Howdy!
I'm still frustrated from spending several hours trying to get a video editing program to work the way I want. (Or rather... it ain't.) That, and I can't say that my church "experiences" were entirely helpful.
I have to say, I thought that going with other people would make this easier. Y'know, someone to talk to, maybe someone to make introductions. Uh... no.
First stop on (what's becoming a weekly event) my Sunday double header, Woodinville Community Church. Why? Because my brother and his family go there. Which is both a pro and a con. With the addition of communion and a nicer building, it is essentially the church that I grew up in. Same difficulty getting microphones and sound to work. Same kids playing with little activities, same people in church crying at a beloved member moving away. All things that I'm used to. But it also means that there's the same demographic. Elder-age folks, and families. And that's about it. With all due respect, that's why I'm taking a break from my church. To mingle among those my own age. Sigh. A perfectly nice service, what I'm used to, but I'm lookinng for different these days. Again, if I want that sort of thing, I'll just go back to my homebase. I like my home base.
Up front, I have to admit that the people I went with made a huge impact on the effect the surroundings had on me. Actually, it was the people that made all the impressions. Picture if you will, a 4 year old (her birthday's next month, I'm rounding) sitting to my left, and my sister-in-law and 1 year old niece (ditto the birthday) next to me on the right. I had never gone to any service with this family before. Wow. First off, when the church stands to sing, understandably the munchkin wants to sing. So I slung her up and held her by my "hip" for a song. then after the church says good bye to this person and prays for that mission group, we decide to sing another three songs. Which means I'm holding this 4 year old for 3 more songs. (Yes, I know I didn't "have" to, but even I have a macho side. Uncle-responsibilites. Etc.) Even after the service, my arms were still quivering. But I survived it, darnit! Oh, and about 1/3 into the sermon, she decided she was tired and needed a nap. On me. Apparently there's a precise way I should arrange my arms and lap to maximize her comfort. It is true, she made sure I knew it. How you parents can capture the entire service while taking care of two kids? How single parents can survive at all? Beyond me. I may sub as an uncle here and there, but I'm a bachelor, darnit! Whole new world for me.
Capitol Hill is not my world either. So when I struck up a conversation with a coworker Saturday night, I was surprised to find out that she had been raised Episcopalian. As I was talking about churches that I planned to visit, she made comment about us going to Compline service up at St. Mark's Cathedral. A Google search later, and we had plans to hit that 9:30 service.
The building? The intended atmosphere? Love it. The old building, The complete utter lack of computers or LCD projectors? Adore it. (Even the fact that they have their speakers on wobbly little moveable stands!) My kinda style. Keep 'er old, and keep 'er simple. Then there were the people.... oy. Look, I am all for relaxed. I wore jeans and flannel. I appreciate that people can bring blankets and sit/lay around the floor. I'm sure my grandparents would be horrified, but I don't think God minds you being comfy. You want a service that's half of a LASER show? St. Mark's. Including the cellular phones...
Oh. My. Word!
What is wrong with you people? It's not that I have two guys gossiping behind me throwing out works like "fucking" and "duschebag" while in church. I'll let it pass that you're throwing out phrases like, "Do you know what 'these people' believe?" No, your pew-pals get to send TEXT MESSAGES! IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SERVICE!!!! What is wrong with you people!?!?!?! Are you so completely self-centered and stuck on your technology that you can't get your heads out of your butts and TURN OFF YOUR PHONE IN CHURCH!?!? Ridiculous. Unacceptable. I about grabbed that dang thing and snapped it in half. But that wouldn't have been the best testament to my Quaker beliefs. Sigh. Okay, here's the thing. I can't judge. (Well, I can... but when has that done anyone any good?) But that's not how I was raised you behave in church. At least not if you're over 12 years old. And these folks were in their 20's. And I think all people should be allowed in church service. Prisoners of war, light skin, dark skin, native american, reformed nazis, jews, homosexuals, tax collectors, homeless, drinkers, burpers, yuppies... everybody. God came for everybody, so let everybody worship. And you can't know where people are in their walk with God. So I think anyone who has event a slightest tug to go to church should go and be welcomed. It's not who you are as a person that I dislike, it's what you're doing. And what you're doing with your phone just might drive me slowly insane.... Rude!
