By viewer requests, I've had a number of people asking to visit a Reformed church:
For Week 20, drove to the suburb of Cleveland to Parkside Church, home church of renowned Reformed pastor, Alistair Begg. At the end of the first 52in52, found myself attracted to the Reformed movement. Tim Keller was instrumental for me, and I'd later would sample teachings from R.C. Sproul, John Piper, and Paul Washer. While the preaching and theology all lined up for me, when I went online to learn more about Reformed theology, the people and forums were verbal bloodbaths. Insults, arrogance, and people trying to "out-Bible-smart" the other in theological debates. No grace. No love of thy neighbor.
Despite the online carnage, I recalled hearing a few teachings from Alistair Begg. He wasn't trying to win theological arguments, he was preaching with truth and spirit behind his lingering Scottish accent. Many of the Reformed preachers from 2014-'15 aren't in the pulpits nowadays, but Begg still preaches often from his mega(ish)church. Some thoughts:
1) You could tell driving in, the church had resources at their disposal. Parkside Church was huge, neighbored next to a golf course with a second golf course a few miles south.
2) Majority of men wore golf polo shirts, though many wore their Sunday's best. Most women had something on nice, many in floral dresses.
3) Auditorium was quite large and filled up for the first of two services.
4) Appreciated from the onset, worship team mentioned they wanted to worship "in truth and in spirit," a nod to John 4:24.
5) Alistair Begg came out after a few worship songs. Class-act type of preacher. His talk started with announcements of church members who needed prayer. For such a largely-attended church, was impressed how a sense of community still existed here.
6) LOTS of programs to get people connected. After services, walked by several rooms with niche ministries. One was called Widow Connection.
7) Checked out their in-church bookstore. They had sections devoted to Reformed figures like C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, and Alistair Begg himself.
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