Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Church: The Quest for Acceptance and Love and Peace and "The Fit"

Welcome to my Sunday morning worship experience. As many of you know we are in the process of looking for a church. And church shopping can be equated to threading my eyebrows in my book. Although I have never actually threaded my eyebrows, I have seen people in the mall do it. And it looks painful. And I saw smoke. Which always leads me to scream, "Help me baby Jesus. Help me Allah. Help me Tom Cruise. Use your witchcraft to get the fire off of me." Sorry, I digress.

But anyhoo, I liked the actual church SERVICE. The kids liked the class. BUT there were forty eleven people there and I felt lost in the crowd. I could come and go every week and no one would know. Which then leads me to ask, Do I come every week to see people and build relationships OR do I come for God? And if it is the latter, do I care if anyone notices?

I think the answer for me is BOTH. I need fellowship and accountability and relationship and PEOPLE. And there are LOTS AND LOTS of people. But we had to take a shuttle from the Traveler's parking lot to the church. That's how many peeps are here.

But the worship and the service were applicable and Christ centered and gooood. And IJ looked down and said, "ARE YOU TAKING PICTURES IN CHURCH????" And I was all like, "There are soooo many people no one will notice."

Then he made me raise my hand at the altar call. I was all like "Save me Baby Jesus."

I kid. I kid.

I think we might go back. Maybe. Possibly. Would you?

21 comments:

Kym said...

Christ based AND people based. A good mix is important to me. That looked like you were attending a conference, not a church.

Queen of the Misfits said...

I am a fan of both, smaller and larger churches....but not too small!

Dana and Daisy said...

We used to go to a pretty big church. We went for four years. We saw the same guy during coffee break, (yes they had coffee break in the middle of the service, to keep us all awake I reckon,) and anyway, every time we saw the same guy, we'd wave and say Hi! Mr. So and so! How are you! And he'd say, I'm sorry, have we met? Now this went on for years and to make it worse, he was like a deacon or something and he was the first person we met when we visited and he offered to "host us" at our first coffee. Gee you'd think he might have tried to remember us!

Anyway, I am not big into big churches. But if it works for your family, then go for it. Will we see you on tv? If so then you should make your family wear t-shirts with the name of your blog on it! hee hee! Okay, I'm kidding, please God, do not strike me down for that one!

Lesa said...

We attend Fellowship Church and it is like that as well in the satellite churches. The main one, seats thousands.... we love it. It doesn't bother us one bit. To me, it is all about the message and how it is delivered. The preacher there delivers it the way I like it and that is why we keep going back. It doesn't matter to us that we don't meet people. It isn't a social thing for us.

Sally Pepper said...

We go to a church where if you don't go, someone calls and says "We missed you." Seriously. We went to Vegas and missed a Sunday. On that Friday, I stopped at the church as the ladies were catering a lunch. I got the biggest hug and felt so loved. That's the kind of church I like.I, do, however think that it is very important that you're going and looking. You'll know.

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks said...

I am more of a fan of a smaller church..I like to know that I matter and that people miss me when I'm not there.

Tracie said...

I'm thinking I like the small church setting, where you know people, when their sick, when their dealing with issues, when their happy, etc. But there is something to be said about a good sermon. (which is what my church is lacking right now)

One Gray Hair At A Time said...

I go to a largish (is that even a word) church, and when you miss a week, a month, a year no one would notice. Plus they all have grown up together (Dutch church) so even though my husband has always gone there, and I have gone now for 21 years people still don't know my name. I have gotten to the point of not even going, my husband takes the kids himself. I know that's not the reason why you go....the pastor isn't very good at bringing the word of God home to you either....but it helps you to know that you are loved and part of a church family. We are going to start visiting other churches hopefully soon.

meintwitter said...

Go and get in a small group too. You all have too many gifts to be just attenders.

Tana said...

i'd probably check out something smaller. having fellowship with other believers is an important part of worship. obviously, a LOT of people are comfortable with the huge churches (or they wouldn't be huge). if it didn't feel right, keep looking. if you're not sure, visit again. if you decide you loved it, don't worry about what the rest of us think.

