Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

The Way Christian Church

"More than nine out of ten people go to counseling because they do not have a close meaningful relationship in church. Many people will go their entire life and struggle to find a good friend. It is hard to find people who get to know our ugly side and still accept us and love us," Pastor Art Murillo said in his sermon entitled, "The Blessing of Friendship."

Murillo's sermon continued a five-week series -- "Enjoying God's Blessings."

"The Bible has a lot to say about blessings," remarked Murillo. "We see God's blessing in creation, his priestly blessing, a blessing on the congregation, and the blessing of friendship."

Pastor Murillo's sermon examined Jonathan and David's relationship in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. The sermon offered suggestions such as: to be a friend requires a personal investment; a friend speaks well of their friend; a friend is willing to risk. Murillo encouraged his congregation to "learn the value of developing deep friendships. If you cannot trust a friend, you are flying solo. It will be a matter of time before you fail."

The Way Christian Church is located at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. A dozen illustrated sandwich boards guide visitors to find parking and the church building. The church meets in half of the cafeteria, split by a sliding partition wall. The older children meet in nearby classrooms, and the infants play in an adjoining room.

In the cafeteria/sanctuary, walls are beige, the carpets of utility quality, and the seating, interlocked steel-frame chairs. On the front stage, a Plexiglas pulpit was backed by a curtain that hid the wall behind. On stage were faux trees, speakers, and musical instruments.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Max greeted me as I entered the building. Max and several people serving as greeters wore shirts and ties. Most of the congregation wore jeans and casual attire. As I entered farther into the building, several congregants welcomed me to their church. One greeter, Brett Burner, filled out a nametag for me to wear. Prior to service, people socialized as a worship CD played on a nearby CD player. Several worshippers sat with their heads bowed, reading the Bible.

Service started with worship. Pastor Murillo led worship on keyboard, accompanied by drums, electric guitar, bass, and background vocals sung by two women. We sang "Your Love Is Amazing," "Better Is One Day," and "This Is My Desire." No lyrics were provided on paper to the songs. Instead, Pastor Murillo spoke the verse prior to singing it or repeated the verse several times. As I looked around the room, everyone seemed to know the lyrics already. The congregation clapped their hands, and some raised their hands as they sang. Max bent down on his knees, hands outstretched and his head bowed. After 45 minutes, Pastor Murillo ended the singing with a prayer.

Pastor Art Murillo leads worship and preaches each Sunday. "I like being in the music ministry. I am not just the shepherd in teaching the Bible but also lead worship." Murillo characterizes the worship as "lively, upbeat, and contemporary. We like to turn it up, get funky, and have fun."

Prior to starting The Way Christian Church, Murillo served for seven years as worship pastor at Mission Valley Christian Fellowship (MVCF). "I came aboard when MVCF was one-and-a-half years old. After I joined, we saw substantial growth in numbers." I asked Murillo why he left MVCF. "It wasn't my decision to leave. God put a thought in my mind and I waited until it was the right time."

After service, people gathered around coffee and donuts. The donuts cost 50 cents. I asked Brett Burner why he was attracted to this church. "Art can preach to the most seasoned Christian as well as the newcomer. The trend I've seen in San Diego is a watered-down message." Burner and his family followed Pastor Murillo from MVCF. Burner estimated that over 100 people from the congregation came from MVCF. "A lot of people come from MVCF to look and see what we are doing. Many stay at The Way but some end up returning to MVCF."

Murillo spoke to me about The Way's distinctiveness. "We have an emphasis on doing less church activity. I know for a fact, working with other ministries, there is a tremendous emphasis on people being at church seven days a week. This often adds up to being busier, and people become fatigued. Being busy is not necessarily healthy." Pastor Murillo said his desire was for the church to go out and live the Christian life rather than attend Bible studies each night. Murillo decided that small groups should meet once a month. "Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we announced this," said Murillo. "We want people to invite others over for dinner, to meet for coffee, and be the church during the week."

I asked Murillo the question I ask every week. What happens to someone after they die? "After we die, we all give an account for our lives. If we've received forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we enter into glory with our Lord. For those who have not believed in Jesus, they will go into judgment [Hell]."

Denomination: nondenominational

619-987-6200

Founded locally: July 2003

Senior pastor: Pastor Art Murillo

Congregation size: 250--300

Staff size: 1

Sunday school enrollment: 45

Annual budget: didn't have information

Weekly giving: didn't have information

Singles program: no

Dress: casual

Diversity: Hispanic, white

Sunday worship: 9:30 a.m.

Length of reviewed service: 2 hours

Website: thewaycc.com

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Tijuana sewage infects air in South Bay

By September, Imperial Beach’s beach closure broke 1000 consecutive days
Next Article

WAV College Church reminds kids that time is short

College is a formational time for decisions about belief

"More than nine out of ten people go to counseling because they do not have a close meaningful relationship in church. Many people will go their entire life and struggle to find a good friend. It is hard to find people who get to know our ugly side and still accept us and love us," Pastor Art Murillo said in his sermon entitled, "The Blessing of Friendship."

