Surfcity Church was started 25 years ago...last 10 years at present location in center of Surfer's Paradise. The building in which the church is located was a movie theater in its past life. Donated materials and volunteer labor enabled an extensive renovation to the dilapidated structure at reasonable cost. It was the pastor's prophecy.
There was the equivalent of a bouncer at the entrance for the services...probably to keep out rowdy vacationers.. Church greeters came forward to shake hands and offered coffee or tea before the service started. One of the pastors, Steve, came over and introduced himself. Most of worshippers were under 40, it seemed.
The service began with a musical group (guitar, drums, keyboard, singers) playing a lot of heaven, and Jesus oriented songs on the stage. The words of the songs were projected on the screen...like in karaoke but no bouncing ball. This phase lasted 30 minutes. All in all, good band/singers, and good sound system. The chorus lines were a bit repetitive.
Lots of hand waving, holding up hands to embrace/receive Jesus, etc. Some worshippers seemed to be praying out loud or "speaking in tongues." The sermon began and consisted of Bible quotations with elaboration on how Jesus died on the cross for us, and how lucky we are he did, etc.. The worshippers were asked to greet and hug their neighbors.
Also "symbols" were distributed, ie, a tiny thimble size plastic cup of grape juice with a piece of saltine cracker dipped in it. This had to do with "communion."
At various times people started coming into the aisles and randomly dancing in a somewhat sensual way by themselves. We're they being guided by the "holy spirit?" I have heard the term "holly rollers" in the past.
The "altar" was a podium in the front where people can come and pray during the *praise and worship" time. If someone goes up there, it is usually to receive Christ or receive Spirit baptism or to repent of a sin or to just ask the Lord for something or healing. People will go up and pray with that person and perhaps give spiritual advice when prompted by the Holy Spirit.
There was an invitation to accept Christ at the end of the sermon. The preacher made a general call to receive prayer from anyone who needs it. If someone is sick or has a loved one who is sick, they may be anointed with oil and prayed for. If someone is in the hospital, a cloth will be anointed and sent to them. Someone spoke about a healing last week.
When receiving prayer by the laying on of hands, some people may faint or fall to the floor. This is called being slain in the Spirit or falling under the power. True believers attribute this is simply as being overwhelmed by the presence of God, No the service did not worship or idolize surfers. Surfcity Church is a catchy name that caught me to attend their service. One of my hobbies is to study religions. I attended Catholic grade school and high school so organized religion was drilled into me for 12 years.After some critical thinking, I came to the personal realization that I do not believe in organized religion. To me, Jesus probably was a special Jewish person doing good deeds, setting good example to fellow man in his day who had developed a following. Virgin birth, son of God, rose from dead, walked in water, wine into his blood, etc...fairy tales for believers. Maybe he was an alien visitor...who knows?"
"I have no problems with Jesus, it's his fan club I dislike sometimes."
There was the equivalent of a bouncer at the entrance for the services...probably to keep out rowdy vacationers.. Church greeters came forward to shake hands and offered coffee or tea before the service started. One of the pastors, Steve, came over and introduced himself. Most of worshippers were under 40, it seemed.
The service began with a musical group (guitar, drums, keyboard, singers) playing a lot of heaven, and Jesus oriented songs on the stage. The words of the songs were projected on the screen...like in karaoke but no bouncing ball. This phase lasted 30 minutes. All in all, good band/singers, and good sound system. The chorus lines were a bit repetitive.
Lots of hand waving, holding up hands to embrace/receive Jesus, etc. Some worshippers seemed to be praying out loud or "speaking in tongues." The sermon began and consisted of Bible quotations with elaboration on how Jesus died on the cross for us, and how lucky we are he did, etc.. The worshippers were asked to greet and hug their neighbors.
Also "symbols" were distributed, ie, a tiny thimble size plastic cup of grape juice with a piece of saltine cracker dipped in it. This had to do with "communion."
At various times people started coming into the aisles and randomly dancing in a somewhat sensual way by themselves. We're they being guided by the "holy spirit?" I have heard the term "holly rollers" in the past.
The "altar" was a podium in the front where people can come and pray during the *praise and worship" time. If someone goes up there, it is usually to receive Christ or receive Spirit baptism or to repent of a sin or to just ask the Lord for something or healing. People will go up and pray with that person and perhaps give spiritual advice when prompted by the Holy Spirit.
There was an invitation to accept Christ at the end of the sermon. The preacher made a general call to receive prayer from anyone who needs it. If someone is sick or has a loved one who is sick, they may be anointed with oil and prayed for. If someone is in the hospital, a cloth will be anointed and sent to them. Someone spoke about a healing last week.
When receiving prayer by the laying on of hands, some people may faint or fall to the floor. This is called being slain in the Spirit or falling under the power. True believers attribute this is simply as being overwhelmed by the presence of God, No the service did not worship or idolize surfers. Surfcity Church is a catchy name that caught me to attend their service. One of my hobbies is to study religions. I attended Catholic grade school and high school so organized religion was drilled into me for 12 years.After some critical thinking, I came to the personal realization that I do not believe in organized religion. To me, Jesus probably was a special Jewish person doing good deeds, setting good example to fellow man in his day who had developed a following. Virgin birth, son of God, rose from dead, walked in water, wine into his blood, etc...fairy tales for believers. Maybe he was an alien visitor...who knows?"
"I have no problems with Jesus, it's his fan club I dislike sometimes."
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