Christy said...

I went to a small church for 18 1/2 years before we moved. Now I go to a pretty big church, at least it's big to me. We have 2 services on Sunday morning and about 400 people show up at each one. I've been going there about 3 months and I still can't name more than a handful of people. I've only spoken to the pastor twice. It's just not the same for me. I think of church as not so much social, but....family. And I really miss that.
On the other hand, if you like it, and the kids like it, try it for a few weeks or maybe months. You might be pleasantly surprised. Sorry to write a book. And BTW, I think it's Hi-larry-us that you were taking pics during the service. Too funny!

Casey (@ Chaos and Cardboard) said...

We had this same issue when looking for a church. My parents finally put it this way- Are you looking for a church that makes you feel good or a church that serves God according to his purpose. Ugh. Right in the heart. I wanted to be noticed, I wanted to like the worship, I I I. What I wasn't checking on was Him. Where did He want me to be, where would He have me serve, where was this church in line with His word?

Sure, you want a place to feel comfortable, but that comes when you are in a place that loves the Lord.

As long as you get involved you don't get lost, even in a big church.

Marchelle said...

i've been to big & small and i don't know which one i would pick to stay at, cuz we all know i don't go on a regular basis, and by regular basis i mean AT ALL. i could list my excuses, but i'll spare you.

anyway, the big one was HUGE with tons of people and energy but was kinda drama-filled. the small one was quaint and country and beautiful but it made me want to take a nap. like the guy in the back row always did.

i want the loud christian rock band music, but i want the sweet little old white haired ladies who knit scarves and have bake sales.
i want them to know me, but not call and bug me when i didn't show up on sunday.

so when you find one with sweet little old ladies and live rock bands, let me know.

Stacey said...

Can I just say wow????? That is a HUGE amount of people. I can't say it would be a bad thing - but I kinda think I might want to see the priests (yes I would be catholic) face with my own eyes instead of on screen. But the message is still the same I guess. SO what do ya think - will you keep looking?

Anonymous said...

Question? Is everyone sitting during praise and worship or is that the actual sermon?
Tiff

J said...

If you enjoyed the sermon, you can always join a small group and that will be your church family...at least that is how it is at the large church we attend. I grew up in a small church, where everyone knows you, your grandma and your great-great aunt sally...you get the picture. They call when you miss a Sunday...sometimes out of noseyness and sometimes out of concern - depends on who called. Both are great, but what it really boils down to for me is are my husband and I getting fed spiritually, and is it fulfilling for my kids, are they learning? If the answer is yes, then we know it is the right place to be.

Dreams of a Country Girl said...

Tiff -

first of all, i wuvs u.

secondly, the stood up duting praise and worship. it was very much so like catalyst. the pic you saw was the sermon.

third, i wuvs u.

Treasia Stepp said...

I have never been to a large church before. At least not as large as your pictures are showing. Had you not told us it was a church I would have thought it a huge town meeting or conference of sorts.

I like a church who knows it's members by name, who knows if you have a family member who is sick, if you missed church and who has wonderful gatherings together. Besides worshiping the Lord I enjoy the time together to do this.

Anonymous said...

Okay just checking. Had they sat through it i would advise otherwise. I love you too.
Tiffanie

The Kelso-Winter Family said...

Hey CG. we have been so blessed to find the best church ever up here in Calgary.. a place where the minister inspires (judging by all the new people each week). it's small enough to make us feel like we are needed and noticed and big enough that there's a great diversity.. keep searching until the fit is perfect and God bless y'all on the journey! p.s. if they didn't kick you out for taking pics during the service, maybe it IS a good fit.. ha ha

Anonymous said...

Why not pray to God and ask him to guide you to the church that he feels is best for you and your family. A place where you can can feel his presence and learn of him, a church that truly serves others,where friends can support you and you can inspire and support them. A place that encourages you and your family to grow into the best people you can be and to share your God given talents to serve others. God Knows and loves us all. He will answer your prays if you will just ask.