Finally
I realize that posts of actual substance have been few and far between around here. Book and movie reviews, memes, quick weekly catch-ups, sure. But nothing to indicate that I’ve been doing any serious thinking. And I have, I promise! I just can’t seem to grab those thoughts in a coherent fashion when I sit down to blog.
I do have one bit of news to share, though. We have found a church. Finally! No, it’s not perfect. But it’s good. And we are done – and I mean Done-with-a-capital-D – looking! It is way too easy to stop going to church! Sleeping in on Sundays seems like a lot of fun when you are faced with visiting yet another new church where you know no one.
I have to admit to being quite a bit surprised that the church we settled on is our local First Baptist congregation. My denominational background goes something like this:
~ages 0 to 12: Catholic
~ages 12 to 16: Assembly of God
~ages 16 to 17: Foursquare – way, way too charismaniac*
~ages 17 to 21: Heathen
~ages 21 to 23: Calvary Chapel
~ages 24 to 33: Free Methodist
~since then: looking
Not a Baptist in the bunch! But this church has a pastor who teaches from the Word – he’s currently preaching through Nehemiah – and worship leaders who sing new choruses and beloved hymns. They have a great children’s program that the kids really enjoy.
We have a long way to go before it feels like “home.” It is hard to get to know people, but we are slowly but surely beginning to recognize faces and even put some names with them. I am so happy to finally be at a place where we can settle in. And I am very glad we didn’t give up looking.
*Please don’t take this as a condemnation of Foursquare as a whole. This particular congregation was a little…. out there, but I’m sure it was not an accurate reflection of the entire denomination.
YAY! I am so happy for you all. We are getting closer to finding a new place as well. I can certainly relate to the whole trying to get to know people thing, too.
April 3rd, 2007 at 10:14 pmThis is wonderful news! Having been on that journey myself, I can definitely relate! *Hugs-a-bunch*
(BTW, I’m a Baptist!)
April 4th, 2007 at 7:13 amCongratulations! I’m so happy you found a church home.
April 4th, 2007 at 7:48 amKaren – I hope your search ends soon, too!
Lisa – I didn’t know that! But being as Southern as y’all are, I should’ve suspected, huh?
Birdie – thanks!
April 4th, 2007 at 8:12 amI don’t even know what a “foursquare” is… I know we’ve got one here – but I don’t know what it is.
I also don’t get the whole “denomination” thing anyway (beyond Catholic and not-catholic). Are you a Christian or not? (Not “you” Carrie, “you” generic” – like “they”.)
I like your addition of “heathen” in your list too
April 4th, 2007 at 9:30 amThe church I grew up in was non-denomination.
April 4th, 2007 at 9:32 amMy next church was non-denominational but sometimes called themselves Evangelical.
My current church seems to be non-denominational with an Evangelical slant.
Kev – I couldn’t think of any other way to describe my college years. Heathen about sums it up. Unfortunately.
April 4th, 2007 at 6:48 pmGod bless you and your new church home.
April 4th, 2007 at 9:26 pmStaci – Thank you!
April 5th, 2007 at 6:42 pmOh, I am glad. We need to be with God’s people. I hope that you can settle into the new church and be blessed *and* be a blessing. That’s part of the package, isn’t it? Being of use, I mean.
April 9th, 2007 at 9:07 pmCarol – oh, yes – One of the things I missed most about leaving our other church and being a “wanderer” for the past year is leading worship. I’m hoping to get involved in music ministry very soon.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:10 am