Ahem. Cellular rant, over. The service was only about 30 minutes long. A surprising length to me for such a traditional building. (I figure, the older the building; the longer the talking. Hey, it's how Catholics do it.) But then my cohort told me it's supposed to be done everyday. Plus, I have to freely admit to not being able to understand what the sam hill they were singing over there. Kinda like interpreting Celtic singing on the first try. Made a nice sound though.... Didn't feel God moving me, but I'm okay with not having that experience everytime.
So yes, the environment? The architecture? The intended mood? Fantastic. A nice throwback to -worshipping- God. Just check your me-centric 'tude at the door.
Again, not entirely God-centered Sunday. Quite distracting in parts. But entirely educational. Learning is never a bad thing. Just means these two ain't quite for me. So.... what is?
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4 comments:
I'm surprised you'd never been to the evening service of St. Mark's before! I went far too seldom, but always loved it; it was so relaxing and meditative. Especially enjoyed the chanting.
St. Mark's has become a big tradition on Capitol Hill, and for many around the city. And they do an amazing job of creating a space for those who are not only unchurched but non-Christian. Indeed, I think the vast majority of those who attend the 930 service are non-Christian, and would describe themselves as such. Yet still they come- to worship Jesus. This might explain some of the disrespect you saw around you. For some, they don't see worship as valuable at this point. For others, they are completely unchurched, and so lying on a blanket is completely cool. (Frankly, myself growing up unchurched, I like that idea too! ;-)
I'm all for casual. But rude is rude is rude.
I've been to compline at St. Marks several times and really enjoyed it. I'm sorry you had such lousy pew neighbors! I've never had quite the experience - though I think I've heard some whispering before. I wouldn't cross this one off the list just yet. It's certainly something you can attend every now and then if you feel a need for that contemplative environment in the way they offer. Oh, and sometimes if you stay later they play the pipe organ which is pretty cool. =)
Keep searching. Keep Seeking. Don't be too surprised if find major problems everywhere you go. Todays weak churches are filled with blind leaders. Here's the specifics:
http://thebigpictureministry.htohananet.com/blog/_archives/2008/1/15/3467347.html
Chuck Colson posted this question s in his “The Year Ahead” write-up on Jan 3. Take a look.
“As I said on "BreakPoint" recently, too, we need to take stock of ourselves. I believe Christians these days belong on our knees: repenting of our self-indulgence; repenting of going to church but not making any difference in our society; repenting of the fact that we have not learned how to defend and live out our faith.
I would like to say that the Church is a beacon of light to the culture today. But I am afraid it is kind of a dim light. If I were to make a New Year's resolution, it would be to help Christians clean up our act so that we really are transformed and live in such a way that we transform the world around us-starting with the voting tomorrow.”
Chuck asks a great question: Why has the church not made any difference in society? Why has she become self-indulgent, and not yet learned to defend and live out her faith? I think that the key to correcting this is simple obedience to the Bible. Many false (man made) doctrines have plagued churches over the centuries. If we can reclaim some simple truths out of the Bible; we can again become the church God desires, the humble, submitted loving body of Christ.
There are clear Biblical doctrines that we have lost (Servant Leadership, and The Priesthood of Believers), and un-biblical doctrines that we have adopted (The Greek homilies).
Servant Leadership is a key concept in the new Testament.
“Servant Leadership”
http://thebigpictureministry.htohananet.com/blog/_archives/2007/9/22/3246902.html
but over time the church has destroyed the Priesthood of Believers, in favor of the paid priesthood, What appeared is something very similar to the priesthood found in the old testament, but thoroughly inconsistent with the New Testament.
