Oxford Bible Church

January 18, 2009 11:00 am
Oxford Bible Church, 621 Oxford St. Winnipeg

My Grade 6 Graduation was held in this church, probably the only reason I know it exists. It's nestled in the heart of River Heights, a little building that has an apparently varied history that I've now forgotten.

The front door doesn't open into the sanctuary, unless I magically missed it; instead you have to climb a flight of stairs. Just sayin'. It's a smaller building, done up in a general wood-paneling kind of scheme. The lobby had about twenty people in it when I arrived. After standing around looking lost for about three minutes an elderly gentleman introduced himself and told me a joke about his last name. He introduced me to another man, probably in his thirties. After they headed off to sit down I was alone for about a minute before a woman approached me and started talking about how her family had joined the church a year ago, and that though it was a simple church it was a great blessing on their family. She introduced me to two younger men (twenties), who in turn introduced me to a man, his wife and their two young children. The man invited me to sit with his family.

The point of that block of text is this: though I suppose it's easier to spot a visitor in a smaller congregation, I don't think I've been to a church yet where such an overwhelming number of people have introduced themselves and made friendly conversation, without me actively getting anything going. There was no formal usher and no bulletin; it was a very casual, friendly atmosphere. I'd say there were about fifty, maybe sixty people attending the service.

Interesting note: they didn't take an offering. First time that's happened too.

The format of the service was interesting as well. Since there was no bulletin I have no idea who was leading the service, though according to the man next to me the speaker was a new grandfather. He welcomed us there, paying special attention to include visitors in his welcome. Then we proceeded to sing four hymns in quick succession, broken up by a prayer and a soloist who sang a beautiful hymn of her own. There seemed to be an organ up there but it wasn't used; the accompaniment was piano.

Then the children left and the speakers changed. Did I mention that for such a small church, the ratio of young vs. old was actually pretty impressive? Not a ton of children, but the bulk of the church was twenties-to-forties, young family types. Interesting.

Anyhow, for the sermon everyone in the place pulled out a bible (I guess I could've figured that one out... Bible Church...). The sermon was on Psalm 73, a short psalm about doubting and despairing in God after seeing the 'wicked and arrogant' prosper. On a second reading at home I actually found it extremely relevant, but the way that it was picked apart in the sermon line-by-line really made its message out to be a bit different than (I feel) it was . Sitting there I had a hard time figuring out exactly what was going on.

There was one more hymn that brought the service to an end. Afterwards I ended up in a lengthy discussion about various Biblical messages with a the man whom I was sitting beside, who really knew his Bible. We chatted about all kinds of things (though often I didn't know enough to really respond to his points. As an example of our conversation, he explained to me how the existence of the concept of evil fundamentally supports the existence of God. I must admit that that idea is still causing my brain some grief. Anyhow, he extended an invitation to meet up for coffee and chat more. I might take him up on it.

Friendly church. Simple church, but a friendly church. I would easily consider going back.

http://www.oxfordbiblechurch.net/introduction.htm