Is SouthBrook affiliated with a particular religious denomination?

SouthBrook is a non-denominational Christian church. We are loosely affiliated with the Willow Creek Association, a group of churches whose mission is to use culturally relevant messages to reach out to people who don’t profess any faith.

If I show up on the weekend, is anything embarrassing going to happen? Like, is someone going to make me stand up and introduce myself?

Oh, we could think of a few things that would be a lot more embarrassing than that. (Kidding….)

Seriously, no one will ask you introduce yourself. We make a point of letting visitors know they shouldn't feel any pressure to give any financial offering. We put the words to songs on the big screens so you can easily join in (or just observe if you’d prefer). Traditions like communion are optional and left to the end of the service as people are leaving so you won’t feel conspicuous if you choose not to participate.

When you’re ready to get a bit more involved, you’re welcome to stop in at Guest Central – located in our lobby – before or after any of the services. The pastors and volunteers we call “connectors” are available to just say “hi”, help you get connected with others and answer any questions you might have.

Are you going to ask for money if I visit?

During our services we do take an offering. You’ll also hear us say that if you’re visiting, there’s no pressure to participate. The offering is something we want you to participate in only if your heart is in it.

You’ve probably heard Jesus’ quote, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The offering is a time for people who are on board with SouthBrook’s mission to demonstrate their faith in the work that God is doing here by putting their money where their hearts are. (As an aside, SouthBrook is 100 percent supported by monies people give as part of their regular offering.)

Is there a dress code?

No dress code. Come comfortable.

What’s available for my kids?

Harvestland is the weekend service for kids “just born” through fifth grade. Harvestland meets during our regular weekend services. Kids are assigned to rooms by age (see below) and enjoy a fun, high-energy service with age appropriate messages and activities.

When you arrive, stop by the Harvestland Welcome Counter. One of our Harvestland volunteers will be happy to get your child registered and show you to his or her room.

Early Childhood

Apples Birth – 1 year or walking Bananas 1 and 2 years Grapes 3 years Pineapples 4 years Kiwis 5 years (pre-kindergarten)

Elementary

Peaches Kindergarten Blueberries 1st grade JAM 2nd – 5th grade

Middle School Epic (grades 6-8) meets every Saturday from 6:30-8:15 p.m. at SouthBrook-Spring Valley for worship, teaching, hanging out and having a blast.

High School Epic (grades 9 – 12) meets every Sunday evening. We start at 6:30 p.m. with small group stuff, take a half hour break so the kids can pick up their friends, and then regroup at 8 p.m. at SouthBrook-Spring Valley for an Epic God experience.

How do you handle communion?

The night before He was crucified, Jesus broke bread and shared wine with His disciples. At that time, Jesus commanded His disciples to continue to observe communion as a remembrance of His death and as a time to celebrate our relationship with God and with others. (1 Corinthians 11:23)

While some churches limit communion to those who have been baptized or confirmed, SouthBrook believes that communion should be for those who truly trust Christ as Lord and Savior.

There is little in scripture that insists the Lord's Supper be celebrated in a certain way. The word communion comes from a word that means “common mean.” To that end, we encourage SouthBrook small groups to celebrate communion when they meet and have time to make it a meaningful act of worship.

As for our weekend services, we celebrate communion at the end of services to allow believers in Christ to come forward and share it together. This timing also makes it easy for those who have not yet accepted Christ as their Savior to leave without feeling uncomfortable about not participating in something they don’t understand or necessarily embrace.

What is SouthBrook’s position on baptism?

SouthBrook believes that salvation is found by grace and faith in Jesus Christ, not baptism alone. That said, SouthBrook also believes baptism, as an outward sign of belief in Christ and surrender to His lordship, is necessary for the assurance of salvation.

Jesus was baptized and called His disciples to believe in Him and be baptized as a demonstration of their belief.

SouthBrook celebrates Baptism Weekend quarterly, although individuals may arrange to be baptized at any time by calling the church office. During Baptism Weekend, people who are ready to publicly state their belief and faith in God’s grace come forward and are baptized by immersion. Prior to Baptism Weekend we offer a class called Baptism Orientation. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking for a laymen’s explanation why SouthBrook celebrates baptism the way we do.