What to Expect

Welcome!

We hope that you will be our guest this Sunday at Singing Oaks.  Within this page you get a sense of what you can expect when you come for a visit. We are always praying for new people like you who are interested in traveling through life together with Christ.

The people at Singing Oaks are doing our best to follow Jesus.  We believe God created you and that God’s son Jesus saves you in love. We are a non-denominational fellowship of people who follow Jesus, listen to the guidance of the Bible and actively serve God in the world.  We are not perfect, but we are authentic in our belief that God is at work in our city, through our church and in your life.  We are a group of people you can grow with through the struggles and celebrations of life. 

Now on to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

1. Where should I go when I arrive?

• Parking - As our guest, please feel free to park in one of our guest parking spaces which are located just outside the drive-thrus on each side of the Worship Center.
• Welcome - At each entrance we have people who serve as greeters that will meet and greet you and help you with any question or special need you have.
• Family News Bulletin - Each week, a worship bulletin is prepared and distributed at the welcome tables as you enter the building.  On the front of the bulletin is description of the worship order so that you will know the sequence of worship.
• Name Tags - Each week we ask our members and guests to wear name tags  Pick up a name tag at the welcome table as you enter the foyer outside the Welcome Center.  This helps us to get to know guests and other members we have not met.  Guests wear a blue name tag and members wear a red name tag.
• Worship Center - If you are arriving for one of our worship services, feel free to enter the Worship Center, which is located on the southeast corner of the building, and take a seat anywhere you would like to sit.
• Bible Classes - If you are arriving for our Bible Class hour, feel free to attend any class that you like.  Classes are available for all ages, including children (infant through elementary), youth (junior high and high school), college, and adults.  An adult class schedule is available near the welcome tables or one of the greeters can assist you in locating a classroom.  Our classes are geared to help us learn God's will and discuss the practical matters of what scripture is calling us to do.

2. What is a worship service at Singing Oaks like?

• Location - We have multiple Sunday morning worship services that are held in the Worship Center.  Feel free to sit wherever you would like.
• Music - The music is arranged and directed by our worship minister with the help of worship singers who aid the congregation with the four-part harmony.  Our music is done a cappela (or without instruments).  We believe you will be amazed and inspired by the blending of voices in worship and praise to God.  The words of the songs will be projected on the screens at the front of the Worship Center.  The music can also be found in the songbooks.
• Preaching - In worship, the sermon message will speak of God's activity today.  Our preaching minister will bring the Word of God to life in relevant teaching for our lives today.  You can expect to learn the stories of faith and be challenged to engage our contemporary world for God.  
• Prayer -  The congregation participates in thoughtful, public prayers to God through the name of Jesus Christ.  One of our shepherds (elders) will lead the congregation in a pastoral prayer addressing special needs within the church.
• Scripture  - Our worship time often includes public reading of a portion of the Bible as a means of encouraging the believers and listening to God.  The passages read bring together a common theme that is central to the worship plan for that day.  God's word is living and active and capable of impacting our lives today.
• Lord's Supper (Communion) - Each Sunday we celebrate the death and life of Jesus at the table.  By eating bread and drinking wine in this community meal, we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This will be passed to you in trays with unleavened crackers and small cups with grape juice. The bread and grape juice that are served symbolize to us the body and blood of Jesus' sacrifice.
• Offering - Each week we also give our members the opportunity to return to God a gift of thanks for what He has done for us.  These gifts are used to support the work of the Singing Oaks church in providing physically and spiritually for those who are in need.  As our guest, we do not expect you to give unless you also want to give thanks to God.
• Invitation - Each week following the sermon an invitation is extended to anyone who has a need.  Your response may include private prayer with an elder or minister, standing at the front or back of the Worship Center.  The response may be a request for public prayer or to confess faith and put Jesus on through baptism.  A desire to become a member at Singing Oaks can also be made known at this time.
• Children's Offering - Once a month (on the fourth Sunday), the children who attend the Children's Worship will make an offering to the congregation after the sermon.

3. What will be expected of me when I attend?

• We invite you to participate in whatever capacity you feel comfortable.  If you would like to simply observe the service, that is absolutely acceptable.  If, on the other hand, you feel comfortable joining us in singing, prayer, eating the Lord's supper meal that is served, or responding to the invitation, we encourage you to do that.  At times during the service, we may stand for a song, prayer or scripture.  Feel free to do what you feel comfortable doing.
• While we encourage our members to participate in the offering, we do not expect our guests to make a gift.  If you do have a gift that you would like to make, you are welcome to do so.

