Just to be the opposite of yesterday, here is a video that is all about love and harmony.
Haha. But seriously, I'm not angry.
I was going to talk today about politics, since I got rilled up by NPR this morning, but now I realize that ranting about that topic will only infer that I am indeed angry. And again, I'm not.
So, lets talk about.....church? I'm going to Brian's dream church now. It is the church he's wanted to attend ever since he became "born again" back in California. I was a bit weirded out when we went to our first service there. They are Pentecostal...meaning that they are moved by the Holy Spirit and they let you know it! They sing loudly and wave their arms and they shout out "Praise Jesus!" and various other exclamations, and they believe in "healing by laying hands" and they will reach out and pray over you and anoint you with oil and speak in tongues!
Now, to the average person, this may sound like a little much. I will admit, my first impression was "This is over the top". But let me state some of the positives for the skeptics out there.
These people are the nicest people I've ever met. That is not an exaggeration. Brian and I have been to so many churches over the years, but never in my life have I had people of every age (old to young) as well as the Pastor and his wife, take such a HUGE and PERSONAL interest in me and my family. Everyone is friendly. Everyone shakes your hand, hugs you, talks to you, invites you to things, and everyone wants to know your name. This is a good and bad thing for me, but mainly because I am used to the 30 second Kiss of Peace at the Catholic service, where everyone shakes hands politely, and then turns around again and minds their business. At our church, they shake your hand, hug you, and then get up out of their seat and walk around and hug everyone else all around the church!
The kids go to Children's Church (Sunday school), and Abby even goes to their Youth Group on Monday nights, and now has begun attending Youth Bible Study on Wednesday nights! This is just unreal as far as a teenager is concerned! Now, it may have to do with the extremely SMALL town we live in. A lot of kids in her high school also attend the Youth church events, because there aren't many events or places for kids to hang out on weekday evenings. And the Youth Pastor, the very cool guy, Pastor Alex, is a huge part of the draw. He looks like a teenager. He's usually seen with a group of teenagers, possibly with a skateboard in his hand. He texted Abby yesterday afternoon to ask if she'd be coming to Bible Study last night. I mean, how many Youth Pastors will text the kids to invite them to things?? It's a unique situation, but certainly not a bad one for her.
Another positive, is that after I got over my initial weird-out-feeling from the enthusiasm of these people, I began to appreciate it and enjoy the service. There is no boring lecture. They have a band, and they sing 3-4 songs and they have a nice PowerPoint screen with the words so you can sing along. The Pastor is very outgoing and friendly. He is ENTHUSIASTIC about the Bible, and about his feelings, and his sermons are very inspirational, as well as occasionally humorous. And one thing that impressed Brian right off the bat, was the fact that after our first service there, Pastor Dennis walked right up to us and introduced himself. That has never happened to us before.
This is Brian's dream church because of the intimate, family atmosphere, as well as the enthusiastic preaching and numerous opportunities for him to "get involved". He has always wanted to be more a part of things, but honestly, in all our past churches, either the place was as big and crowded as a rock concert, or we never felt connected to the place, and therefore, never felt welcomed to become a real part of it.
Now, as far as the politics and core beliefs of this church, I cannot say that I am 100% on board with it. They are religiously enthusiastic, and yet their political and religious opinions are very Bible based and conservative. They are very anti-Obama. I sort of sway from one extreme to the other during the Sunday services. I am happy and feeling inspired by the preaching. But then the Pastor says something about this being a "Christian Nation" and the old lady in front of us stage-whispers to her old lady companion "Not according to OBAMA!!" and I prickle. I am not a "born again Christian". And therefore, I am not fully entrenched in the Christian agenda.
I have not embraced this church as Brian has, because I still have too many questions. I am not ready to say "It's in the BIBLE and therefore it is TRUE." I am not ready to say that the only way to God is through Jesus. I believe there are many, many devoutly religious people in this world, be it Muslim, Jewish, or even those (sorry, but it's true) crazy Jehovah's Witnesses! If a person goes though their entire life, living devoutly, piously, lovingly, and worshiping God, then when they die and go to Heaven, Jesus will be at the gates to turn them away??
Brian says, either you believe in the Bible or you don't. Either you accept it all as true, or you don't. You can't say "I believe in some of it, but not all of it". Unfortunately, that's kind of where I'm at. The Christian perspective is mostly what I believe, but then again, not totally.
So, I'm attending the church. I'm enjoying most of it. I truly do love the people we've met, and the positive influence it's had on my family. But perhaps the Holy Spirit has not seen fit to power through my soul just yet?? Perhaps I'm not at a place where I am ready to accept it all. Or perhaps I will just switch back to Catholic. You never know.
But, hey! If you get a chance to attend Lake City Assembly of God while traveling through Medical Lake, Washington, you really should swing by. They will make you feel welcome, even if your a skeptic, like little old me.
My original post on FB:
ReplyDeleteAn excellent account of your feelings and perception of the church..... of course I can't fit everything into a small FB post, but I'll mention the highlights.
1. I agree with Brian - you either believe or you don't. Christianity isn't about picking which aspects fit your likes and disregarding the aspects that you don't care for. Christ died on ... See Morethe cross so that our sins can be forgiven... and we have the option to seek His grace. If we could all get to heaven by "good deeds" alone, why did Christ have to die?
