Monday, July 18, 2011

Church

Yesterday, Macy and I went to church.  I honestly don't remember the last time I went to church.  It has been a long time.  But lately, I've really felt like I needed to go.  I didn't know what type of church I wanted to visit, but I knew I wanted to try a different denomination than the one in which I grew up.  I think part of the reason I haven't gone in so long is the "All-or-Nothing" mentality of that particular denomination.  Part of accepting that life isn't perfect is accepting that I sin, just like everyone else.  I want to find a church where I am accepted, not judged for my life decisions.  I really didn't feel that was possible if I stuck with Denomination X, so I decided I should look elsewhere.

A couple of weeks ago, I happened to notice a Methodist church as I was out and about.  There was nothing really spectacular about the church itself, but it stuck in my mind--enough that I Googled it when I got home.  I also looked for some other local Methodist churches, and did a little bit of research on Methodism.  I liked what I found.  One thing I liked was that they tend to be lest fundamentalist than other denominations.  I have a really hard time with rigid adherence to theology just because one verse in the Bible mentions it.  Of course, I believe the Bible was inspired and ordained by God...but I also believe it was written and translated by men.  I tend to have a looser interpretation than some, which I guess makes me not a fundamentalist.

So we visited a Methodist church yesterday.  The service was good.  We will be going back next week.  I was nervous to go, but I actually felt like I was being welcomed as a guest, instead of made into a spectacle.  I think that is a good sign.

Also, look how cute my little Cupcake was in her church clothes!

1 comment:

  1. Church stuff is hard--particularly since our interpretation of the Bible leads many of us (and by us, I mean me) to try to guide people down a path of righteousness only God is responsible for bringing in their lives. Truly, I think that's what's so amazing about grace. We find ourselves in places we never thought possible, head over heels in love with a savior we weren't sure we trusted (and again, by we, I mean me).

    I truly hope that's what you find through your church experience. It's what my heart wants for so many people; I just translate it badly.

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