REVIEW: St Elizabeth, Cincinnati

4

Matt Casper went to church again last Sunday - this review is from him.

Church Name: St. Elizabeth
Church Location: Cincinnati, OH
Church Website: http://www.vineyardcentral.com/

Name of Pastor: Kevin Rains
Date Attended: March 18, 2007
Overall Rating: 6. “Just about what I’d expect from Church.”
Overall Rating: 7. “Not bad. Some good jokes & points to remember.”
Overall Rating: 8.“I took notes through the sermon. Great worship! Very exciting!”

Was the building easy to find? If you drove, was it hard to find parking? How about the exterior or interior signage – what would you do differently?
It was easy to find as it was next door to where I was staying (in the home of the church leaders). It’s a “new church” in an old church building. There was little signage or any of the traditional mileposts/marketing one se es at today’s “non-denominational” churches.

Did anyone approach you and speak to you before the service got underway? If so, how did you feel about that? Can you share their name(s)? Did you know them before your visit?
Yes. Members of the community were very open about having me and anyone attend their church. I knew some of them and was always meeting more of them.

As you observe the people “doing their church thing”, what goes through your mind? Are you able to understand why they do what they do? Do they seem sincere?
I don’t understand why any Christian or believer does what they do so far as it concerns worshipping a supernatural deity. I DO understand how what happens at this church and within this community is a force for good, for making the world a better place. Their sincerity is inspiring. Even though I think they’re speaking only to the voices in their heads when they pray, I think they’re acting with h earts full of love. And I love that in turn.

What do you think about the rituals (the liturgy or the program)?
I think they are entirely unnecessary. You can make the world a better place without believing in a supernatural deity.

Check out the church program/bulletin. Is there anything in it you find confusing or offensive? If this were your “business” how would you improve this communication piece?
There was no bulletin. This is not a business. It’s a mission and you get the sense of that immediately.

What did you think of the music? Did you enjoy any of it? Was it boring? Write down the feelings you had while watching or participating.
The music was standard Christian music, which I always find a little off-putting with its references to supernatural beings, heaven, hell, and all that. The feelings I had were “Why? Why not just be people? Why do you need all this imagery and backstory?”

What did you think of the prayers? As you listened to the prayers, what did you learn about the people, either good or bad? Did they “major in the majors” or get lost in the minors?
The prayers were irrelevant to me. I think I’m starting to see prayer–voiced prayer, anyway–as a way of making a public declaration on what you hope to achieve. Saying these things, these goals, in front of others in a prayer is, I think, a way of holding your feet to the fire. Like telling your friends you’re going to lose 20 lbs. this year. By going public, you increase your committment by default.

Did the speaker or pastor seem likeable? Weird? Is she/he a person you’d enjoy having coffee with? If not, why not?
Absolutely. Rose Swetman was the guest speaker, and she said something wonderful about this particular community, how you don’t need to believe to belong, and how they put belonging before belief, which is a great, great thing.

How about the quality of her/his talk: does the speaker need public speaking lessons or is she/he pretty good? Did she/he seem engaged/sincere/condescending?
She was very good. She spoke about her shortcomings, she connected people to her story. I didn’t check my watch once.

Did the talk itself hold your attention? Was it enjoyable? Thought-provoking? Relevant? Credible? Did any part(s) of it particularly stand out to you in a positive or negative way?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, no. The only part that wasn’t credible was the whole supernatural deity part. Because that part isn’t ever credible, in my opinion.

Did anyone approach you and speak to you after the service ended? If so, how did you feel about that? Can you share their name(s)? Did you know them before visiting?
Yes. Kevin Rains, Jason Evans, and a few others… “So… what did you think?” And their questions were not geared for flattery (me to them) or trying to convert me. But simply honest: what did you think of our church?

Did you bring any adults or children with you to our service? If so, ask them about their experience. What did they tell you?
Traveled solo, as is my wont. But if I were in Cincinatti, and my wife said, “I’d like to check out a church service,” this is where I’d go. Hands-down.

How was your experience at the church overall? Did you enjoy it? Would there be any point in you going there again?
It was wonderful. This community and others like it give me hope for Christianity. Even though I’d like to see all religion go away someday, it’s currently a part of my world. And if to see it practiced without hypocrisy is the best I can hope for, then this church gives me that hope.

If this church expects to attract people like yourself, what do you suggest they improve that you haven’t already mentioned?
Tell people about what you’re doing. Don’t expect a supernatural deity who (in my opinion) does not exist to fill your churcch. Go get ‘em!