My pastor once said that choosing a church was a little like getting married: You don’t hop around from one to the next; You “date” the same one for a while, and then you commit. But how do you handle doubts about the one you chose?
***
Please visit A Deeper Story to read the rest of today’s post!
Going to read this!
Denominations don’t mean anything. They’re merely whether you sing and clap, sing and close your eyes, take communion every Sunday or once a month, baptize babies or adults and/or other secondary doctrines and/or rites. At the end of the day, we’re all Christians and children of the only God. Yes, it’s true about going to a church, feeling welcome and getting comfortable in it. That’s how you shop for a church.
Pingback: feeling much more at home at a new church « The Christian Noob (n00b)
I read the whole piece on the other blog, but I’m commenting here. As you know, I am Jewish, but church and temple are similar in terms of what they are designed to do — the purpose, the mission.
We recently had a very ugly situation at our temple that has left the congregation divided. What was once a wonderful place to go and feel connected to other people, now — not so much. So much suspicion and politics (which should be left outside the door) have seeped through the walls that hubby and I have been asking ourselves your question.
I took note when one person commented something to the effect: “when the staying hurts more than the idea of leaving, then you’ll know.” That has a lot of resonance for me. I am holding it close and thinking carefully. These decisions have to be made carefully. Thank you for this timely and beautifully written piece.
I love how open you are to allow my Christian-slanted posts touch you. So glad this one met you where you are.