Newspaper Report

The local paper had an article titled "On a quest and a prayer", in summary the article is about a wellington reporter that went to a range of different sunday morning services and her observations about those services.
She starts by sharing her view of this "God Stuff" she believes that there is a greater being, a "supreme consciousness". She terms it "[I]...believe in a vast, intelligent and creative conscienceness of which we are all part."
The services she went to were:

• A Catholic Mass
• Wesley Methodist
• The Rock
• Destiny

She had some interesting observations that we need to be aware of if we are to communicate the gospel to people who do come to our door looking for this "supreme being"

The Mass

lost behind words and references I don't understand

"God feels remote, lost behind words and references I don't understand" the reporter felt completly lost during the service, she did not know what todo, the use of Christian Terminology completly lost her.

Wesley Methodist

there's pretty much a pew for each person

"Theres a place for you at Wesley Wellington announces the information booklet I'm handed. Sadly, it's more than true. With less than 30 in the congregation, there's pretty much a pew for each person."
This is a scary reality for a lot of churches out there, what once was a congregation of 200+ is now reduced to 30 people most of these are retired.

The Rock

The sense of community and belonging is huge. Here they all are, linked by faith and rhythm

The reporter seemed very impressed with this church "The sense of community and belonging is huge. Here they all are, linked by faith and rhythm" The only criticism she makes arecomments about the similarity of the music to "the catchy love songs playing on every commercial radio station in New Zealand"
From what I can work out The Rock is a part of the New Life churches in NZ, possibly an offshoot? Im not sure.

Destiny

Ten percent of your income...Before tax

The reporter was suprised by how open and welcoming Destiny was, she had expected "black shirted evangelicals looking alarmingly militant" What concerned her was the offering and how the congregation was asked twice to give "Ten percent of your income...Before tax"

Gives u some things to think about...