Church Visit 1 Chad Reitz

Church name: Wheaton Bible Church

Church Address: 27 W. 500 North Ave, West Chicago Il 60185

Date attended: 9-14-2014

Church Category: Spanish Service



1. Describe the worship service you attended.  How was it similar to or different from your regular context?



The worship service that I attended was similar to my home church in many ways.  The music was upbeat and seemed to be similar music that we sing back home, but just in a different language.  Another thing the worship service did was read a passage of scripture, this is something that we do back home as well.  The worship service was set up like my services back home which consisted of a worship group that had a lead singer accompanied by backup singers and others who played different instruments.  The worship service was being done by just Hispanic members of the church while back home in our Hispanic service we have some white members who help play in the Hispanic service and even sing and lead them through song to song.  The worship service was different for me just for the main reason that it was in another language which made it difficult for me to be able to understand what I was singing and reading. 



2.What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?



What I really found most interesting about the service was just how the congregation really got into worshipping and singing.  They clapped and danced as they were worshipping God.  These people looked as if they really loved this time that they were getting to be away from the world and getting to just rejoice and sing praises.  Another thing that I really liked about the service was just how friendly everyone was especially to us looking like complete outsiders since we were white kids.  I really liked also the family feel that was there, parents had there kids in the service with them and the kids would all sing, dance and love and hold onto there parents seeking even more love and attention.

I also really enjoyed the worship service it was very interesting to see how a different culture worships the same God that I do.  I really enjoyed the preaching as well because of the conviction and power that he brought to the message even though I didn't understand it.



3.What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?



The thing that I found most challenging about the worship service was not being able to understand anything that was being said.  I couldn't understand the bible scripture either until I looked in my bible and finally understood what was being read.  It was very difficult to follow along and understand anything about the service because of the language barrier that I had.  I've taken Spanish before but it was no where close to be able to speak and understand everything that was going on in the worship service between preaching, singing and scripture reading.  It was also challenging because when greeting other people they would speak to you in Spanish while we tried our best to respond, but typically it was very clear.  The language difference made the visit difficult at times, but was still and very good experience and it allowed me to see another culture and how they worship and praise on Sunday mornings like other fellow believers.



4.What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?



The scripture that was being presented that Sunday came from Luke 18:18-28.  This passage was about the rich ruler that said he followed all of God's commandments and Jesus tells him to go and sell everything he owns and then to come and follow him.  The rich man was very disappointed because this was a hard thing for him to do and Jesus knew that.  I think this passage really helped me to remember that this life isn't just about making money and having material things that make me feel good.  It made me remember that the one thing that I desire to have in my life is Jesus and to get to spend an eternity with him one day.  This passage also spoke to me because with currently being a college student I don't make much if any money during the school year which can be hard.  I know that after college too that money can and will be tight at times, but I know one thing that will stay the same and always help me through is that I have Jesus as Lord and Savior to rely on and to help me through those hard times.