So I've been meaning to write about the church we have been going to since we've arrived here in Davao. On our first Sunday here, we went to church where the directors of Mercy go. It is called Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF) and is located in the same plaza as Victoria Mall. So it's about a 15 minute walk for us. Their mission is to make Christ-committed followers who make Christ-committed followers. Simple. To the point. I kind of like it.
Their service is also “simple”. Everything is in English, although you can usually count the number of white people there (besides Christina and myself) on one hand. On the first Sunday of each month they partake of the Lord's supper (communion). We've seen it once so far, and it really was a neat experience. Otherwise the services are all pretty much the same. At the beginning, the “worship leader” stands up front and reads scripture and prays, sometimes talking a bit as a sort of introduction or call to worship. Then the other singers (about 4) get up while the musicians start playing (acoustic, bass and electric guitars, keyboard and drums). The “worship leader” is then the lead singer as well. After 5-6 songs they usually have a quick, great-your-neighbor song. Then the speaker/pastor gets up and speaks. I have never actually timed this, but I think the sermon is somewhere near an hour long. Then the worship team plays a closing song and the service is over.
Like I said, it's quite simple. But I find its simplicity rather exhilarating. Sometimes there is an announcement or two that gets mentioned, but they usually seem to be related to their discipleship classes. Overall it seems that their communal time on Sunday morning is focused solely on worshiping God in song and in preaching His Word. Now, their attendance each week is probably 200-300 people, so that cuts down on the amount of personal involvement for each person. But they also encourage participation in discipleship groups. So that helps to leave Sunday morning for just corporate worship. I really don't know any of their theology or even their statement of faith, but I do know that I feel at home there. From the first day we were there, I just had this sense that they were all worshiping and serving the same God I do. It's a cool feeling to look around and get the sense that the God I serve is the same God these “strangers” are also serving. Now, I've always known this to be true (that God is worshiped all over the world), but it's still a neat thing to witness and experience first hand.
So far this is the only church we have been to. I would like to visit different churches at some point, but for some reason I just feel a pull towards CCF. It's like I feel like I'll miss something there if I attend another church for a Sunday. I think it's a bit strange to feel that way since I've only been here for six weeks, but that's just how strongly I feel at home there. I mean I know basically nobody there and don't talk to anyone there, but I know my God is there every Sunday, and so it just feels like “home”. And I don't exactly feel “comfortable” there, seeing as there are almost no white people there. But with each passing week, I feel a little more “invisible” and I find that rather freeing. I really feel like I can just worship God when I am there. I can forget everyone else and just focus on Him. And that is a great feeling.
As for religion in general here, Roman Catholicism is tops. I've seen a few local Catholic schools. But I have noticed quite a few protestant churches around. Yet it seems like Catholic views are more “official” or “standardized”. I've seen scripture on posters in odd locations, like on a footbridge over a major road and other prominent areas (including billboards and advertisements). I can't help but wonder how much of this is just from the head and how much is truly from the heart. And I'm really not sure which way it is. I haven't been here long enough yet and don't know enough people yet.
Here's a link to CCF. I think most information on there pertains to their main campus in Manila:
Here are two links to youtube videos of songs I've learned at CCF (CCF has different instrumentation, but the song is still the same, just sounds a bit different):
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