My Search for a Church
A few days ago I decided to be honest with myself. The two churches I am currently attending (and have been attending for a long time) do absolutely nothing for me spiritually. Sure it is grand to see friends, family, and a pastor I respect at the one place, but if church is to become anything more than a social event I need to find something more.
This change of attitude towards my church has been gradually developing inside of me for quite awhile. Every week it gets reinforced as the singing/prayer/fellowship/preaching does nothing to fill my desire to truly worship God. Lately at home I have been dedicating time each day for both normal and contemplative prayer, which has been fantastic. All I need to do is find a church that gives me that same sense of God-presence that I crave during a church service.
So accordingly I have been looking around at the different churches/denominations that are relatively close to me (although I have not attended any yet), and I hope to find something that itches right where I am scratching. I am thinking of something more classical/liturgical in style, so both the Anglican and even Catholic churches have sparked my interest. Theological difference means almost nothing to me now, considering I will most likely encounter it wherever I go. The main things I am looking for is a respect for other peoples beliefs and a worship style that I like.
I really pray that I will be able to find something, because If I don't I can really see myself becoming a "Churchless Christian" sometime in the next year.
This change of attitude towards my church has been gradually developing inside of me for quite awhile. Every week it gets reinforced as the singing/prayer/fellowship/preaching does nothing to fill my desire to truly worship God. Lately at home I have been dedicating time each day for both normal and contemplative prayer, which has been fantastic. All I need to do is find a church that gives me that same sense of God-presence that I crave during a church service.
So accordingly I have been looking around at the different churches/denominations that are relatively close to me (although I have not attended any yet), and I hope to find something that itches right where I am scratching. I am thinking of something more classical/liturgical in style, so both the Anglican and even Catholic churches have sparked my interest. Theological difference means almost nothing to me now, considering I will most likely encounter it wherever I go. The main things I am looking for is a respect for other peoples beliefs and a worship style that I like.
I really pray that I will be able to find something, because If I don't I can really see myself becoming a "Churchless Christian" sometime in the next year.
posted by Timothy at 2:41 PM
1 Comments:
Tim,
I completely second your sentiments. I don't know your background, obviously, but I know that a significant part of my migration was the sense (theologically as well as aesthetically driven) that a church grounded in the tradition and liturgy was a much more adequate expression of the faith as I had come to understand it. For my part, I have really come feel good about Anglicanism - particularly the high church, anglo-catholic mode of worship.
It's a way of being church centered around the liturgy and the community of faith rather than doctrine or social events or any kind of feel-good Christianity. That to me is tremendously attractive.
Best wishes in your search!
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