Picture this.... It is 8:00 am on Sunday morning. Most people are sleeping, but not you. You wake up, take a shower, throw down some fast breakfast and go to....CHURCH? You walk in, feel joy as you enter a beautiful sanctuary and see friendly and familiar faces. You hug and laugh and even on a rare occasion, cry. It is wonderful. Then you pick up the bulletin.
Introit ... call to worship .... hymn .... passing the peace .... announcements ..... prayer .... hymn .... psalter ..... offertory .... doxology ..... sermon .... hymn .... benediction .... hymmmnnnn ...... hyzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....................
Oh, it's over? You ask yourself, was I really drooling? Shew, my hour this week is done. Score!
I grew up in a Methodist church which held VERY liturgical worship services. What I termed, BORING snooze fest; only good for playing games, writing notes to your neighbor or thinking about what you plan to do for the rest of the day. And, as time went on, I really grew to hate them. So much so that when I eventually left that church, I went to a non-denominational contemporary mega church. And, I loved it. LOVED IT! The freedom to try new things and not get stuck in a silly routine which only made sense to people from 200 years ago did not appeal to me. And drums! Drums in church!!!! Rock on!
But, as is known to happen when we belong to God, He often has other plans for us. Not only did God move me from that church, He moved me from that time zone. I now find myself married to a wonderful man of God, who on August 1st will be starting a brand new career as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. A long awaited career that has been over 15 years in the making. And, have you guessed it, his (and the churches) first preference for worship? Liturgical. Ugh. Are you KIDDING me God?
This morning, I felt convicted during worship. Here I am, pouting and throwing an inward temper tantrum because I don't enjoy this particular style of worship. And with that, I am missing the point about corporate worship in general. It isn't about Sharon. It isn't about any specific style of music or how prayers or said or what specific songs are played nor on what instruments. It is about coming together to worship and praise God as a community. It is ALL about God, and only God.
So, will I enjoy liturgical services from this point on? Probably not. But it does not matter. I will worship with joy and thanksgiving anyhow. Period. Why bother? Because being a born again Christian requires discipline and is a reminder that Earth simply does not revolve around me. And like I think most of us, that is a wise reminder and kick we often need as human beings.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
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4 comments:
:) Even non-denominational churches have a predictable order of worship. It's just in a more casual style with contemporary music, without old fashioned names. :)
I'm sure you'll be fine. God speed!
Now that you're no longer a kid, you can pay attention to the words you're speaking, praying and singing and I know that God can and will bless you through those words so that in a few years you'll wonder why you never saw before what you will see then. Congratulations to your husband on his new appointment!
I agree with Debbie. You've probably grown in the Lord since you first attended a liturgical church. Therefore, the way that you experience this church could be different if you focus on the beauty of the liturgy. Have you thought about periodically visiting another church that has a worship style that is more comfortable for you? Also, you can experience a lot of freedom in your worship of God at home as well. Or even get together with some friends who are similar and worship together (prayer, CDs, dance, flags, etc.) These are just thoughts.
Good point, Anonymous, about finding other services elsewhere. I have a friend who is a Captain in the Salvation Army--a denomination that has been very much against any form of charismatic Christianity--but she had embraced the Holy Spirit and his work in her life and the lives of others and wanted to get fed with more of it. She had to go to her own church's services, so one of the things she did was to go to a Tuesday-night praise and worship service at another church. Her best friend is also someone who is of like mind who does not attend an SA church--which would probably be a good idea for you when you become pastor's wife at this liturgical church; having a good friend outside the church who you can talk to openly without worrying how it will affect church dynamics and who can keep you grounded in the spiritual things you value that may not be part of your new church.
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