And on and on and on

The more things change, the more the past comes up behind you and pats ya on the back.

I went to Anacortes last weekend (and by "weekend", those that know me realize I mean "Sunday only) to take part in our little version of a Quaker mecca. We gather 'round, catch up, and remember stories of what used to be. Then we brush off what little "skills" we have and perform for each other.

Mine was not as good as I wanted it to be. There was a little Alfred Hitchcock homage which I thought was rather inspired... but as for the rest? Eh, could have been better. Our version of the Sound of Music family was of course delightful in their orchestrations. 3 different ones. A force to be reckoned with, that family.

But by going back and visiting old friends, I found someone who wants to go to my "new"er church. So from my old church I have a friend who soon becomes my new friend at my new church. Quakers don't really die off, they just come back for another round. (So long as they stay the same high-quality people, I like it just fine.)

The Changes That Fall Brings

Yes, I know. It's been a while. (I'm actually mildly shocked that my Dad has yet to e-mail/message/Facebook me about my lack of information) What can I say, my search has settled and I've been using my free time at work to watch tv shows that I fell asleep too early to watch. Ya gotta love streaming videos (with less commercials!).

My main area of uncertainity used to be how many more churches I was going to cruise through. For the time being? The answer is zilch. Look, because the twisty road from A to B, it takes me about 40 minutes to get to Quest. If I choose to go to NSFC after that, then we're adding on another two hours. I think 4 hours of God time is a reasonable chunk out of one's morning. And that comes with certainty. I want to keep going to Quest, have time to pop in at NSFC... and adding a 3rd church? A fill in the blank visit church here and there? Uh, no. Don't have the energy. Besides, I've got my food in the door, people are friendly enough, why should I have to extend the effort to yet another church?

The real reason? I'm lazy. The other real reason? As I've argued before, if you start chatting with a cute girl and she wants to go out with you, thinks you're worth her time; ya don't go and start chatting up some other girl that same night! I'm not greedy. I've got two churches that work for me. That's fine. I might eek out here and there to explore other possibilities, but I was never much for the "because it's there!" sense of exploration. Not my thing. I'm content, I like content, content is better than where I was 2-3 months ago.

In addition, I have a new pastor to get used to. I'll admit to a small amount of concern when I started attending. First off, there's the whole introducing myself to a group of people who are complete strangers to me. But the pastor wasn't even in attendance! The main poo-bah was on sabbatical! How'm I supposed to get a feel for folks if their guy ain't around to chat with? Well, problem solved. He returned last Sunday.

Now, oddly enough, his name popped up on my Facebook on Saturday. Some of my favorite people (and solid Christians in their own right) are already friends with him. I had seen his name pop up before, but didn't realize he was pastor of -that- church. That was comforting when I put two and two together. Then I heard him speak on Sunday. He's quite relatable for me. Recovering extreme-introvert. Nerdy. Has to take breaks from e-mail/technology. And is on Facebook. (As evidenced by the fact that he friended me about two hours after I first e-mailed him. But one wonders about the sincerity of some with over fourteen hundred friends. Sheesh! Still, nice to have a well-liked pastor) ;)

Starting this next week? C-Groups. Yes, in their desire to fit in with Seattle culture around them, they took a perfectly good word, community, and shortened it to make it cooler. (To be fair, I knew going to their church that they run the Q-Cafe... so it isn't like I went into this unknowingly) They acknowledge that it is hard to get to know people, so they have groups that meet during the week at people's homes. I signed up for two. One in Queen Anne, and one for newbies. We'll see how it all goes. (Already it's easier and cheaper than -shudder- Equally Yoked. There's a way -not- to meet people. Yikes. Topic for another time...)

Clearly I'm alive. Enjoying church(es). Trying new things. Just in my own, timid, baby-step kinda way. ;) (Bring a camera to my IMAX movies, then you'll see me non-timid)

...and a response

Apparently I'm in the clear. ;)

"Thank you for your questions, and for your honest and forthright manner. For us, it is not a requirement for those who attend Quest to take communion. It sounds like you have an understanding of what communion is all about, and that you choose to celebrate it in a manner authentic to your faith roots does not pose a problem for us. Obviously, we have differing points of view on some of these matters, but we can certainly still enjoy worship and fellowship together. We serve the same God, after all. :)"

So now the question becomes, do I really still want to church search? I mean, if you find a cute girl who agrees to go out with ya, do you spend the rest of your night looking for another one that you might like better? If you find a great beer at the pub, do you keep ordering different stuff, or do you stick with what ya like? (Yes. I just mentioned alcohol in a church-y blog. I'm reaching out to the common man in their vernacular! Deal with it.)

Yeah, there are two other churches on my "list". But how much do I really care about finding a new apartment to live in when the place I just checked out is welcoming in a new tenant with open arms?

But still... if I don't church surf now... then when?

"Too many questions... there's just too many questions!" -Riddler, Batman Forever

Home again. And visiting that second home?

Labor Day weekend? Over. Summertime? Basically kaput. (This is the Seattle neighborhood. After the 2nd of September, you just expect some rain and see what happens. Sun is a bonus.) But the church hunt goes on! Well... I'm not sure "hunt" is the word I'd use this week.

I want to keep trying Quest. It's the first church I "visited", the first church whose website clicked with me (pun intended), and the fact that they are willing to focus on homeless and social justice? When the rest of world wants to ignore "bums" and go to war... well, let's just say we agree on many topics.

