God is our refuge and strength, Psalm 46
Sign in the underground station....would this be allowed in the USA or is it too exclusive?
Get your very own (German) new testament by calling....
Having travelled and worked in more countries than most and worshipped with congregations in those different countries, one thing we have learnt is that there are many church variations but only one universal Christian church. Wherever we have been, we have been led to various churches where we were welcomed, worshipped, enjoyed fellowship and found ways to serve. There is no reason to think that Berlin will be any different. The issue is how to find that one church that God would want us in, experience shows us that there is no single answer to finding that answer. God has led us to different churches in different ways, and sometimes it seems those ways take forever to become reality.
Our conversion, fittingly enough was at an 'ecumenical project' (C of E, Methodist) church but we have little reservation about crossing the great denominational divide that so many seem to struggle with. If we can agree with a church on salvation and theology basics then it seems good to us. Consequently, our spiritual path has taken us through Methodist, C of E, Messianic congregation, Brethen, Assembly of God, United Methodist Church as well as other denominations tried but just not where we should be although not on theological differences.
Before even being offered a job in Germany I had done a little research on English speaking churches in Berlin. I only came up with one and that was 'RESET BERLIN' pastored by Jim, an American trying to reach out to young adult Berliners through a coffee-shop kind of church.
Over several email exchanges, Jim offered some advice and encouragement and even an apartment that one of his congregation was moving from, although that proved to be in the north west of Berlin, not where I needed to be to get to work at RRD.
On our first Saturday in Germany, Denise and I headed into Berlin to at least find out where the church was so that on Sunday we would not spend time getting lost trying to find it. With a good street map and my sense of direction (haha) we had no trouble finding it.
We visited there for two Sundays and were made welcome enough but it was not something we felt we could settle into, and more importantly, contribute towards with regards to any sort of ministry we might get involved with, so we looked at other options.
Our conversion, fittingly enough was at an 'ecumenical project' (C of E, Methodist) church but we have little reservation about crossing the great denominational divide that so many seem to struggle with. If we can agree with a church on salvation and theology basics then it seems good to us. Consequently, our spiritual path has taken us through Methodist, C of E, Messianic congregation, Brethen, Assembly of God, United Methodist Church as well as other denominations tried but just not where we should be although not on theological differences.
Before even being offered a job in Germany I had done a little research on English speaking churches in Berlin. I only came up with one and that was 'RESET BERLIN' pastored by Jim, an American trying to reach out to young adult Berliners through a coffee-shop kind of church.
Over several email exchanges, Jim offered some advice and encouragement and even an apartment that one of his congregation was moving from, although that proved to be in the north west of Berlin, not where I needed to be to get to work at RRD.
On our first Saturday in Germany, Denise and I headed into Berlin to at least find out where the church was so that on Sunday we would not spend time getting lost trying to find it. With a good street map and my sense of direction (haha) we had no trouble finding it.
We visited there for two Sundays and were made welcome enough but it was not something we felt we could settle into, and more importantly, contribute towards with regards to any sort of ministry we might get involved with, so we looked at other options.
The outside and inside of Berlin International Church
Anonymous looking front door
behind the subway sign (not that Subway)
My manager at work is a Christian, though at an all German speaking church, but he put me in touch with other English speaking Christians at work who go to Berlin International Church (aka BIC, visit www.berlinchurch.org). BIC is not a 'conventional' church either although not of the coffee shop variety either. It meets on the 4th floor 
of an office building where it has the whole floor to itself, worship is contemporary, 90% English, and with another American pastor, Steve Mack with wife Karen. They are in Berlin as missionaries to Germany sponsored by their 'home' church of York Alliance Church in ....York, Pennsylvania.
We have joined a BIC homegroup, meeting on Thursday evenings. The group is often about 14 strong, a pretty big group although this group was at more than 20 until it recently divided into three different groups (but still ended up with 14!).
We do still struggle with where to worship here long term and what we should be doing, if anything, and have to trust that God will lead us where He will. Maybe it will be at BIC or maybe not, we will have to keep you posted, for now we'll go to BIC and see what transpires.
of an office building where it has the whole floor to itself, worship is contemporary, 90% English, and with another American pastor, Steve Mack with wife Karen. They are in Berlin as missionaries to Germany sponsored by their 'home' church of York Alliance Church in ....York, Pennsylvania.We have joined a BIC homegroup, meeting on Thursday evenings. The group is often about 14 strong, a pretty big group although this group was at more than 20 until it recently divided into three different groups (but still ended up with 14!).
We do still struggle with where to worship here long term and what we should be doing, if anything, and have to trust that God will lead us where He will. Maybe it will be at BIC or maybe not, we will have to keep you posted, for now we'll go to BIC and see what transpires.
1 comment:
R&D,
I really enjoyed this posting on churches...( I actually already left a note, but found out I couldn't without having an account).
We have always asked at new churches if they have an active Emmaus community. We did this at NTUMC by asking Martha Murray. This is not to say that the Emmaus Community is mandatory, but it does give us a tie to others already that helps to provide a common topic for conversation.
We are going to do this same thing again sometime this year, though we are not sure when. We look forward to the next chapter in our spiritual lives and where God is going to lead us.
I pray that God will continue to speak with you and you will hear him. May he bless you both so that you will be a blessing...
John
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