How do you describe it?

The church I am part of is quite diverse. If you want young and energetic then our church has some of those elements in it. If you want traditional and quiet, we have that too. I was talking with someone the other day and I needed to describe it. They were people who would go to church infrequently so they had some expectation of what church would be like, but I didn't know what to emphasise. I had loads of thoughts running though my mind as I did my best to paint a picture. I started with the music:

"We have an organ, of course".

Of course we have an organ, everyone knows churches have organs,

"but we also have a Drummer, a squeeze box, a clarinet, a cornet, a bass guitar and an ordinary guitar. Have I missed anything? Oh yes, a piano".

It's not until you say it out loud that you realise exactly how many instruments we do have. I watched their eyebrows raise. Then, as they had children, I thought I would talk about them:

"There's quite a few children, it varies a little each week, depending on who is away or there. We have a couple of little areas near the front with a few toys in for the younger ones".

Is this normal? I don't know I've been part of it so long that conducting the church service in the middle of a crèche is quite normal to me, but would you expect it if you were visiting?

"I know what its like to have children in church, so we do our best to help them stay happy".

God willing, I'll never forget what it is like having a two year old in a church, there have been days when I have felt like every eye in the building has been watching me try and stop a two year old have a paddy.

"The younger children often dance in a corner at the front during the songs".

Now, what would you expect to wear if you were going to church for the odd service (but they are not that odd surely)?

"I suppose if you were looking for a dress code, smart casual would sum it up".

But would it? Some people wear more formal clothes and some people don't, goodness whatever you wear no one would look twice at you. Well... perhaps that's not quite true. Why did I raise this issue?

"Not many people wear ties, and I don't wear one that often".

Do they know that Baptists don't wear dog collars? Perhaps now is not the time for that discussion!