Andy Suk- Church Visit #3

Andy Suk- Church Visit #3

Church name: Chinese Church in Christ & Redeemer Bible Fellowship

Church address:920 Sierra Vista Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043

Date attended: 3/15/15

Church category: non-denominational, Chinese Church+ English Service

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

The worship service for the Chinese service was very similar in structure than my usual services. Although they were singing in a foreign language, I knew the words to the songs they were singing in English so I followed along. This particular Chinese service was different in that the kids and youth worshipped together with the adults. I don't know if this just depends on which churches you attend, but this was certainly different from my large semi-mega Korean church where there were separate services for all age-groups!

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

The most interesting thing about the worship service was to see all the generations worshipping together under one roof. Logistically, I can see why my home-church would have problems with everyone worshipping together; however, it was very beautiful to see 5 years olds worship in the same room as grandpas and grandmas. 

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

The reason why I was attracted to this church at first was because I wanted to visit Jeremy Lin's home-church. My second Sunday during Spring Break was free so I decided to make a trek up to Palo Alto to visit his church. I kind of misread the schedule and accidentally came to the Chinese service. The most challenging part was following the sermon with little to no Chinese language experience. However, luckily I stayed for the English service and followed just fine there!

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

I actually stayed for the Chinese service, the English service, and the young adult bible study. Yes, that is about 5 hours of church, but it was an interesting and somewhat new experience. The message was a generic message that was very gospel centered about Acts 17 and the difference between hearing and listening to the gospel. However, the most impactful part of the church experience was the young adult bible study after the services. This church took the Word of God seriously, as serious as we take the Word of God in our OT and NT and CT classes. However, this was a church. I never ever learned what I learned from Wheaton's bible classes in my bible studies. It was very interesting to see how much they wanted to know the Word and soak it up. This was definitely a new experience and told me a lot about the culture of Chinese churches.