So, in my whole journey out of church employment and into just going to church, I've been given a lot to think about. Mostly by myself of course, because I tend to enjoy over thinking things, but it's been a conversation that has been bigger than me at the same time. I have had quite a few conversations about it as of late, so I wanted to put some thoughts down on paper. I would love some discourse on this, so, intro out of the way, here we go...
SEARCHING FOR A CHURCH: SOME THOUGHTS
I think sometimes we think a lot of things about church-shopping, mostly:
1. that it's bad. (you're SHOPPING?! for a CHURCH?!?!?!? you don't SHOP for a church you PAGAN!!! REPENT!!!) Now, I'm not saying go to wal-mart and find the cheapest one that requires the least of you, but know that finding the right place sometimes means visiting lots of WRONG places. (even if it is just their poorly designed website)
2. that God will reveal to us in a chorus of 1000 angels that we have landed in the right church. No, probably not. Life is not an episode of touched by an angel. A dove won't fly into the picture and some lady next to you get a soft glow on top of her head and tell you in a thick irish accent that this is where you should be. It's much more natural than that. You find a community of people you relate to, God will place those people in front of you, and you'll know you're there. (Save the rest of this idea for part 2...)
3. that it is not worth the time/trouble/hastle/pain/etc... YES IT IS. It matters, because being a part of a community is seriously important. God wouldn't have built the Church if it wasn't something that mattered or that was supposed to exist. Some versions of church may be a horrible idea, but then, call me crazy, maybe those are the places you skip returning to. Doesn't mean all are bad. Some are really really great. That could be it's own blog, so we'll leave that as it is for now.
** important delineation to make here to: "attending services" is not the same as "going to church." Think about it.
4. that it will take forever - maybe, maybe not. doesn't mean it isn't worth the effort.
I have to say, it's been really freeing to dream about what church can look like, rather than settling for something that I might not really want to be a part of. And knowing that I am in no rush to find the place, but to really find the place I want to engage in has been really great. Maybe that's a good place to start, ask what you would LOVE in a place to join.
Part 2 coming up soon. Start dreaming. Live deeper.
As long as it's not like this, you'll be good:
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