Frequently Asked Questions
Is anyone welcome at Berea?
Absolutely! Jesus came as the Savior of all (John 1:29; 3:16; 1 John 2:2) and wants all to hear the good news about what He has done to save them from their sin (Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15-16). “God our Savior…desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3)
Is there a dress code for attending worship?
No. From jeans to dresses, our members have a variety of clothing tastes for worship. Many of our members recognize that going to worship the Most High God is a special event and they wear their “Sunday best” to reflect that. But that is not a requirement for attendance. What does God look for? Not the outward attire, but the attitude of the heart: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalms 51:17)
If I am not a member, will I be able to commune at Berea?
Because Communing together implies a oneness of fellowship, we want you to know what we teach before you commune with us. Partaking of Holy Communion also requires special spiritual preparation, lest someone eat or drink to their spiritual harm. Therefore you will notice at Berea, that even the children who have grown up at Berea do not commune until they have had a chance to learn more about our teachings and this sacred meal. By limiting participation in Holy Communion we do not mean to judge your faith and pray that you will not judge our practice to be unloving. If you are looking for an altar at which to commune, please speak with our Pastor.
Do you offer traditional or contemporary worship?
While worship style and musical preferences vary at Berea, for use in our worship services we have one requirement: it has to be based on the Bible. For the most part Berea uses a liturgical form of worship, with spoken and sung elements taken right from the Bible itself. The words of our worship elements can be traced back to the early days of the New Testament Christian Church and Lutheranism. While it may seem foreign to visitors at first, there is great value in its Biblical roots. For more information on the history and purpose of our Order of Worship, you can read this presentation which walks you through our liturgy: Narrative Service.
How do I become a member at Berea?
The Lord Jesus has commissioned His followers to make disciples (students or followers) of Him by baptizing in the name of the Triune God and “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) At Berea, we want to teach all of God’s Word. Those desiring to become members of Berea are taken through an “Adult Instruction Course” with the Pastor to learn about the basic teachings of the Bible and, thus, the teachings of Berea.
What does it mean to become a member?
By becoming a member of a Christian congregation you are telling the Lord and the world that you are a part of this group of believers because you have found them to be teaching the word of God in it’s truth and purity. By becoming a member you are telling your fellow members that you want to work together with them in building up the Kingdom of God – both within our fellowship and beyond our walls. A member supports this ministry with prayers, words of encouragement, personal involvement, and thank offerings. By becoming a member you are also telling the pastor that you are willing to place yourself under his ministry (as long as he teaches the true Word of God).
Is child care provided during the worship service?
At Berea, we believe worship is a family matter. The sounds of little ones chattering and squirming in the pews is the blessed sound of the future of the church. By having children present for worship, they are hearing God’s Word with their parents, and learning things from the Bible in our liturgy as we worship. From time to time, children are invited forward during the service for a brief “Children’s Sermon” which benefits young and old alike. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouht of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself’?” (Matthew 21:16)