As bad as this is, it is not as damaging to the flock as the churches inability follow this simple verse.
NLT 1 Cor 14;26 “A Call to Orderly Worship” 26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let's summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
The KJV say “to edify”. The MKJV says to “build up”. The CEV say “you must do everything for the good of everyone there”. NIV says "for the strengthening of the church. This verse is God's prescription to strengthen, to edify, to build up his church. Pastors don't like this verse, because it is inconsistent with their sermons (Greek Homilies). Sermons are fine for outreaches like Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, but they are incompatible with believer gatherings, with church services. This error started as early as 100 AD. Rather than times where everyone shared (see 1 Cor 14;26 above), one predominant teacher began to monopolize the time.
These gathering times clearly belong to God, and to his control, men have take over. Today’s Paid priesthood have stepped in to fill what they saw as a void. What that really accomplished was cutting the body off from the headship of Christ. This is further explained in “Is Christ The Head of Today’s Church”.
http://thebigpictureministry.htohananet.com/blog/_archives/2007/11/7/3341043.html
There is nothing wrong with starting these times of sharing on a certain track, but when we are all truly seeking the Holy Spirit, God will take us where he desires to. There is a problem when one persons teaching dominates the gathering. The Bible describes a very simple process. Each follower of Christ seeks guidance from the Holy Spirit and then shares at the gathering. 1 Cor 14;30 in The Message Translation even states “Take your turn, no one person taking over”
Here's a link that develops this further:
“THE MAIN Believer Gathering Must be a Believer Gathering”.
http://thebigpictureministry.htohananet.com/blog/_archives/2007/11/4/3334999.html
This is not a new problem. Take a look at this excerpt from a 1920 pamphlet by Frank B Holes titled “Assembly Principles” updated by Roger P Daniel in 1977
http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/hole/Art/Assembly%20Principles.html
“When we see the truth of the Church as presented in Scripture and we think about putting it into practice, we become aware that the present general condition of Christendom (professing-christianity) is a total denial of these church truths.”
…Can the truth of the Church be practiced under present conditions? How is it possible today?
It would be impossible to walk into any building where religious services were being performed according to a liturgy (a formal order of service) or by an ordained minister and try to gather according to the principles laid down by the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor. 12 and 14. Any who attempted it would be considered disorderly. The only way to practice the truth as to the Church is by ceasing to practice what is not the truth. This can only be done by withdrawing from all that has no approval from Scripture. Being free from disobedience, we then can be obedient. Thus, we must first cease to do evil and then learn to do good. Any attempt to go on with both would be a great disservice to the cause of truth. It would say, in effect, that there is no basic, real difference between what is purely human and what is divine and, consequently, we can go on with either or both.”
… “First of all, the intrusion of any human system or organization into the divine order, to where the divine order is eventually obliterated, is a very grievous sin! It is not a sin to be attached to any one individual since it has crept in slowly: still it is a serious evil. It is a striking fact that at the close of a long passage on the divine order for the actual assembling of the church in 1 Cor. 14, Paul warns, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (14: 37). In this way, the Holy Spirit anticipated the careless tendencies that invariably come out whenever carnality (natural human, worldly ways) prevails, which tendencies are prominent today.
When spiritual power is low and worldly principles come into the Church, the tendency is to find divine order irksome because it makes certain demands on a good spiritual condition ― a condition not present. It also exposes the worldly-weakness which is present. So, the strong temptation is to be careless as to the instructions of Scripture: useful on many occasions, interesting, instructive but optional ― something that may be obeyed, not something that must be obeyed. All this, however, is entirely swept away by the fact that these instructions are "the commandments of the Lord." We thus are not at liberty to alter them according to our tastes and feelings:”
I agree with Frank Holes analysis and his recommendations, but perhaps there is hope that some churches may be able turn from the deception & stay together
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