Finding a Church Home-Visit Four

At this point, I just moved to PA less than a week ago and was here near Pittsburgh for the next two years. Through the Emergent Pittsburgh site and Presbymergent site I had come across The Open Door, a missional church community. As I checked out the website, I knew I needed to join them for worship one day as it appeared to mirror and resonate with the church planting discussions I was part of in NC.

First impressions
At first, I just didn't know if I was in the right location. The Union Project isn't clearly labeled and I didn't see any signs for The Open Door. So, I asked people where to go, found my way into the building and then into the service. There I walked into a circle of people praying, I guess I was just too early. After I sat down, and the prayer circle dispersed, a couple of people came over to talk with me before the service, including one of the pastors.
The service
Powerful. The songs were a mix of contemporary that I knew and some knew to me. I don't know if it was because of the acoustics in the room or just because of everyone there but as we worshipped God through song, the music filled up every space in thr room. It's been a long time since I've heard that sound, since the last time I was at a Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry in their sanctuary. Some of the community is going to Mexico on a mission trip shortly and one of the worship leaders is a member who now serves God by teaching English in Guatemala. She began leading songs in both English and Spanish...and that's what got to me. Those gathered there were singing just as loud and powerfully in a language that isn't native here and may not be know by all as they were in English. I want to be apart of the church who doesn't care that they don't know they languauge and doesn't let it stop them from worship God.

The message
He spoke on Matthew 28 and spoke about the movements seen in scripture. (1. God speaks in some way, shape or form. 2. Fear strikes us 3. God reminds us that he will be with us. 4. God reminds us of the task)

The church
Overall people weren't extremely friendly, but they weren't not welcoming either. Mainly it's comprised of young adults and those who live in Pittsburgh. A church plan in it's third year it is undergoing conversations on how to be Christ in the community the church is in.

Overall.
It's a no brainer, I'll be there the following week.