Not a Review

This is more of an observation from my time at Mars Hill in Seattle when my wife and I had an opportunity to visit this past week.. I was really excited to get to go to Mars Hill Ballard Campus and see the place that I see online all the time. Though we walked in a couple minutes late it was still not completely full. We weren’t sure if that was due to the summer, the fact that Mark Driscoll was out or if its always that way. Once we found a seat I had a chance too meet a couple that had been a member for about 6 years now of the Ballard Campus of Mars hill. They were showing me some of the things around the room and what it was all for. Essentially the room was a big open area that kind of looked like it was a warehouse because of the way the beams were set up. They have tv’s set up on about 6 of the support beams scattered throughout the room that had the video and scriptures along with the words to the songs.
The couple I met also showed me where communion would take place.

Pastor Bubba got up and told us to do a slight meet and greet and the speaker Bill Clem came up on stage and spoke on
Identity in part two of the series “Is all about Jesus“. The Stage that he preached on isn’t anything spectacular although on screen it looks great it really does not in any way distract because it really looks like most other stages except for the create with a tv on it for the questions and sermon notes.
After the sermon the campus pastor returned and prayed over the following moments and then the band began to play while the offering buckets were passed (which is new this year since he’s teaching the church about tithing). After the offering was taken then the band continued playing while people with juice, wine, and bread came forward. Each person that wanted to participate went up and dipped the bread in the wine or juice. After everyone was done the band continued to play. It made for one continuous cooperate worship time with offering and communion as part of worship.
I’m not saying that this is how every church should do their service but I did enjoy offering, communion and worship all being in response to the preaching of the word.
After the service and talking to the people we met a bit longer we proceeded to the lobby where the Mars hill Book shop is. Mark always says the book store but its a section of the lobby where they sell stuff. Its really cool though because they sell the Mars Hill music along with other local Christian bands. Obviously there is a section of his books that are all really really cheap along with a whole section of suggested reading at discounted prices (Piper, Sproll, Carson, History of the church, Puritans).
All in all it was not what I expected as far as “relativity” is concerned but really I was impressed because from the service and the time there if a visitor comes in there its not intimidating but it is very clear what the purpose is.
That was my experience at least.