First Congregational Church of Merrimack

****Note: I went here for 2 years and left not due to my own wishes (my parent’s decision). This review reflects the short time I spent there, along with my continued relationship with aspects and people of the church.***
This church holds a special place in my heart, even though I’ve moved slightly away from some of its doctrine (I went from straight covenant to New Covenant theology). Pastor Allen Tomlinson is friendly, always was willing to talk to then-​12 year old me, and even spent hours of out his day teaching us homeschooled kids at the relatively large co-​op they sponsored. Though I was only a tweenager at the time, their careful attention to doctrine and the weighty matters of Scripture – even at a level a 12 year old could understand, though never «dumbed-​down» in any respect – made a lasting impression. I know Providence lead me to that church, if only for such a short time, to form the core of my beliefs today. If it weren’t for their attentiveness to the children there, crystal clear and completely non-​shallow preaching, I certainly would not be in the same place today. So, for those that insist that kids can only digest – or want – themed Sunday School lessons infused with nothing more than a Bible verse and candy, let me prove your theories wrong. For those 2 years carried me through eight years of Dispensational teaching plus Word of Life Bible Institute, and gave me a desire to learn more and more doctrine. AND I met my husband (at my new dispie church) by asking questions such as «um, why does my new church believe people are getting raptured?» and other such things.
SO, here are the base-​line facts:
Teaching is solidly reformed and services conform to the Regulatory Principle of worship. Though congregational in name, church leadership conforms to a Presbyterian model with rigorously selected elders. I believe the official stance is in favor of paedobaptism, but at least among my friends who did/​still attend here, there seems to be a respected diversity of opinion on the matter. In keeping with I Cor. 11, they have a closed communion, which becomes open once one takes a class and becomes a member of the church.
The church itself is quite conservative; there’s a large, wonderful group of homeschoolers here, and while I attended there were a number of young children, though I’m not sure how the demographics are today. They support a good number of missionaries, and are affiliated with Camp Shiloh in Jefferson, NH. Every month they would even come out with a newsletter with a large article addressing either a theological or practically relevant truth, along with the church events, anniversaries, etc.
The building itself is a local landmark, and retains its historic flavor; classic wooden pews, a simple pulpit, belltower, large fellowship hall, a labyrinth of downstairs classrooms and a respectfully adequate library allow for a large number of people to move about and find room to fellowship.
If you’re reformed, reformed-​baptist, a fan of Jonathan Edwards, Calvin, Sibbes, John Piper, the Westminster Confession or any other related camp, and looking for a church, at least visit here.