2. I enjoy "upbeat praise the Lord while you wave your hands" church services about once a month or so - (sounds like your church) because I consider them a huge Jesus pep rally... which is uplifting and encouraging. But I also enjoy and find comfort in the regal quiet natured Mass. So I try to do both. Church is about learning, gathering with other believers for strength and encouragement, and most of all praising our Lord for his bountiful blessings.
3. Separating politics from religion is nearly impossible for those of us who believe in Christianity. You already know where I stand, but unfortunately, like everything else, Christianity can be corrupt or "taken advantage of" by people who are simply using it for votes or political advantage.
Loved reading it! I'm very glad the girls and Brian are enjoying themselves at church. Questioning the beliefs and motives of the church is a good thing...you grow from it. have fun at church!
Jen's FB reply:
Amber, thanks for posting and reading. I just want to say that I don't choose to "like" some things and "dislike" other things and just go with what is nice and equal to everyone. I believe in what feels like the truth in my own heart. That is where I dispute some conservative beliefs. If God is in your heart, then in MY heart, God is telling me ... See Morethat his love is not selective. I don't believe that good deeds alone will get anyone into heaven. But nor do I agree that the devout Jewish Rabbi will be in Hell because he didn't accept Jesus. I'm still working it out...
I know you're working it out... so is everyone else. Its not as if I've figured out everything and I'm 100% done learning or growing, but I have come to accept Christ and so I'm called to share that with other people.
ReplyDeleteGod is all loving, he loves all of his children dearly. But he also loved his son, and he sent him for a purpose.
Catholics believe in purgatory (which I support in concept - but not so much the physical notion of it being a different "world" or "holding place.") I believe it to be more of a moment in between here and there... a moment where our eyes are opened truly for the first time. God loves Muslims, Jews and non-believers, etc - he created each of them! Many of them (not all..) lead very great, if not exemplary, lifestyles of kindness, love, and charity - just as Christ did and wants all of us to do. I believe that these excellent members of society will be given the same chance we all get, that moment in between here and there, final judgement. God would never turn away one of his children, if they're willing to accept him. He is forgiving and gracious.
Hi Jen - your blog post is timely for me, because I've had to make a decision recently as to whether I would raise my children Catholic or not. Anna (my oldest) is at the age when religious education begins (6) for Eucharist, and it would be hard for her to start at an older age, so it seemed like it was now or never. So I started exploring churches. Oddly the ones that appealed to me most were fundamentalist churches like the one you attend. They were so much more active and church members were so involved compared to the Catholic Community. And it definitely had a family atmosphere where you could count on the members to help you out in a pinch. I also loved the upbeat, lively services like you.
ReplyDeleteAfter visiting a few different denominations I decided to revisit my Catholic parish. The one thing that compelled me to reconsider leaving was the fact that no other religion venerates the Blessed Mother quite like the Catholic Church. And the week I happened to go, the entire homily was about Mary and the fact that she is a role model for all mothers, as well as a mother to the motherless. I don't normally think this way, but this seemed like a 'sign' that this was the place for me and my family after all. So Anna is signed up for CCD next year. Much to her chagrin. :)
Sounds like with your church, maybe you can take the good and try to ignore the bad. or there may be other, more modern churches you haven't discovered yet. Good luck Church shopping, as I call it!
I just recently attended my dads baptist church and had much of the same experience you have described. I went with him because he had asked me for years. I went with the spirit of listening to another perspective. It took all I had to continue sitting in the pew as the minister spouted on about his interpretation of Romans ten read out of KJ bible. I sat there reading along with him as he spoke about how out of 15 people 9 of them proclaimed Christians only one would get to heaven. How did he know this? Was he presented with this information in the text in front of him? I was reading the same words and even in that text they did not proclaim what he was saying. I question the certainty of the philosophy of being a selected few, it feeds into religious conflict, which cannot be the intent of God. I wonder where is the love of Jesus in this, the tender heart and compassion toward the downtrodden. He did not selectively Shepard the masses while he was here he gave with love without judgement. I don't know maybe I'm wrong, then again maybe everyone else is too.
ReplyDeleteHere’s my philosophy Jen. This is what I believe to be true and what I try desperately to emulate in my behavior and actions (many times failing, but always recommitting myself again).
ReplyDeleteI know you have a wonderful love of nature and beauty so a Bible verse comes to mind which describes what I strive for each day. That verse is John 15:5 “I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me you can do nothing.”
My ‘free will’ decision to accept Christ has required me to lean on, rely on and entirely depend on God. I’ve learned that I have no power what-so-ever to change myself, my spouse, my family, my life situations, etc. that would give me peace and joy without having that complete Faith that God is directing my actions, no matter what good or bad circumstances I am going through.
But to accept God is to believe that you can have a personal relationship with him and until I gave myself totally to that commitment - I have to admit I went blindly forward.
I’ve had my own bumps along the road but always had that faith that I was not alone. That is a wonderful feeling. God is there for me – Always!
Whether it’s Catholic or Protestant, etc. – I don’t believe we’ll all be in special groups in heaven standing under signs designating our different religious identities.
But it is a total commitment, a total belief that we’re all sinners but have a God who loves us and forgives us if we only ask for that. I can do that. To do ‘nothing’ is wrong so I hope you will continue to enjoy your Sunday fellowship and just listen to your heart.