attire.” I really thought it demonstrated a mature look to the visit. This is where my bias comes out. All that said, the communion was personally encouraging. There was not much instruction or direction given. I opened my Bible; read a Psalm and spent time personally worshipping the Lord. I am starting to feel the affects of not receiving regular times of worship, fellowship, and Bible teaching!