Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it OK for other believers or non-believers, community groups, denominations, religions, pastors, etc., to visit Zion City?
A: Absolutely! Everybody is welcomed at Zion City.
Q: What size group of organized visitors is Zion City comfortable with?
A: Zion City is able to comfortably seat 400 people in our main worship area. Our Fellowship Hall serves as an overflow room for larger events and seats another 100 people.
Q: What are your services like? How do you worship?
A: Worship at Zion City can be "spirited". Worshipers usually "talk back" during service, are outwardly expressive, and may be overcome emotionally depending on their worship experience. This practice is normally seen when music is offered, and many times during the delivery of the message or preached word. Congregants may also sit still if they aren't aptly engaged or depending on the style of the speaker.
Q: What if I worship differently?
A: Zion City encourages you to worship freely as you are lead. We don't want you to worry or feel pressure to emulate or assimilate to your neighbor's worship style. We really do want you to have a good time though. We recognize and respect the fact that everyone is different and may not feel comfortable with such outward expressions and verbal intonations.
Q: Will I have to say or do anything?
A: During worship we ask that you enjoy yourself. We do ask that visitors, who feel comfortable, to please stand as we officially welcome you with a hug or handshake, and kind word. The ushers will give you a visitor’s card during this time, if you haven't received it from a greeter, and the City of Zion congregation and minstrels will sing our welcome song. We won't ask you to say anything. We do ask that you fill out the welcome card and place it in the Drop-box during our fellowship time.
Q: Tell me about the music – what if it's too loud for me?
A: Music and singing is passionate, upbeat and inspirational. Our goal is to create an atmosphere that is both audio-visually engaging and comfortable to the ears to the degree and hope that you will leave satisfied and pleased with your experience enough to return again and again…
Q: How long is your offertory and do I really need to walk around and touch the plate?
A: Our giving is freely administrated using a Dropbox. We call it the Designated Dropbox Giving System (DDBGS). Though most give during the welcome and fellowship time, we encourage members and visitors to give anytime they wish by dropping off their gifts in one of our designated area giving boxes. That way people can enjoy the service better as it is administered more seamlessly.
Q: How long is service and what time does service end?
A: Our weekend single primary traditional service runs 2 hours and ends at 2 pm, but you'll have to force yourself to leave due to the pace and energy of service. FRUITS Weekly services are generally 1 hour. Please click our SERVICE link for details about other services.
Q: How large is your membership base?
A: Zion City averages about 100 to 150 adherents for any given Sunday except for Big Sundays (i.e., Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day).
Q: What are Big Sundays?
A: Big Sundays are those special Sundays when the majority of our membership base is in attendance including friends, relatives, associates, neighbors, and visitors. Our current records include a membership base in excess of 300 members.
Q: Are there Sunday's ahead that would be especially good for visitors to come and check out your services?
A: Every Sunday is an event! Please click our SERVICE link or check out our EVENTS page.
Q: What are the demographics of your ministry?
A: Zion City is an Apostolic International Kingdom Ministry. Meaning: we approach the Word of God with grace, fear, love, humility, and with great sincerity in matters of teaching, preaching, delivery, and proper application believing that nothing God said and says is dismissible (Apostolic); to all nations, races, and ethnicities (International); in a manner that reaches beyond traditional church, building and religious walls (Kingdom).
Our membership base spans families from economically challenged and disadvantaged homes to middle class working families. Homes include single men and women, single parents, couples with and without children, youth and young adults, and seniors. Our adherent base is predominately African American and includes Caucasian, Latino, and Native members as well. Everyone is welcomed!
Q: What do you believe?
Answer: Read about our beliefs here.
Q: Is Zion City part of a denomination?
A: We are currently pursuing membership in the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA).
Q: I am a member of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer) community. Am I welcome?
A: Absolutely yes! St. Matthew 7 says, "Judge not, that you be judged". This statement doesn't and shouldn't apply to church folks alone. Everyone is welcomed at Zion City and no one should think any differently about themselves or anybody else when seeking a Godly place of worship.
Zion City teaches, preaches, and practices Biblical sound doctrine ministered in and with love for every human being period! We will not try to change you, nor will we point you out or purposely pick on you over the pulpit. Besides, we couldn't change you even if we wanted to. We are grateful living witnesses that only the power of a Transcendent Source can restore, regulate, and mend the souls, minds, and hearts of men, women, boys and girls who seek and desire Him. We are all in need of our Savior's love, mercy, goodness, and grace!
To learn more about our spiritual philosophy, principles, and convictions on various social, political, moral, and religious issues, contact our Ministry Leaders Staff about G.I.N.A. Apologetics and Analytics Ministry (God Is NOT Afraid).
If we didn't address your question or answer it effectively or to your satisfaction, please contact us with your question. We will follow up with you and may add your question to our FAQ.
TEN (10) Reasons Why People Don’t Attend Church
Reason 1: I can't come to church until I get my life together.
Response: And church is how I got my life together.
ZION CITY IS YOUR PLACE FOR NEW BEGINNINGS.
Reason 2: I don't want my kids to be a distraction.
Response: So allow our certified licensed childcare providers to lend a hand.
ZION CITY PROVIDES WORRY-FREE CHILDCARE DURING THE EASE™ YOUR SOUL HOUR.
Reason 3: I don't want to be in church all day.
Response: Neither do we.
ZION CITY STARTS ON TIME AND ENDS ON TIME - UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED! WARNING: SERVICES ARE SO GOOD, SOME PEOPLE FIND IT HARD TO LEAVE.
Reason 4: Church is filled with hypocrites.
Response: And there's always room for one more.
ZION CITY WELCOMES IMPERFECT PEOPLE.
Reason 5: All they care about is money.
Response: We care about you not your money.
ZION CITY USES A DROP-BOX GIVING SYSTEM SO YOU CAN ENJOY SERVICE MORE FREELY.
Reason 6: Is there a dress code?
Response: Yes, the code is wear some clothes.
ZION CITY WANTS TO LOVE AND GET TO KNOW YOU, THE REST IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.
Reason 7: Church makes me nervous.
Response: You haven't been here yet.
ZION CITY KNOWS HOW IMPORTANT YOU ARE TO GOD.
Reason 8: I don't believe everything that you believe.
Response: But, you can still belong.
ZION CITY WELCOMES YOUR DOUBTS, DIFFERENCES, DISCUSSIONS, AND DISPUTES.
Reason 9: Church is for wimpy girly men.
Response: Try telling that to our men!
ZION CITY SAYS REAL MEN LOVE CHRIST!
Reason 10: If you knew me and what I've done you wouldn't want me.
Response: If you knew what I've done, you wouldn't be worried.
ZION CITY TEACHES AND PREACHES FORGIVENESS, NOW IF YOU CAN JUST FORGIVE YOURSELF!
Here’s the thing…
You can come no matter how you where brought up. It's not about a religion, it's about a relationship.
IT'S OK TO [NOT] BE OK, AS LONG AS YOU WANT TO BE OK!