Sherese James-Grow

Review of Church by the Glades

I began to write this as I sat in the traffic gett...

I began to write this as I sat in the traffic getting out of the parking lot after a Sunday night service. I feel really bad. I went to visit because I wanted to familiarize myself with churches in the area that have a night service. Driving into the lot, one can guess that it is a megachurch. And unfortunately, megachurches are becoming well known for squeezing out the Holy Spirit by packing in bodies. Was this different? I wanted to see and hoped so. I have been seriously trying to find churches who are led by the Holy Spirit and strive to always lift up Christ. I wanted to see a church not focused on theatrics and themes, but to see them pause and wait to allow The Holy Spirit to fill the room. I wanted to see a church that instead of numerous announcements of vain events, I would see the leaders open up in prayer and then close with prayer at the altar for those who want it. Instead, the service I attended welcomed me with two leaders dressed in Harry Potter costumes. The stage and "sanctuary" seemed as if I were stepping into a small scale version of Universal Studios. After the announcements, a guy bursts onstage as if he was the main concert rock star singing an Imagine Dragons song. As quickly as the song ends, he is off stage and then begins the teaching. And from the teaching I am still confused. Was it wise to use Harry Potter to teach on friendship, haters, and family? Did I need to see large pics of Harry Potter and hear how great the books are and the author? Did her face need to pop up on the screen? Did I need to hear that "kids have discernment" so it's ok, but don't let them watch Deathly Hallows? Did I need to then see a clip from Deathly Hallows eventually played towards the end of the message with kids in seats all around me? I wondered if I missed a disclaimer or maybe the long justification at the beginning was supposed to make everything ok?

Whatever way I looked at it, I walked out of there missing Christ. I was yearning to see Him and truly worship Him with other Believers. Instead, I got another entertaining talk....and I've been to too many of those. If you feel you are part of the remnant truly seeking God and wanting to grow in depth with Him, this is not the place for you.