Solid Rock has a reputation with me. Before I came to Oregon, my friend Shelley has sent me the Sermon via mail. Then when Erin from Dave's church - Bridge of Life knew we were going to move to Oregon, she also said to us that a friend of hers love Solid Rock very much. So on the third weekend after we arrived Hillsboro, Shelley took us there. Well, she did not really take us, since she had a friend to visit her from California that weekend. So she told me the address and promise to meet me there. She repeated several times to tell me to arrive early and help her to get 5 seats as well. "Because if you don't go there early, you have to stand" she said. I had a hard time to imagine. However, it was true.
Solid Rock has 4 sermons on Sunday: 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm. It also has one on Saturday in Portland as well. The popular time are very full, such as 10 am and 12 pm. It has more than 5000 members. The church is located in a business office area, a little bit like the Gathering's office building, except it is at the end of the drive. One way in and one way out. The traffic is very very bad. The parking is hard to find. There are people there to direct traffic. People are everywhere.
When you got inside the door, you felt that you were at the entrance of a movie theater, except there were lots of food, juice, and coffee on some big tables. There are many big double doors to get into the hall. One feels like coming to a rock concert than anything else. We had a hard time to find seat; however, we did manage to sit with Shelley's family and her friends. When the music started, you really felt that you were in a rock music concert. It was so professional. Shelley said they have many bands come to sing because so many bands want to sing here. Here everything is packed. I don't think there are many empty seats. The kids were sent to the proper age group. Everything is so organized and everything is so pleasant, except there are so many people. We had to wait in line to get Justin and Darian back.
When I look at Solid Rock, I think about Ron. The music, the sound system, the surrounding, they all have the idea how Ron would like the Gathering to be. No one hands you a basket and there are Bibles all over the place for your connivance to take one and follow the sermon. I have to admit I am really impressed about Solid Rock. According to Shelley, within 4-5 years, Solid Rock has grown to this big church. It was intended for young people. They want the kids not leave Christianity after leave home and going to college. That is why the music is so strong and there are many young people program within the church. Shelley is very grateful to Solid Rock because she feels that her child has matured over the years coming to this church. Of course, the sermon so far is very good as well. We are on 1 Corinthians. The among of background matches my desire to learn the history behind of everything. The message is so clear and simple. I get to know so much about Paul.
So did I find a church I like? Yes, I did. Would I consider this is it? No, because I can't handle its size. Here, everything takes extra time. Of course, don't think about going to bathroom. We can't just get our kids because we have to wait in line. We can't get out the parking lot, because one way in and one way out. The second week when we went there, the traffic light were out. Boy, can you imagine the pain everyone was going through? Justin has decided after 2 visits, he does not like Solid Rock for one reason only, too many people. I don't know what to do yet. One thing for sure, I know I like the sermons a lot. Here is Solid Rock website: http://www.ajesuschurch.org/info/church-info/
Let me know what you think about the sermon. Next time: another big church in OR we visited last weekend.
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