Church Visited on May 13

Today I attended Solid Rock Church in San Marcos, Texas. This is a Baptist church in doctrine only. They chose a long time ago not to have "Baptist" in the name, as so many new church plants are doing today. It was a treat to go here today because my good friend D.J. Castilleja was preaching. He's the associate pastor of the church. This church has one morning service on Sunday mornings, preceded by Bible Study times for various age groups.

I first attended the praise team rehearsal that began at 9:00 a.m. Their rehearsal began with Bible study, so in effect, they go to "Sunday School" together as a team. I think this is a great idea - worship pastor and team meeting together to study the Word. Following their Bible study time, which was very conversational, meaning that several people on the team offered input into the discussion, they held rehearsal for the day's worship music.

Their worship time consisted of 6 songs, only 3 or 4 of which were familiar to me. One song they sang was written by a couple of the band members. It was upbeat, and obviously well known to the congregation. No hymns were sung this Sunday, but the songs definitely were theologically sound, with moving lyrics and melodies. I sensed that God was truly "inhabiting the praises of His people."

Several people made me feel welcome. The ages are mixed in the congregation, which is also true of the praise team. The team was well rehearsed and did a great job. Following the music, D.J. walked to the front and invited the children to come up for a children's sermon time. The theme was the 5th commandment: Obey your parents in the Lord. He then talked about motherhood, using II Timothy 1:5 -

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

In a few minutes he confessed he really didn't know much about motherhood, and invited a panel of six women to the front. The PPT slide on the screen said "The View: Mother's Day Edition." D.J. then asked them all a series of 6 or 7 questions. Each of them answered the questions clearly, providing their own insights into what it means to be a mother. There were humorous moments, as well as emotional moments during this exchange. Doing this involved some creativity and risk taking, because D.J. had no idea how they would respond. But the risk paid off. It was a very good idea - something I'd never seen as part of a Mothers Day sermon.

Following the message, which was really given by D.J. and the ladies on the panel, there was a moving video clip about motherhood. The praise team then led us all in a song, and the service was concluded.

Like the other churches I've visited so far, this one didn't offer a public invitation. However, there were clear instructions in the worship bulletin, with suggestions for contacting staff members if interested in learning more about Christ, or in accepting Christ as Savior, or in joining the church. There were wooden boxes in the back for the offerings, with envelopes in a cubby attached to the boxes.

Besides the chairs, there were a couple of couches in the back, as well as round tables. People could sit on the couches, or at the tables for the entire service, if they felt like it. Overall, it was a very nice atmosphere for worship. I was blessed to have been there.