On Spiritual Holiday - The Second Mile Church

Definition of Holiday:

1. Holy Day: a day set aside for special religious observance
2. A day on which one is exempt from work
3. (chiefly British) Vacation: often used in the phrase on holiday

Tom and Colene are on a spiritual holiday - visiting churches in the East Valley. You are invited to share our experiences as we mark our trek on the blog.

A worship experience, just like a dining experience is more than just the food (or sermon) that is served. It includes the service (staff), the other dinners, the physical comfort, the available menu options, the style, and the ambiance created by music and pacing of the event.

As we twisted through the ASU Polytechnical campus turning at the clear and easy to read signs for the Second Mile Church, Tom wondered aloud if there was cheese at the end of this maze. To our delight, there was!

Greeters in the parking lot let us know that we were indeed at the right spot. More greeters offered us materials and a free book at the information table. The flyers "What We Believe" and "Getting Acquainted" were clear, full of just enough information and directed us to the church website for more. And who could resist getting the gift of John Piper's book, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. More greeters offered coffee and donuts as we entered the building. And all these greeters were discreet - we felt welcomed, but not overwhelmed or assailed.

This brand new church plant by East Valley Bible Church is clearly a Missional Church. More explanation here.

Though the majority of the church is young people, there is a good mix - some well past 60, some in their prime, many in their 30's and 20’s, and some teens, children and babies. While they have children's ministry from birth to 5th grade, all ages are welcome in the main meeting.

The worship was vibrant, loud and passionate. The songs were God directed and scripturally sound. The worship leaders were just that - talented musicians who led us in worship rather than providing a performance. Rather than a full band, the instruments were limited to just a guitar and bass - but they were played well and the music filled the room.

A unique (to us) regular feature is "God Stories." Every Sunday you get to hear "one person's story of God's transforming power." Our week a salt-of-the-earth Cowboy from Queen Creek shared. It was great to hear a normal person talk about his faith in an unscripted manner. And the Pastor gently and deftly interviewed him - keeping the story moving and on point while letting us see the cowboy’s distinct personality and heart.

Missional churches have an interesting blend of the ancient and the contemporary. One of the ancient things they did was have the congregation stand for a formal reading of the Bible together: A great way to incarnate respect for the Word of God. And we read the text that the preacher was going to address: Mark 4:1-34.

On to the main course. I am amazed when a man can preach with no podium and such few notes. Delivery by this pastor was very good –he was engaging, interactive with the congregation and presented a verse by verse exposition of the Bible. The presentation was easy enough for a non-Christian or a new believer, and yet had some great fresh morsels for the more seasoned Christians. The pastor explained the hard verse (10-11) and he did a good job. He did not give a cliché or go for the “cheap shot”; and he did not hobby horse any particular pet doctrine. He encouraged faith – and ended with the thought that fruit is not action but desire –desire to know God, to follow Him.

We ended with communion, singing an updated version of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, and a benediction.

The Second Mile Church is definitely worth a second visit!