What to Expect

We know checking out a new church can be an intimidating experience. We certainly don't want you to be intimidated, so hopefully we can easy your mind by giving you some idea of what to expect.  Here are some questions we anticipate you might have.  If you have any additional questions about the church, please contact us.

How should I dress?
What kind of music can I expect?
Would you describe your service as formal or informal?
Will I be singled out or asked to introduce myself?
Do I have to give you money?
What's the deal with Connection Groups?
What about my kids?
I have teenagers.
I don't know what a Wesleyan is.
What's your goal?

 

How should I dress?
We're very serious about Jesus, but not so much about how you dress.  In fact, wear whatever you're comfortable wearing. You won't see many suits.  You'll see a few ties and some jeans, but there are no real expectations for dress.  God looks at the hearts.

 

What kind of music can I expect?
Well, we're a multi-generational church because we believe when we get to heaven, everyone won't look the same. So we'll sing some contemporary songs and some hymns. Usually, we'll have a band but will still fire up the organ from time to time.  People like different styles, but we believe God loves it all as long as we worship with pure hearts.

 

Would you describe the service as formal or informal?
That's kind of a loaded question, but thanks for asking.  We are very serious about God and our worship, but we don't believe worship needs to be formal or dull. God should give us joy.  We laugh a lot and cry sometimes.  You'll see an occassional clip from the Three Amigos, but also times of silent prayer.  We believe worship service should deal with real issues that are in all of our lives, so we're not afraid to address the big questions and dig deep to become what God created us to be.

 

If I come, will I be singled out or asked to stand and introduce myself?
Nope.  We're not into embarrassing our guests.  Now, you probably won't be able to come in and slip out without anyone talking to you.  We're pretty friendly.

 

Will I have give you money?
Again, no. We're not after your money. Giving to the church isn't something you should do because you feel obligated.  We get the privilege of partnering with God to accomplish His mission.  If you choose to become a part of our church community, then we'll have some expectations that you support the ministry of the church.  But until then, please don't feel like you have to give. 

 

What's the deal with Connection Groups?
We know the Connection Groups are a little out of the ordinary, but we believe the traditional model of church can often be ineffective.  You go to Sunday School for an hour a learn one thing, then go to worship service and hear a sermon about something completely unrelated.  Then if we were to call at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon (don't worry, we won't), most people probably wouldn't remember either one. We believe the sermon becomes more effective when we can sit down afterward and talk about it--what hit home, what we agree with, what we disagree with, and mostly how we can put it into practice.  So we have worship service first, then we take a little break and divide in Connection Groups and get down to business.

 

What about my kids?
Kids are very important, so we want to always make sure there is age appropriate teaching for them. We provide nursery care for children up to age three during worship service and Connection Groups.  On Sunday mornings during worship service, we have children's church for kids age 4 through 3rd grade and we automatically transition them to Sunday School while the adult Connection Groups are happening.

On Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 8:15 is KidsPark for kids age 4 through 4th grade and Route 56 for 5th and 6th graders.  We put a high emphasis on both fun and learning.  We want to teach kids what it means to follow God, but we try to do it in a way that they'll want to learn and want to bring their friends.

 

I have teenagers.
OK, first of all, that's not really a question, but we get what you mean.  We have a great program for teenagers grades 7 through 12.  We do have a Connection Group for teenagers on Sunday morning.  Our main time for youth is what we call "the Reservoir."  This is a place where teens can connect with other teens as well as have their thinking challenged in how they think about God and the world around them.  If you have questions about the Reservoir, contact Mark Keeler.

 

I don't know what a Wesleyan is.
Again, not a question, but we get it.  If you're from Minnesota, you probably know what a Lutheran is and probably know what a Catholic is, but a Wesleyan?  Maybe not.  If you want the full description, you can visit the website of the Wesleyan Denomination.  But basically, the Wesleyan Church is a small denomination in the Methodist tradition. We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.  We believe Jesus was an actual historical person and the Son of God who died for the sins of the world and was resurrected so someday we will also be resurrected.

We believe that in the meantime, we're called to partner with God in the world.  That means we want to share the good news that Jesus brings life.  We believe it also means that the church should work to make the world a better place right here and now.  We don't think the only reason to belong to a church is to get to heaven.  True life happens here and now.  So when we're working for social justice and feeding the hungry and working to improve our schools, we're doing God's work.

We're happy to be Wesleyans, but to be honest most people don't come to the church because it's Wesleyan.  We don't see other denominations as our competition, but family.  We might have different approaches, but our goal is the same, that people everywhere understand they can find life and forgiveness through following Jesus.

 

What's your goal?
We want Waite Park to be the Life Center of our neighborhood. It's not our goal to become a mega-church (not that mega-churches are bad).  In a fragmented society, we believe there's value in being a place where people can walk to church and be involved in bringing the community together. We see a place that wherever people are in their life, whether they consider themselves a sinner or a saint, that we can come together and follow Jesus together and grow together. 

We want to make sure that no one has walk through this life alone and that they know they have a heavenly Father who loves them and wants what's best for them no matter who they are or what they've done.