in complete contrast to all the other churches we have visited/attended we went to the Riverside baptist church in Exeter last Sunday morning. our day started slowly and we had really given up on going to church that morning as we thought we only had time to do a quick circuit of the town before tackling a fair bit more driving for the rest of the day. the thought of trying to find a baptist church just seemed too much. after once more negotiating ring roads and yet another park and display car park we emerged from the car park to see a sign for the riverside baptist church adjacent to the car park, worship having started just a few minutes earlier. of course we went in
this was chapel worship . just a couple of families and some older couples. hymn singing with gusto, king James version of the bible, fervent spontaneous prayer and warm hospitality. it was mothering Sunday and the minister preached the most sympathetic sermon on the subject of the mother of James and john seeking preferential seating for her sons in the kingdom of God that i have ever heard. he also made an interesting connection with the preceding parable suggesting that the story of the landowner who gave the same payment to all his workers regardless of when they started may have prompted her request.
he also mentioned cromwell as a hero. only the night before i wrote on the previous blog that i was yet to hear a favourable word about cromwell. here it was.
on the wall of the church they had displayed their membership covenant. i've never seen anything like that before. it must have connections with earlier baptist Church membership coveneants. i know there were standard covenants that baptist churches have used in times past and it was very interesting to see one that was still given prominence in their church life. they were very happy for us to take a photo hence the photo at the top of the blog. turns out they are an independent baptist church
we felt very at home and thank the riverside baptist church at exeter for their welcome
this was chapel worship . just a couple of families and some older couples. hymn singing with gusto, king James version of the bible, fervent spontaneous prayer and warm hospitality. it was mothering Sunday and the minister preached the most sympathetic sermon on the subject of the mother of James and john seeking preferential seating for her sons in the kingdom of God that i have ever heard. he also made an interesting connection with the preceding parable suggesting that the story of the landowner who gave the same payment to all his workers regardless of when they started may have prompted her request.
he also mentioned cromwell as a hero. only the night before i wrote on the previous blog that i was yet to hear a favourable word about cromwell. here it was.
on the wall of the church they had displayed their membership covenant. i've never seen anything like that before. it must have connections with earlier baptist Church membership coveneants. i know there were standard covenants that baptist churches have used in times past and it was very interesting to see one that was still given prominence in their church life. they were very happy for us to take a photo hence the photo at the top of the blog. turns out they are an independent baptist church
we felt very at home and thank the riverside baptist church at exeter for their welcome
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