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Terminology

From Oregon Church Wiki


Church Hopping

“Church hopping” is a casual term describing the practice of visiting multiple churches rather than committing immediately to one. For newcomers to Christianity, or believers exploring a change, it can be a healthy and eye-opening way to experience the diversity of worship styles, teachings, and community life that exist within the body of Christ. Trying different churches helps people discover where they feel spiritually connected and how God may be leading them to grow and serve.

At the same time, many pastors caution that endless church hopping can prevent deep roots from forming. Faith matures best in consistent fellowship, accountability, and shared service. The ideal approach is balance: explore freely, but listen prayerfully for when it’s time to stay. Genuine curiosity is no sin; sometimes visiting many churches is the very path that leads to finding one’s spiritual home. Also called “church searching,” “church shopping,” “visiting churches,” “exploring congregations,” and “seeking a church home.”

Come As You Are, Perfect People Not Allowed

“Come As You Are” is a phrase now seen on countless modern church websites and welcome signs. Borrowed from popular culture—most famously from Nirvana’s lyrics—it has been re-imagined by many congregations to signal openness, authenticity, and acceptance. The phrase invites people to attend worship without fear of judgment over appearance, background, or spiritual maturity.

In practical terms, it reflects a broader cultural shift away from the tradition of formal Sunday dress. Where past generations viewed dressing in one’s best clothing as an act of reverence, today many churches emphasize comfort and sincerity over outward formality. Jeans, sneakers, baseball caps, and casual wear have become common symbols of belonging. For most churches using this phrase is not only about clothing, it’s about God’s Grace: the idea that people can approach God honestly, without pretense, and be accepted as they are.

Another similarly-themed phrase appearing on many church websites is “Perfect People Not Allowed.” It expresses a similar spirit of humility and belonging. It is an honest admission that church is not a showcase for the flawless, but a gathering of imperfect people seeking Grace. When combined, these slogans communicate a powerful message: that faith begins not with perfection or appearance, but with openness, honesty, and the courage to show up as we are before God.

Ecumenical or Ecumenicalism

Ecumenical generally means promoting unity and cooperation among different Christian denominations, emphasizing shared faith in Jesus Christ rather than focusing on doctrinal divisions. Churches that embrace ecumenism often do so to reflect Jesus’s prayer “that they may all be one,” believing cooperation strengthens witness, reduces hostility, and better serves communities through shared missions and outreach. They value fellowship, dialogue, and mutual respect across traditions. Churches that resist ecumenism often fear it leads to theological compromise or confusion about truth. They emphasize maintaining doctrinal purity, warning that unity without agreement on core beliefs could water down the gospel. For some, rejecting ecumenism preserves their identity and convictions about what they see as the authentic expression of Christianity.

Some Christians view ecumenism in eschatological terms, interpreting global religious cooperation as a possible sign of end-times deception—a step toward a “one world religion.” From this perspective, apparent harmony may conceal a drift from biblical truth. Even though there is a justified concern over a one world religion, the founders of this website believe that genuine Christian unity—rooted in shared faith and core biblical truth—carries far greater value than the fears that divide believers. Besides, the evil “one world religion” described in prophecy would be one that denies the unique saving power of Jesus Christ, and every church in this directory affirms that power without compromise. Therefore, ecumenical fellowship among these believers can be nothing but pleasing to God, and something all Christians should aspire toward.

Infallibility of Scripture

One of the most important distinctions among Christian denominations—and even between individual churches—is how they regard the authority of Scripture. Most “What We Believe” statements begin with this question, because every other doctrine ultimately flows from it. All Christians affirm that the sixty-six books of the Bible are divinely inspired—that the authors were guided by the Holy Spirit to record God’s message in the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Where Christians differ, however, is in how that divine inspiration applies to human interpretation over time.

Some believe that God intended every commandment to be followed literally and permanently, while others hold that certain instructions were bound to a specific time and culture, and that the enduring truth lies in the principles behind the words rather than the wording itself.

This becomes especially clear in the Old Testament, which includes commandments that reflect the judicial and moral systems of ancient tribal life—penalties for adultery or homosexuality, “eye for an eye” justice, and restrictive laws concerning women. Even Jesus acknowledged this context, saying that some commandments were given because of the “hardness of people’s hearts,” not because they represented God’s ultimate standard. That fact alone should rebuke anyone trying to apply every literal word of the Bible to the modern era. Still, that “fact” doesn’t change the pervasiveness of Total Bible Infallibility in church doctrine pages.

All Christians eventually face a decision: whether to follow the Bible literally and justify which parts they accept or reject, or to follow Jesus’s example of reconciling literal law with the higher morality of God’s kingdom written on the heart. That second path risks excessive permissiveness, yet the first often ignores spiritual growth. The editors of this directory offer no simple answer for potential Christians exploring Christianity. Instead, we encourage prayer, reflection, and exploration. Let God’s Spirit guide you to the church where His Will feels most alive and His Truth most clearly revealed.

Video Church

Video Church refers to a worship service where the sermon or entire gathering is shown on a large screen rather than being led live by a pastor in the room. This approach is most common in large, multi-service or multi-campus congregations, where one main service—often featuring a senior pastor—is recorded and replayed for later audiences or satellite locations.

Church leaders often justify this model as a modern, efficient way to maintain consistent teaching across multiple sites and service times. They argue that it mirrors the experience of watching online from home, only within the shared atmosphere of worship, music, and community found inside the church building. Supporters see it as part of a new digital era of ministry, where technology extends a single church’s message beyond the limits of time, distance, and physical space. Critics, however, sometimes feel it diminishes personal connection and pastoral presence.

OregonChurch.net has personal experience with this phenomenon—and we do not like it. When large churches reach this size, they usually have a sizeable staff of associate pastors as well. In our view, it offers a far better Christian experience to allow a junior pastor to lead a live service if the lead pastor is tired or unable to preach three or four times every weekend. That junior pastor is likely part of the sermon-writing team and may have even helped craft that week’s message. The lead pastor’s early service can still be recorded and posted online for anyone who wishes to watch later, but worship inside the church should feel alive not pre-recorded. If you find yourself in a congregation that insists on “video church,” it may be time to look for a more personal setting—one where fellowship, not production, defines the experience.

Welcoming Committee

The Welcoming Committee—sometimes called Hospitality Team or Greeters—is a group of church members or staff positioned near the entrance to identify and greet newcomers. Their goal is to make visitors feel noticed and comfortable while providing an introduction to the church’s programs and beliefs. Most churches encourage guests to fill out a Visitor’s Card, sharing basic contact information so the church can follow up later with a friendly message, invitation, or pastoral visit.

While most congregations respect a visitor’s privacy if they prefer to remain anonymous, some are more pushy and proactive, some even requiring online registration or advance notice of attendance. A few churches provide digital forms on their websites to collect details before a visit. Ideally, the spirit of a welcoming committee should reflect hospitality without pressure, helping guests feel seen but never obligated, and ensuring that a first impression of church is one of warmth and friendliness.

OregonChurch.net advice: If you feel uncomfortable with any perceived aggressiveness, just mark that church as not a good fit for you. The majority of churches are respectful of privacy and not aggressive.

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