Southlands Church International

Last Sunday night I attended Southlands Church International. I figured this church would be a great church to investigate for this class because of the focus they place on media. Last semester Southlands showed some Biola Student Films for a “Faith and Film” series. Here is one of the films they showed called “My Suburban Tea.”



They used this video to discuss how to get out of one's comfort zone. Southlands seems pretty hip on the media scene. Their website looks great and they keep an archive of their sermons. You can access them by clicking here.

When I visited last Sunday, I came with four friends from Biola, two of whom actually created "My Suburban Tea." As college students, we seemed to fit in with the other 250 members attending that night. The Sunday night crowd was primarily young--college age, young couples and young parents. I only saw two couples who looked like they were over 60. Everyone seemed to dress pretty hip too. People were not in their "Sunday best," but everyone seemed to have a sense of fashion. Ethnically, the crowd was primarily white, but several other ethnicities were represented. Southlands actually has translation into Spanish and Mandarin available for anyone in need of such services. The pastor and much of the church's staff come from South Africa.

The building they are meeting in used to be a manufacturing facility for prosthetics. Everything is being re-done, so the service was held in a large room with unpainted dry wall, uncovered pipes and utility lines, and a concrete floor. It was decorated with cool lamps and green and blue LED lights that shined on the unpainted walls. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming in a sincere way. Just walking in the church felt good. Southlands is a church I would bring a friend who is a non-believer in hopes of removing preconceived notions about church from their mind.

Worship was done skillfully. Drums, a key board, two guitars, a bass and two singers led the congregation in very driving songs that I am familiar with through leading worship in high school and college services. People raised their hands, hooted and hollered, and even danced a little. There was an open mic during worship for anyone who had a word to share during a musical break.

The sermon seemed kind of out of place. Right now Southlands is doing a series on Song of Solomon called "Wonderland Lovers." The sermon seemed like something that would have been shared at a conference for high school and college students. The bulk of the message was really about not pushing the physical limits with your significant other. During this series is probably not the best time to visit to get a sense of what Southlands is all about. The service lasted two hours total and ended with more worship and communion. I would like to go back and visit again.