Top Ten Questions People Have
About Discovery Church
We know what it's like to try anything for the first time - the anxiety, the questions, the curiosity. So we've come up with the top ten questions people have before visiting a church. How did we come up with this list? We all started off as first-time guests, too!
(click on the question to get an answer)
1. What kind of church is this?
3. How long will the service last?
4. What will the service be like?
6. What about my kids - do they come in with me, or is there something going on for them?
7. Is this a Christian church, or something else?
8. What are the service times, and which service should I attend?
10. Can I find out what this weekend's message is going to be about?
1. What kind of church is this?
Discovery Church started off in Voorhees, NJ in 2003 as a dream to reach out to the population of the Delaware
Valley through an innovative approach involving the use of contemporary music, drama,
multi-media and practical messages. The Washington
Township campus opened in 2005.
Discovery Church is interdenominational and we adhere to a unique philosophy of balanced
ministry offering weekend services, midweek
bible studies and worship as well as home fellowships and growth groups.
Discovery
In our weekend services, drama, multi-media, up-beat music and relevant teaching are used to present the timeless truths of Scripture in ways that make sense even if you've never been in church before.
The once a month, Saturday service (New Community) is designed for those who wish to further develop their relationship with Christ through extended praise and worship, communion, and in-depth Biblical teaching.
Finally, an extensive network of small groups, meeting in homes and offices throughout the community, foster relationships and spiritual growth.
2. What should I wear?
The relaxed dress code of Discovery is different than most churches. On any given day you'll
see us wearing everything from golf shirts to pants suits, sport coats to jeans and even
shorts in the summer. Believe it or not, some people wear suits. Basically, you should wear what you're comfortable
in. As long as you cover the important parts and the outfit isn't tight enough to qualify as a
second skin- you're appropriate! So feel free to wear a tie
or leave the
tie at home - it's your choice!
Just so you know...our staff wears "office casual" for the Sunday and Wednesday services. In the office, you'll see us wearing everything from golf shirts to pants suits, sport coats to jeans and even shorts in the summer (although we have to be honest - some of our pastors really shouldn't wear shorts...the whiteness of their legs is blinding!!!)
3. How long will the service last?
The weekend services at Discovery start at 10am and typically last an hour and fifteen minutes.
4. What will the service be like?
Our weekend services are designed so that anyone can enjoy them, with performing arts and messages that provide answers to help you live life in the 21st century. The first thing you see when entering the All Purpose Room at the Voorhees Middle School is a sign with the church motto, “It’s a sin for church to be boring!” and it’s easy to see this church is anything but boring.
Upbeat
music is playing over a sound system and a friendly greeter welcomes
you and offers you a cup of coffee and a donut.
When the service starts, you'll see that drama, multi-media, up-beat music and relevant teaching are used to present the timeless truths of Scripture in ways that make sense even if you've never been in church before. Attend one of our Sunday services and you'll hear messages with titles like:
Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People
Is God Political?
You Can Forgive Your Spouse, Family, Parents
Removing Anxiety & Worry From Your Life
Does Suicide Eliminate You From Heaven?
Hey! God Cares About You!
If God Forgives, Why Don’t I Feel Forgiven?
Christianity - It's Real & Relational
What Would God Say To A Terrorist?
The Bible – What About The Contradictions?
How To Have The Wisdom Of Solomon
What Happens When You Die?
Sex – When, Why and Why Not?
Why The Church Is Full Of Hypocrites
The bottom line? You will walk out saying two things: "I learned something today" and "I can't believe that's church and I can't wait to go back!"
5. Will I have to say anything, sign
anything, give anything, or be singled out in any way?
Don't you hate it when they ask visitors to raise their hands or wear one of those name-tags? That will never happen
here! At Discovery, you can rest assured you will never be put on the spot, never singled-out, and never
embarrassed. Here's something new - if you are a guest, you will be encouraged to not feel obligated to
participate in the offering! Our hope is that you will let the service be our gift to you!
You don't
have to sign anything, or register your attendance in any way (unless you want
to get on our mailing list or if you place a child in our
children's ministry - for security reasons, we have to get some basic
information from parents).
6. What about my kids - do they come in with
me, or is there something going on for them?
Our children's ministry provides an exciting, quality experience for your
birth through fifth grade child
simultaneously with each and every service. This allows you to maximize your experience at Discovery
while your child is receiving high-levels of care and attention.
We have programs for children birth-fifth grade that run simultaneously with each service.
For more information on Discovery's growing ministry to children and the ages we currently have programs for, click here.
7. Is this a Christian church, or something
else?
Though non-traditional in style, Discovery is deeply committed to the eternal truths of the
Christian faith. Our vision is simple: to become a biblically functioning community of believers so
that Christ's redemptive purposes can be accomplished in this world. Our mission is equally clear:
to work together to turn irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
What truly defines a church is not simply its doctrine, however, but its values. Discovery's values are simple, but like any set of values, they shape who we are. Below are Discovery's ten core values, and some of the passages from the Bible that support their roles values:
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We believe that the Bible is true and that its teaching is the catalyst for life-change in individual's lives and in the church (Romans 12:7; II Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12; Acts 2:42; 20:32). |
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We believe that lost people matter to God, and therefore they ought to matter to the church (Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Matthew 18:14). |
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We believe that the church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure (I Corinthians 9:19-23). |
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We believe that followers of Christ should manifest authenticity and strive for continuous spiritual growth (Matthew 26:38ff; Ephesians 4:25-26 & 32; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 12:1; I Corinthians 3:1-3). |
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We believe that the church should operate as a unified community of servants with men and women stewarding their spiritual gifts (Romans 12; Ephesians 4; John 13; Philippians 2; I Corinthians 12 & 14). |
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We believe that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life (I Corinthians 13; Nehemiah 3; Luke 10:1; John 12:34-35). |
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We believe that life-change happens best through relationships (Luke 6:12-13; Acts 2:44-47). |
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We believe that excellence honors God and inspires people (Colossians 3:17; Malachi 1:6-14; Proverbs 27:17). |
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We believe that churches should be led by men and women with leadership gifts, and structured according to the nature and mission of the church (Nehemiah 1 & 2; Romans 12:8; I Timothy 3; I Peter 5; Ephesians 4; Acts 6:2-5). |
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We believe that the pursuit of full devotion to Christ and His cause is normal for every Believer (I Kings 11:4; Philippians 2:1-11; II Corinthians 8:7). |
8. What are the service times, and which
service should I attend?
For now (we expect growth!), there is one weekend service at each
Discovery Church location. Voorhees meets every Sunday at 10:00a.m.,
Washington Twp. meets every Sunday at 10:00 a.m Our ministry to children
birth-fifth grade, runs simultaneously with each
service.
Plus, small groups meet in homes and offices at various times. Simply pick the day/time that is most convenient for your schedule.
If you are just beginning your exploration of Discovery,
we strongly suggest you begin with our weekend service.
9. Where are you? How do I get there?
Sunday:
VOORHEES: We meet in the All-Purpose Room at Voorhees Middle School, Evesham Rd (across from the Short Hills Shopping Center)
WASHINGTON TWP: We meet in the United Artists Theater (across from Home Depot, near Walmart)
WOOLWICH / MULLICA HILL: We meet in the Kingsway Middle School (NOT the High School)
click here for directions to any of our services or activities
10. Can I find out what
the next service's message is going to be about?
You bet - just click here!