4. What kind of people are at SOCC?

• Singing Oaks is comprised of a wide variety of people who come from different walks of life.  We celebrate our diversity and the way that God uses our differences to complete each other. 
• We are a group of imperfect people.  We each have our own weaknesses and struggles.  If you are looking for the perfect church, Singing Oaks is probably not for you.  But, if you are looking for a place to join on a journey of becoming like Jesus, you have found the right place.
• We believe that unity is something very important to God, and we make every effort to remain united with each other. 
• No two people will believe exactly the same thing on every issue and we promote the freedom that God has given us to come to know Him and understand His will, while at the same time not abusing our freedom as a means to hurt or cause others to stumble.
• You probably won't find anyone at Singing Oaks who is exactly like you, but you will find a group of people on a journey together working towards a common goal of becoming like Jesus and bringing others to Him, who are interested in a relationship with you.

5. Is childcare provided?

• Nursery - During each Sunday morning service, a staffed nursery is available for children 0-2 years.    You are also free to stay with your child in the nursery if the need arises and/or use the diaper changing facilities there.  The nursery is located behind the Worship Center in the hallway  to the right of the children's library.
• Children's Worship - During the 1st and 2nd Sunday morning services, children's worship is available for children between the ages of 3 and 5.  This time includes a worship time and lesson geared to that age group.  Children's Worship takes place in Room 115 which is behind the Worship Center in the hallway  to the right of the children's library.
• "Safe Place" Training - Our nursery and children's worship teams have all gone through our "Safe Place" training which includes safety procedures and a personal background check.

6. What should I do if I need someone to counsel/pray with me?

• During each worship service, an invitation is extended to anyone who would like to meet with either an elder or minister for prayer. 
• You may also approach an elder or minister before or after the worship service to discuss a special need or arrange a time to counsel with them.

7. What other times do people at Singing Oaks meet?

• Our regular meeting times are Sunday morning (worship and Bible classes), Sunday evening (home groups), and Wednesday evening (classes, support groups, service groups, etc.)  Please click here for a more complete description of our service schedules.

8. What are home groups and how can I participate?

• What is a Home Group? - Home groups are comprised of a small group of people (10-12 although some are larger/smaller) who meet together regularly in and around Denton to build relationships with each other.  The group formats vary depending on the group leaders, but most include one of more of the following: prayer, Bible study, fellowship, food, accountability, and sharing lives.
• Getting Involved - If you would like to join a home group, contact the church office at 940.387.4355.  Feel free to contact a leader directly about joining their group, but understand that some groups may already be closed due to size or other limitations.
• When are groups reorganized? - Each year in August, groups from the prior year end and new groups are formed.  Some groups do remain intact from year to year, but most groups have a fresh start in September.
• Can I be a leader? - Sure!  We are always looking for new group leaders and would love to have you become a leader.  Contact the church office at 940.387.4355 for more information on becoming a leader.

9. I like what I see at Singing Oaks.  How do I become a member?

• Join the Journey - Attend a "Join the Journey" session.  These are held every 1-2 months.  During this session you will be given a packet of information about Singing Oaks and learn about our church and its mission.  You will also be given the opportunity to ask questions about any aspect of Singing Oaks.  The session also includes a meal.
• Make a Commitment - When you become a member, we ask you to make a commitment to God, to yourself, and to the other members at Singing Oaks to become everything that God has planned for you and a commitment to bringing people to Jesus.  We will in turn commit to walk side-by-side with you on this journey to become like and to bring people to Jesus.
• Confess Jesus as Lord and Be Baptized - Singing Oaks practices believer's immersion (baptism) for the remission of sins.  God alone brought salvation to people through Jesus.  In baptism, we are connected with the burial and resurrection of Jesus (Titus 3:4-7; Romans 6:3-4) and show outwardly the cleansing change that is God is making within us (1 Peter 3:21).
• Use Your Gifts - Make a commitment to at least one ministry at Singing Oaks where you can use your God-given gifts to serve God, the believers at Singing Oaks, and our neighbors here in Denton.  If you need help in determining where you might fit best, get with Steven Carrizal (940.387.4355) who has some tools for helping people find their place.  Becoming like Jesus means becoming a servant.  If your commitment to Singing Oaks amounts to nothing more than attending a weekly worship service, you will find it hard to become all that God wants for you to be.
• Attend Bible Class and Worship Regularly - Decide immediately that you will make a habit of attending worship services and Bible class.  Regularly attending gives others the opportunity to meet you and you the opportunity to know them.  Building friendships takes time and some risks, so make the decision to be consistent in your attendance and to go beyond your comfort zone a little in an effort to get to know others.
• Join a Home Group - Living a life for Jesus in isolation is next to impossible and that's why we think it's important for new members at Singing Oaks to make a commitment to a home group.  You will build friendships with people who will love you and encourage you on your walk.  Our experience shows us that those who don't make a commitment to a home group never really build the solid friendships to continue their walk.
• Don't Give Up - Building relationships and finding your place at Singing Oaks won't happen overnight.  Make a commitment to do everything you can and pray that God will do what you can't to help you become a thriving part of the Singing Oaks body.  We need you and don't want to lose you and everything you will bring to our family!