13 Things I Remember About Going to Church When I Was a Child

1. My pastor was a huge man – an ex-boxer – he had huge hands and used his fists to bang on the pulpit, but he was also very gentle.

2. The walls of our Sunday School building were painted the most icky shade of baby blue and mint green and turquoise.

3. One year we ate some pomegranates and dates….I remember thinking how cool it was to get to eat Jesus food

4. We never went to Sunday night or Wednesday night services….I’m not sure why.

5. When I was 9 I played the angel in the Christmas presentation. I got to stand up on covered boxes way above everyone else.

6. I could never figure out why kids who behaved at school acted like little wildcats when they were at church.

7. I never had the camaraderie of a youth group….I’m glad my children experienced that.

8. My church was extremely plain and basic. Frosted roll out window and no padding on the pews.

9. When I was baptized I remember being momentarily aghast….I didn’t realize the preacher would have on waders!

10. We sang songs like Deep and Wide

11. Crafts during Sunday School and Vacation Bible School were made with white glue and popsicle sticks

12. The church library was very small but always had interesting books I couldn’t get at my public school. They lady that ran our library was also the librarian at the local high school.

13. My favorite part of Sunday morning service was the singing. I was always a bit disappointed when the pastor stood up to preach.

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Thursday 13: Verse 6 13 of the Fastest Growing Churches

One of the interesting things I found out over at Outreach Magazine is a list of the fastest growing churches in the U.S. for 2006. The data is based on membership gains for 2005. Go take a look. Is your church on the list?

Here are the top 13 fastest growing chuches according to the report:

1. Lakewood Church gain in ’05….12,000 members. The picture is from the inside of Lakewood Church. Wow!

2. Park Cities Presbyterian Church gain in ’05….5,018 members

3. New Birth Missionary Baptist gain in ’05…3,500 members

4. Salem Baptist Church, Chicago (website was not working) gain in ’05…3,366

5. Without Walls International Church gain in ’05…3,330

6. Asbury United Methodist gain in ’05…3,240

7. St. Luke Community UMC gain in ’05…3,037

8. Willow Creek Community Church gain in ’05…2,900

9. Grove City Church of the Nazerene gain in ’05…2,861

10. Community Bible Church gain in ’05…2,858

11. Lifechurch.TV gain in ’05…2,847

12.St. John Baptist Church gain in ’05…2,500

13.Jericho City of Praise gain in ’05…2,500

Elementaryhistoryteacher and I worked on our posts together tonight and used the same computer. If you tried to visit her you ended up here. If you are looking for her Constitutional Convention 13 visit her HERE

Wordless Wednesday: Verse 7

Look for an explanation in comments.