Next Level Church in Fort Myers, FL was featured in Outreach Magazine as one of the top ten fastest growing churches in America (for more on the article that sparked my curiosity, read this post). Since this was the only congregation within a reasonable driving distance to make the list, it was an easy decision to visit. This past Saturday, accompanied by a seminarian, I attended the 4:30 p.m. service: the first of five identical weekend services (Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. + Sunday at 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.). As a first time visitor seeking to learn as much as possible, I noted a number of things that may not be as apparent to those who are regular attendees. To give my readers a better sense of my experience, I will elaborate on three strengths, three growing edges, and three observations worth noting based on this experience.
STRENGTHS
- Facility
- Curb Appeal. The campus looks postcard perfect. The roadside sign is easily readable when driving and includes the congregation’s website.
- Outside. The parking lot is clean and easy to navigate. It features paved driving areas with clearly defined parking spots on grass (common in Southwest Florida).
- Inside. The commons area just inside the main entrance provides a casual environment to enjoy conversation with or without the complimentary cookies and coffee. The auditorium (their term for the worship space) featured comfortable seats in neat rows facing a large stage lit by an incredible variety of lighting adorned with three large screens (a fourth even larger screen was lowered during the teaching time).
- Accessible Worship
- The “bulletin” was a colorful brochure with one panel for “message notes,” a perforated panel for guests to complete, and basic information about the church including staff. Interestingly, this small guide included not one or two, but rather three QR codes: (1) front cover – links to the church’s website home page and (2) register – links to a discover events page, and (3) online giving – links to an online giving page.
- The screens displayed the lyrics to all songs that were intended to be sung by the congregation. Worship leaders provided instruction about the various components of the service and even advised participants when it was appropriate to be seated.
- Apart from some of the song lyrics, everything said or sung was in plain English and not “church speak”.
- Technology
- Website. The what to expect page is especially helpful for prospective visitors. In addition to the common FAQ section and a few pictures of key areas on campus, it includes a video of the Lead Pastor walking through and explaining the campus and worship experience. Overall, the site is easy to navigate, consistent with the congregation’s culture, and provides considerable information.
- Video. The service utilized a vast array of technology, but video was featured most prominently. In addition to using the three smaller screens to display song lyrics, they also presented video feeds of those leading worship. Although the Lead Pastor was present, he pre-recorded his message and played it as a video during that time in the service. Baptisms occurred outside, but those in the auditorium were full participants thanks to a “pool cam” and a pastor who interviewed several of the sixteen men, women and children who were baptized.
GROWING EDGES
- Friendliness
- Those One Expects to be Friendly. As a visitor, I expect those who are greeters, the pastor and others “on duty” to be friendly. In this case, they did an adequate job. None of these folks, however, went beyond the minimum or sought to truly engage me – even at the visitor’s/information desk.
- All Others. We found our seats about fifteen minutes before the service, but were never greeted by anyone. The first people to speak to us during the service were those seated nearby during a time at which everyone present was encouraged to say hello to several people. The only person to speak to us who was not doing so in an official capacity was someone I already knew who greeted us simply to say hello.
Children and Youth. This congregation clearly includes a lot of children and youth, yet this part of congregational life was not emphasized. Children fifth grade or younger spent the entire time in a children’s area while middle and high school students were in their own space; neither group was present in the auditorium.- Diversity in Leadership. The pastoral staff is comprised of seven white men. The musical team that led worship was comprised of seven men and one woman (based on her last name and age, presumably the wife of the next generation pastor) with no persons of color. These leadership groups differ dramatically from the congregation, which featured a balance of men and women (more women then men, but not by a wide margin) and a number of minorities.
Worth Noting
While ninety minutes on a church campus offers only a limited opportunity for observation, it is the reality for most first time visitors. On this Saturday, I was especially aware of the following:
- Baptism. The order of worship was adjusted to emphasize baptism. It is unclear how often baptism is celebrated, but clear that it is a priority. Sixteen people were baptized, which would project to 80 over the weekend if equal numbers occurred at all services. The pre-recorded video sermon was a teaching about the importance of baptism. It was supplemented by the Lead Pastor offering additional encouragement to those present to consider being baptized during the service (whether or not they had pre-registered). The Lead Pastor also related his own experience of being baptized as an infant then later being baptized again (the second time by immersion) as believer as a teenager. The message I heard was clear and unsettling: only certain forms of baptism are truly effective.
- Christianity = Success & Happiness. The overly energetic and clearly rehearsed positive words given by a few pastors during
the service along with the interviews with select candidates for baptism via the “pool cam” presented a view that, taken in isolation, appeared to suggest that by giving one’s life to the person and cause of Jesus one would experience greater success in life. Happiness was both expected and modeled. - Visitor Recognition. First, second and third time visitors were encouraged to complete the registration form in the bulletin and take it to a prominently featured visitor’s/information area in the commons after worship to receive a gift. We were informed that the gifts culminate in a Starbucks giftcard. As a first time guest, my gift was a pack of gum with “next level CHURCH” on one side and “taking your breath to the next level” on the other.