Murillo's sermon continued a five-week series -- "Enjoying God's Blessings."

"The Bible has a lot to say about blessings," remarked Murillo. "We see God's blessing in creation, his priestly blessing, a blessing on the congregation, and the blessing of friendship."

Pastor Murillo's sermon examined Jonathan and David's relationship in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. The sermon offered suggestions such as: to be a friend requires a personal investment; a friend speaks well of their friend; a friend is willing to risk. Murillo encouraged his congregation to "learn the value of developing deep friendships. If you cannot trust a friend, you are flying solo. It will be a matter of time before you fail."

The Way Christian Church is located at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. A dozen illustrated sandwich boards guide visitors to find parking and the church building. The church meets in half of the cafeteria, split by a sliding partition wall. The older children meet in nearby classrooms, and the infants play in an adjoining room.

In the cafeteria/sanctuary, walls are beige, the carpets of utility quality, and the seating, interlocked steel-frame chairs. On the front stage, a Plexiglas pulpit was backed by a curtain that hid the wall behind. On stage were faux trees, speakers, and musical instruments.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Max greeted me as I entered the building. Max and several people serving as greeters wore shirts and ties. Most of the congregation wore jeans and casual attire. As I entered farther into the building, several congregants welcomed me to their church. One greeter, Brett Burner, filled out a nametag for me to wear. Prior to service, people socialized as a worship CD played on a nearby CD player. Several worshippers sat with their heads bowed, reading the Bible.

Service started with worship. Pastor Murillo led worship on keyboard, accompanied by drums, electric guitar, bass, and background vocals sung by two women. We sang "Your Love Is Amazing," "Better Is One Day," and "This Is My Desire." No lyrics were provided on paper to the songs. Instead, Pastor Murillo spoke the verse prior to singing it or repeated the verse several times. As I looked around the room, everyone seemed to know the lyrics already. The congregation clapped their hands, and some raised their hands as they sang. Max bent down on his knees, hands outstretched and his head bowed. After 45 minutes, Pastor Murillo ended the singing with a prayer.

Pastor Art Murillo leads worship and preaches each Sunday. "I like being in the music ministry. I am not just the shepherd in teaching the Bible but also lead worship." Murillo characterizes the worship as "lively, upbeat, and contemporary. We like to turn it up, get funky, and have fun."

Prior to starting The Way Christian Church, Murillo served for seven years as worship pastor at Mission Valley Christian Fellowship (MVCF). "I came aboard when MVCF was one-and-a-half years old. After I joined, we saw substantial growth in numbers." I asked Murillo why he left MVCF. "It wasn't my decision to leave. God put a thought in my mind and I waited until it was the right time."

After service, people gathered around coffee and donuts. The donuts cost 50 cents. I asked Brett Burner why he was attracted to this church. "Art can preach to the most seasoned Christian as well as the newcomer. The trend I've seen in San Diego is a watered-down message." Burner and his family followed Pastor Murillo from MVCF. Burner estimated that over 100 people from the congregation came from MVCF. "A lot of people come from MVCF to look and see what we are doing. Many stay at The Way but some end up returning to MVCF."

Murillo spoke to me about The Way's distinctiveness. "We have an emphasis on doing less church activity. I know for a fact, working with other ministries, there is a tremendous emphasis on people being at church seven days a week. This often adds up to being busier, and people become fatigued. Being busy is not necessarily healthy." Pastor Murillo said his desire was for the church to go out and live the Christian life rather than attend Bible studies each night. Murillo decided that small groups should meet once a month. "Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we announced this," said Murillo. "We want people to invite others over for dinner, to meet for coffee, and be the church during the week."

I asked Murillo the question I ask every week. What happens to someone after they die? "After we die, we all give an account for our lives. If we've received forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we enter into glory with our Lord. For those who have not believed in Jesus, they will go into judgment [Hell]."

Denomination: nondenominational

619-987-6200

Founded locally: July 2003

Senior pastor: Pastor Art Murillo

Congregation size: 250--300

Staff size: 1

Sunday school enrollment: 45

Annual budget: didn't have information

Weekly giving: didn't have information

Singles program: no

Dress: casual

Diversity: Hispanic, white

Sunday worship: 9:30 a.m.

Length of reviewed service: 2 hours

Website: thewaycc.com

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Jayson Napolitano’s Scarlet Moon releases third Halloween album

Latest effort has the most local vibe
Next Article

Jazz guitarist Alex Ciavarelli pays tribute to pianist Oscar Peterson

“I had to extract the elements that spoke to me and realize them on my instrument”
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader