This review is going to be pretty different, sort of, as far as what those of you may be used to…read moreseeing in my reviews. Usually I review restaurants, businesses and so on rather than churches particular; but this church has an important place in my life and in my heart, and it goes without saying that I must review it for those of you who are trying to figure out what church to go to.
This has been my church since I was a teenager, and of course there have been years where I haven't been here, whether that was due to college or sheer laziness; but one thing that has never changed is the impact of the message they bring. What I've learned recently is that it isn't so much the church itself that is important as it is how you grow spiritually in God's word and how strong the church and its community is in bringing God's word to you.
Here, Pastor James is perhaps one of the strongest pastors that they've had in a long time. I was around when we had Pastor Travis, but he left before I graduated high school. That was a very long time ago. They took several years, doing their best to find just the right person, before coming across Pastor James; and his sermons have been able to reach me nearly each and every time. He does push the importance of going out and sharing God's word with those you meet; but he also acknowledges that we, as Christians, are not to shove our opinion down the throats of others. It's all about waiting for the right time, and for me that's when someone decides to strike up a conversation about God and the scripture.
The people here are among the friendliest of people, and I can't fault them for much of anything. I will say, however, I pulled my grandparents to this church when I was a teenager and they've since stopped going here for personal reasons; but some of the older members will not stop asking me about my grandparents when I clearly do not want to discuss them or their feelings towards the church.
This church in particular has helped me through a very difficult time and era of my life, when I suffered a deep and dark depression. It was the community and fellowship that aided me, and I have always been grateful for them. Honestly, I could not ask for a better community here.
Now, I will say, I am a traditionalist. I prefer the pews, full church choir, and the like. They've modernized in the sense that they have chairs rather than pews, the choir is gone and it's now a band of sorts and the Sunday morning bible study has no young adults. I've come to understand that it is not the appearance of the church as much as it is the accessibility of God's word that is important; but I do have to admit it was hard for me to stomach some of those changes. The band is still good, they sing traditional hymns, the chairs aren't important and the Sunday sermon still is as powerful as it has always been because of the fantastic preacher, and most of the young adults in the church are serving in one way or another and therefore have no ability to attend Sunday School.
They are well plugged into the community, and despite having "Baptist church" in their name are more involved in preaching on scripture and passages, giving them more of a bible church feel than that of a Baptist church.
Honestly, I feel this place is my home and as I am human, I've had my struggles here and there. I know the thoughts of most might be "You're a bible thumper" but the truth of the matter is I am not. It is this church that has taught me many things such as: A true Christian does not judge another person how they live their life, they do not push their opinions down the throats of others. They are willing to talk and share the gospel with those who are willing or eager to know and discuss. We, as Christians or human beings make mistakes, and we only grow through those mistakes together. We trust that God, our Savior has our back and while we may stray and make those grave errors, He loves us no less than he did the day we were born.
That is something I've learned from the sermons and bible studies of those here at this church, something I've come to understand through my own faith and something I'm glad to share here now. So, recommending this church is easy for me because THIS is the church where I feel in this area has given the best opportunity to connect to God, grow spiritually in your own faith as well as providing a meaningful community of others to fellowship and grow exponentially.
I know it's a long review, but I can't think of a better way to review Harwood Terrace Church than the way this review is worded. This has been my home for at least 15 years, so no words can truly do justice. Just come, hear Pastor James and partake in the sunday school, you will not regret it.
