There's an interesting discussion occurring right now. It is not new, nor is it limited to the blogs I've read and experiences I've had. But I find it interesting, nonetheless.
To church, or not to church?
The answer has always seemed obvious to me, but I'm slowly learning it's not so clear to everyone else. Don Miller wrote about it last week, and while I didn't agree with his sentiments, I appreciate the eloquent and thoughtful way he expressed them. Some people, it seems, do not feel the need to attend a church, because they feel that they can "get God" elsewhere.
During spring break of my freshman year at Auburn, I went on a mission trip to an immigrant community outside of Atlanta. We stayed with a group that lived in the community and did all types of outreach. In many ways, this group was doing wonderful work. But those people also gave me a sense of spiritual uneasiness that I've never otherwise felt. So many things seemed to clash, but the one thing that I remember most was the night they told us about how they didn't attend a church. Since our traveling group was bonded by the church we all attended each Sunday, we obviously all saw major issues with this belief. There was respectful debate, but no opinions changed. That was my first glance into this group of Christians.
Now, I absolutely think you can experience God anywhere. Some of my most sacred talks with God have come in the strangest places– in the woods, in the car, in a public bathroom stall with tears streaming down my face. But if there's one place where I consistently experience God, it's church. It's when the music is loud and the voices are joyful, when the people– strangers and friends alike– meet you with a smile, and when the message shoots straight into your soul and makes your breath catch.
I think Sarah Bessey described it best. It's a long piece, but just a snapshot of the community-building, heart-sharing, and soul-baring that goes on at church. It doesn't matter what the church looks like, whether it's in a theater or a basement or a musty high school gym with creaky bleachers. Church is where we come together, and go to God.
Everyone's view of right and wrong is different, and I don't have a right to criticize or shame anyone. I don't know if I feel this way simply because it's how I was raised, but I know it feels right to me. I know when I started thinking about this issue for the millionth time, I sat up straight in my bed, in the dark at 1:47 AM, and I started to write. It feels important, because it is important.
To church, or not to church?
The answer has always seemed obvious to me, but I'm slowly learning it's not so clear to everyone else. Don Miller wrote about it last week, and while I didn't agree with his sentiments, I appreciate the eloquent and thoughtful way he expressed them. Some people, it seems, do not feel the need to attend a church, because they feel that they can "get God" elsewhere.
During spring break of my freshman year at Auburn, I went on a mission trip to an immigrant community outside of Atlanta. We stayed with a group that lived in the community and did all types of outreach. In many ways, this group was doing wonderful work. But those people also gave me a sense of spiritual uneasiness that I've never otherwise felt. So many things seemed to clash, but the one thing that I remember most was the night they told us about how they didn't attend a church. Since our traveling group was bonded by the church we all attended each Sunday, we obviously all saw major issues with this belief. There was respectful debate, but no opinions changed. That was my first glance into this group of Christians.
Now, I absolutely think you can experience God anywhere. Some of my most sacred talks with God have come in the strangest places– in the woods, in the car, in a public bathroom stall with tears streaming down my face. But if there's one place where I consistently experience God, it's church. It's when the music is loud and the voices are joyful, when the people– strangers and friends alike– meet you with a smile, and when the message shoots straight into your soul and makes your breath catch.
I think Sarah Bessey described it best. It's a long piece, but just a snapshot of the community-building, heart-sharing, and soul-baring that goes on at church. It doesn't matter what the church looks like, whether it's in a theater or a basement or a musty high school gym with creaky bleachers. Church is where we come together, and go to God.
Everyone's view of right and wrong is different, and I don't have a right to criticize or shame anyone. I don't know if I feel this way simply because it's how I was raised, but I know it feels right to me. I know when I started thinking about this issue for the millionth time, I sat up straight in my bed, in the dark at 1:47 AM, and I started to write. It feels important, because it is important.