Today we visited McKinney Fellowship Bible Church, or McFBC. (Not to be confused with First Baptist McKinney, which is also referred to as McFBC) From their website, I was thoroughly convinced that this would be just another “first date.” We’d go out, enjoy our time together, have a few laughs, but not really sense a connection. And so, we’d be content to go our separate ways.
Well, boy was I in for a surprise. It wasn’t quite love at first sight, but I think we may be going on more than just a “first date” here. I know for a fact we’ll have at least a second date – and hopefully a third, and a fourth, and perhaps a long-term relationship. Hopefully even an exclusive one. But I’m getting ahead of myself here – I mean, really, we just met!
So here’s the scoop: We chose to attend the 10:00 service this morning, because 11:30 seemed too late and we don’t do 8:30 on Sunday mornings any more. Our first good sign: visitor parking. Now, this is not the first church we’ve visited to have visitor parking, or even have it clearly marked. But to have visitor parking clearly marked and have spaces available and easily accessible WAS a first. We walked in and easily found the visitor check-in to register Trey & Crisana. The volunteers were helpful and friendly, and soon we were off to drop off the kids in their respective classes. Trey received a warm welcome from his teachers and renewed a friendship with a former classmate from McNeil. Crisana didn’t receive the immediate welcome I had hoped for, but she seemed to have fun anyway. She was awfully excited to tell us about her Bible story when church was over.
Then, we decided to look the church over. We scouted around the different areas and found a cafe, a well-stocked library, and several cozy “hangout” areas. Very contemporary, very modern, very metro. We then ventured into the sanctuary and were greeted on the way in by two enthusiastic ushers – which, we later learned, all wear matching crisp white long-sleeve dress shirts embroidered with “McKinney Fellowship Bible Church” and lanyards with name tags to identify them. As we waited for the service to start, we enjoyed great music (“I Will Boast” – a PCBC favorite). And finally, the service began.
They have a full praise band – not orchestra. Drums, percussion instruments, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, piano…the only thing I couldn’t see was a keyboardist. The praise team was small (2 men and 3 women) but VERY good. The band and singers were true worship leaders and the congregation responded. It was a powerful, moving experience that more than once brought me to tears. We again took communion – a little different than last week – and the small groups pastor gave a wonderful message about worship based on Daniel 3. Before today, I’d never been in a church where the congregation applauded a sermon, but how cool was that?! I could seriously get into that kind of response.
As we left, we saw Trey’s principal in attendance, along with one of our Sloan Creek neighbors (and another one listed on the small groups host homes), which was encouraging to us. I found out later that one of the other Den leaders in our pack saw us there as well. So we’d be in good company!
Sure, there are things that are different. It’s a big church. They don’t have Sunday School, instead relying on small groups to build those relationships and provide discipleship opportunities. Kids and parents don’t go to church together. There’s no choir. But as we left, we were all saying the same thing: I could see us being happy here. I could see this being the place for us. We still have a few weeks left to “date around”, but the mere possibility that we could have found our future church home is exciting.
Deb – always enjoy your reviews of churches. No keyboardist? Hm-m-m