Church Aims to Make Service Comfortable: Bridge Christian Provides Short Sermons, Theatrical Worship and Relaxing Atmosphere
By Paul Nelson, Albany Times Union, N.Y.
Feb. 21–ROTTERDAM — No marathon services here. Saturday night worship at the interdenominational Bridge Christian Church lasts 59 minutes. Churchgoers are treated to a theatrical production, complete with a 13-foot wide screen, sound board and elevated television lights inside the sanctuary.
“It’s almost like going into a nightclub and seeing a secular Christian band perform,” said the Rev. James Bookhout of the band of musicians that rock the house during praise and worship. “It enhances the worship experience.”
Bookhout’s sermons are short and simple, no more than 30 minutes, and aimed at people dismayed with traditional services.
“This is a level where they can come in, understand basic biblical truths, and if they want more, we’ll introduce them to small groups and Bible study,” said Bookhout, who has been a minister for more than 30 years. “We take them from where they are and bring them in a deeper relationship with Christ.”
The 55-year-old Bookhout also serves as senior pastor at Spirit and Truth Christian Church on Broadway in Schenectady, a traditional church where services can last several hours.
On a recent day, Bookhout, garbed in a casual blue shirt and sneakers and with a gold cross dangling from his neck, talked about the Bridge Church’s mission.
“When they come in, we want to make them feel comfortable, we don’t want to hit them over the head with the Bible,” he said of the relaxed atmosphere that features a cafe with booth seats, stools and the so-called DMZ or demilitarized zone where people can chill out.
He recounted how people not accustomed to the foot-stomping and tongue talking at some churches were often frightened off.
“In their minds, it’s out of control. When people came in a time of great worship, they would get up and leave even before I preached the message,” he noted. “People would come and they weren’t prepared for that length and intensity of the service.”
Bookhout said he decided to open Bridge Church after repeatedly listening to friends and family and talking to locals. People told him they were interested in a “message designed for life application so they can be the person the Bible is talking about.”
“I’m not politically correct,” he said. “I’m biblically correct.”
Earl and Cortney Nicholson attend Bridge Church with their four children, ages 2 to 7.
Earl Nicholson, 35, said they’ve felt at home at Bridge since attending the Christmas Eve service. “We wanted something a little more comfy that didn’t put pressure as far as participating in all the services,” he said. “We wanted something we could grow with as well.”
Nicholson said the church meets their spiritual needs.
“After we leave, we walk away with a sense of feeling good about church and the message,” he added.
Bookhout hopes to add a second service on Saturday evenings and a third on Sunday. Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com. you goThe Bridge Christian Church, 2739 Hamburg St., Rotterdamhttp://www.thehighbridge.com374-4693
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Copyright (c) 2007, Albany Times Union, N.Y.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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