Cute, Little And Old
So all summer I've had these strange longings to visit churches, not because I want to leave my awesome church but well... I don't know... just for fun, I guess. Maybe it's sort of like Fight Club's Tyler Durden and Marla Singer and their addiction to support groups, except my "tourism" is with churches.... Or maybe it's not anything like that at all.
Anyway, since I go to my church's late afternoon service (which works well with my occasional sleeping in habits) I have Sunday mornings free to fulfill these notions that seem to grab... only me. But you have to admit that it's nice to get the attention for being the new person at church. Everyone feels the obligation to introduce themselves, shake your hand and try to get you to come back.
Yesterday morning I thought I would visit the cute, little, old church on the corner near my house that runs a weekly food bank for the needy in town... and this church is just so cute, little and old. If I ever get married again someday I think this kind of a church wedding would fit my very nontraditional tastes well - especially with its chipped white paint, a modest spire, charming barely-lit candles, and chromatic carpet of times past.
Also, the pastor's wife likes to stop by my house from time to time and chat and invite me to things, so there was a little obligation to visit there too.
This Baptist-affiliated church was quite different than Mars Hill Church and my two youngest kids and I were somewhat of a spectacle. We fumbled around the well-worn hymnals and sang the wrong verses. Chloe dropped her crayons so we had to crawl under the pews to gather them back up. Brian had to go "potty" and we had to walk right through the middle of the church with all eyes upon us to get to the bathroom. Then we fought yawns during the mumbled scripture reading.
But the sermon was fantastic. I am reminded with these church visits that no matter how it's done, there are people everywhere that love Jesus and that the Bible is preached to some extent in some form or another. It is amazing that we like to quibble at secondary issues or feel that our church is a little closer to God than others. But then it's also nice of God to put up with us and still care for us so deeply.
My attention was caught by a beautiful lady in the front row who resembled the church building in human form, and was probably just as old. She had shiny silver hair pulled back in a loose, curling bun with an antique hair clip. She wore a bright pink, tweed dress-suit that reflected her nodding, supportive smile. Had she faithfully attended that church for many years? Perhaps her whole life? What was her story? I wanted to shake her hand, spend the afternoon talking over tea maybe? but I lost her presence in the crowd when church was over.
On the walk home, my kids and I talked about all of the neat things we liked about church and all of the friendly people. Although we might never visit that church again (unless I get married and my groom-to-be doesn't mind), my thoughts will go a little broader as I spy that quaint church on the corner, or hear its steeple bells ringing.
Comments
enjoyed reading about your experience. there seems to be a church experience today that may not have much to with the first described pattern in acts 2:42....and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers. I want to go to this church. I am tired of getting "sung at" and listening to men with the anointing of human personality.
rebecca
I am reminded with these church visits that no matter how it's done, there are people everywhere that love Jesus and that the Bible is preached to some extent in some form or another. It is amazing that we like to quibble at secondary issues or feel that our church is a little closer to God than others. But then it's also nice of God to put up with us and still care for us so deeply.
What a beautiful way to see the church! Your eyes and your heart are so open! And I know God does "put up with us" because we are his children. We squabble and fight, and make it all about ourselves, but he loves us anyway!
The only thing is, you say that "the church has its problems too, only you wouldn't expect it there". But actually, isn't that the place you would expect it? Isn't that just like a family? We fight among ourselves, but when we're in need or when the world picks on our brothers or when it really counts, we are always there for each other.
We the church, look at the world and say, "why aren't you Christian?" The world looks at us and asks, "why aren't you Christlike?"
It is not my purpose to criticize the church but, I think that is a fair objection the world my raise.