I Was a Stranger: Reflections From First-Time Visits to 50 Churches

Did I visit your church?

Fifty churches, over twenty-five denominations, spanning sixteen months with one main question in mind: "I was a stranger; did you welcome me?" Based on Matthew 25, a clergywoman set out to discover what it's like to experience various worship styles and practices. Included are visits to Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, independent, Jehovah Witness, Latter Day Saints, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Quakers and many more. What she found will surprise, delight and challenge the reader.

With chapters titled: "Uncle Joe's kissing has to stop," "Active shooter drill," and "A late star and a terrible finish," you'll get the unvarnished experience in each setting. During the primary election season and through the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, this book highlights her experience in each church. These anecdotal visits will appeal to church and non-church goers alike. Faith seekers, agnostics, unbelievers and devout believers will learn about the basic faith practices of other Christian denominations. Those in church leadership, and those who plan or participate in worship, will learn what works, and what doesn’t, with first-time visitors.

Susan I. Spieth was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1996, after earning a Master of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary. She served six churches over almost twenty years before retiring to pursue her writing interests. Prior to that, she served in the US Army as a missile maintenance officer and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. She and her husband have two adult children and live in Nashville, Tennessee. More information can be found at www.SusanISpieth.com