A New Church

So about eight months ago we started a search for a new church.  The one we'd been attending in Flagstaff had decided to close since money was tight and there was no long-term leadership.  It was a sad day and left many people wondering about where they would go.  The Vineyard was a motley crew of people from very different backgrounds, experiences, and histories who learned how to come together as a community; sadly, not something that is easily realized in Christian communities.  So we started looking, trying this church and then that one.  Most of the ones we went to were okay, but there was always something that didn't quite feel right.  At one place someone actually told me how stupid my degree program was and asked why I would ever want a degree in that.  Other places just never quite fit what we wanted.  We're fairly progressive and feel that everyone should have a place at the table so places that adamantly deny that are hard for us to see ourselves in long term. 

The church we've ended up at we were kind of hesitant to try.  It was an American Baptist church but during the split a few years ago they decided to go into a joint membership with ABC churches and with the new Transformations ministries that we really don't agree with.  After seeing how it affected our church in Redlands, joining a Transformations church seemed like treason at some levels.  But we had heard that quite a few people from the Vineyard had ended up there.  One weekend after my sister went there and talked about how great it was, we decided we'd give it a try.  We met the pastor and without mincing words asked why they had decided to go with Transformations.  He explained that for them, it was more a matter of maintaining relationships with other churches in the area that were all switching.  They decided to maintain their ABC membership while also staying with those in the area.  He also iterated that he doesn't agree with the new Transformation ministries theology (for good personal reasons), relieving some of our hestitancy.  It was also good to see familiar faces in the congregation of people we'd known from the Vineyard and could share in the experience with.

We started attending and each time have been very motivated by what we've experienced there.  Communion is really a community event where everyone gets together and shares a real meal during the service, someone talks about some of the work they are doing in the community or with the church, and we have communion (with real wine nonetheless).  A few weeks ago we went to a bible study, where we talked about different theological interpretations of what happens when a person dies.  It was great to have a discussion where different views are presented, discussed, and it's okay for people to disagree about it.  The more we've learned about the pastor the more I really respect what he's doing.  He's kind of dorky, but he's so interested in people, and what makes them tick and how to really care for them. He's one of the few people we've found who gets things right when he talks about other cultures, religions, and groups.  He's also willing to wear a kilt just for fun and has been joining Josh on a weekly basis for flintknapping. 

So I think we've found a new church where we feel comfortable and less on guard about what it is we believe.  I've at least been feeling more motivated to participate and do stuff in the congregation.  This Sunday I will be dusting off the djembe and playing again (after more than a year hiatus).  We feel like we can finally have open frank discussions again about how people of God should treat others in light of calls for love and grace.  And we feel like we can learn something and get some perspective.  Amen to that.

Comments

[Kate]

Amen! Maybe we'll pack our bags, quit the neighborhood where everyone is out to get us, and move to Flagstaff.

[Wendy]

Yeay for a new church! I'm so glad that you have found a place that motivates you and challenges you in your faith. I have been praying for you as you have been searching these past couple of months.

[John H.]

Yay! Congrats! Way to go in pursuing this. Thanks for sharing the "process".