Review of the Word - Non-Denominational Church in Williamstown, New Jersey

Going to church use to be a chore. I never learned much and never felt connected to God. Going to The Word, a non-denominational church in Williamstown, NJ, has changed all that. Pastor Buz, a long-time pastor at Gloucester County Community church in Turnersville, NJ, branched over four years ago to form his own church. Being new, the church body didn't start with a building and still doesn't have one, although land has been purchased in Franklinville, NJ, and plans are in the works to start building soon.

In the meantime, we have a close knit church community committed to God. You see, having a building does not make a church. It's the body of believers in the congregation. With only a few people attending in the very beginning, Pastor Buz with the help of God, has brought almost 400 people through the doors of The Word every Sunday. Currently with only one service on Sundays at 10:00, the auditorium where we meet is pretty well packed.

It's no wonder that the word in getting out about The Word church in the local community. There is much to offer. The beginning of the service starts with about a half-an-hour of awesome worship. Although there is a core group of people who plan in the band on a regular basis, the worship team often changes from week to week with "guest" performers and the blessing of our enormous choir. It's a wonderful time to belt out modern day Christian songs, pray, and connect with God.

Children remain in the service during praise and worship time and then are invited to Kidz Church where they are fed the Word of God in their own language - in simplistic terms they can understand. Our caring staff of Sunday School teachers, made up of volunteering church members, teach them, guide them through projects, and engage them in spiritually related games. It's quite a kicking area of our church!

Then there is the Pastor's sermons. Dressed most of the time in Khaki pants and casual shirt, he's really approachable and inviting. He often starts the service just a little bit late, having lost track of the time. But he always offers concrete principles rooted in the Bible. And although he starts the service off with a good joke to reel the congregation in, his tone always turns serious when he shares the Word of God.

I love the fact that everything during the service doesn't have to be perfect. Mistakes happen with the sound system and Pastor Buz forgets the number of the next Bible verse and addresses it as "Bible verse number next." But Pastor Buz never gets upset with himself or reprimands other people for their errors. He is focused on what is important and having a perfect, seamless church service isn't what he is all about. He's there to feed us the Word of God, help grow our relationship with God, and to bring those who don't know the Lord to them.

And he's real and down to earth. Plus he can relate to his congregation because has a family, a house of his own, his own problems. Not all Church leaders can related to these things because many are forbidden to be married.

Before the service you can find Pastor Buz at our cafe that is set up by hard working congregation members every week. And what' better than that? We can actually bring the coffee and donuts in the service. Can't beat that and you won't find that at most churches! Not that I am saying this is a reason to come to The Word, but it certainly is a nice perk.

All the ministries that have blossomed are wonderful too and are a great way for congregation members to get to know each, strengthen each other, and is an opportunity to invite others who don't go to church, to come and not feel threatened. There is a full menu to choose from: The Women's Ministry, The Men's Ministry, Hearts & Hands Ministry which helps those in need within the church, the Outreach committee who goes to invited in the community to spread the word about The Word church, Ministry Groups that meet at congregation members houses - some are strictly social while others are centered around spiritual topics, and Midweek which is a Wednesday night Bible study. Plus there are groups for the teens, senior citizens, and singles.

Throughout the year many fun events take place too. At Easter time the Pastor opens up his house and several acres of property in the woods for a community Easter egg hunt. Last year over 500 kids came! There was the Easter egg hunt, plenty of food, games, those inflatable things the kids love to jump on at carnivals, and so much more. I can't wait to help out with this event this year.

And what would the fall season be without Pastor Buz's annual Square Dance. He actually calls in a professional caller to conduct the Square Dance portion of the evening, and we all have fun tripping over each other to the sound of country music! The rest of the evening is spent eating, spending time around the bon fire, praying, and enjoying the hay ride. It's quite an elaborate evening and is meant to strengthen the congregation and invite others interest in learning more about God and church to come out.

I'd highly recommend attend The Word church if you live in the Williamstown, NJ, area. You'll make strong connections with others and with God. As the church tag line says "The Word: A place to BElong." Amen!