Plus, my "first" speaker was back. I like this Leah person. She'll admit that she's not perfect, while in the same speech, harass us for not sitting in the first two rows. Blessed with intelligence and a verbage that works for me. Music wasn't as great as a few weeks ago, but it still worked for me. The sermon was telling us how we shouldn't be forming little whispering groups, discussing "what do you think about what this person did?" No, if we have a problem, we should actually go and -talk- to people about what we see. Communication! Growing a spine! Two things I'm quite fond of. ;) Misunderstandings bug me. Now I just have to get off my butt and find out how much they care about me "shunning" communion. ;) Gotta practice what was preached, I suppose...

And since I went to the 9:15 meeting, that meant I had plenty of time to make the 11 at North Seattle Friends. Y'know, check in on the home front, catch those who hadn't been at camp the previous weekend, etc. Besides, I still like my church, darnit! I was headed up to my usual spot in the soundbooth (Look, I can sit up still and prooper in one service. But if I'm gong to two services, there's gonna be some slouching in that second one. I'm only so mighty.), Lorraine caught me and gave that non-verbal gesture/look that she had a litlte speech/explanation for me. I got comfy. Short version? She'd forgotten to ask for people to take offering, which I used to do, so while the last-minute selectees were coming forward, she informed those that didn't already know that I was on a search for the love of my life. Not how I'd like it all to go, but it is what it is and that's how it is. I'm flexible.

Regardless, she expressed a desire to have me come in front of the church and tell people what was going on so I didn't pull a vanshing Philip act. (Personally? I like vanishing Philip. Anyone who has visited with me will tell ya that I exit without saying anything. I don't see a need make a big entrance or exit. I draw enough attention already, I don't need more everytime I go from A to B. What you call "rude", I call... um... humble? Maybe it's just my introvert side.) I don't get asked to speak about myself in front of church, and I honestly have no fear of crowds, so I told her whatever she wanted to do was fine.

Since it is my church, and this is my blog, I shall summarize the speech in the under used, valley-girl dialect.


L- "So, I like, found Philip... who was out... like, I dunno... shopping maybe? Getting some totally gnarly threads?"

Me- "Totally. Did you see the shine on these boots? Aren't they like, totally awesome?!"

L- "To-tal-ly. Anyways, so there's been like, I don't know... a month? And like, before then, Philip was all like, 'Dudette. Lorraine. I'm like, totally bumming. There're like, I mean, nobody cool to hang with! I'm like, crushing for a posse to go hittin' it with, and like, there're like, no peeps anywhere! I'm so totally bumming! Like, foreves, y'knnow?"

Me- "That is -so- not how I phrased it"

L- "Whatevah! So like, Phil has been out on his own? Y'know, like, searching and looking and... y'know, like, not being here! And he's like, not hating on us, c'mon... I know that's so totally what you guys were thinking. But he's totallly awesome. And he wants others who are totally awesome too! Then he might like, bring those killer dudes back to us killer dudes, and we could be like... so -totally- awesome killer dudes!"

Me- "To-tal-ly. Fer sure."


Ahem. The only thing that really set my ears on edge (and caused a cringe, I'll admit) was that she stated that I was searching for my beloved. :

A: Never in my life have I uttered the phrase, "I am out to find my beloved." Ever. Beloved? Really? You don't think I could come up with a better word than that? Fellow flannel fan. Co-comics cohort. The shoelaces to my sneakers. The remote to my tv. Someone to keep me in check. But beloved? Come now.

B: I sort of put up my shields because it's about more than being single or attached. Would I
like to be single? Well, that depends. Am I going to call off this church quest just because I find there are no females I find attractive? Nope. Friends too! Don't discount the value of having females sure, but friends are still important! I have very few Christian friends. Especially in this area. I could use more! Like... y'know... more than 3. I'm just sayin'.

Let's just say that I was mildly taken aback that it was apparently me on some colonial wife-search. But again, I'm sure my paranoia was activated, what with "defending my actions" in front of the church. ;) Besides, all I had to do was tell them I was doing fine, say maybe three sentences, and go back to my booth to hide.

Oh, and I avoided the crowd of people around me. Ick. Look, I'm a hugger. I'm all for hugging. But a crowd up people all smothering you? That massive crowd that loses pretty much all intimacy? yeah, that's not me. You want to talk to me? Talk to me. The end. You want to pray for me? Go for it. But a big blob of people doesn't comfort me. It makes me feel like I'm one joker away from a bad game of pigpile. And I'd be the pig. Happily Lorraine asked about that beforehand, and I told her I don't do that sort of group activity, given the option. :)

Next week? I dunno. I want to go back to Quest, but I drove by a Greenlake church that seemed to have my demographic going into it, and I keep telling myself I'll go to Bothell Foursquare, even though it seems like the most impersonal of all churches on my mental list. No wonder I keep putting it off... ;)

The Visitor to Another World (The Quest for Mars?)

Week two, and I still decided to try out two services in one day. Maybe I figure the sooner I figure this out, the better off I'll be? Still, one service started @ 9, and the second @ 11, and they were both in Ballard. Not much for time "chatting with the elders", but I don't think I'd ever really do that on a first impression trip. If I'm intrigued, I'll come back. They'll get their shot!

First up on the 9am docket was Mars Hill. Now, I like myself the "smaller" services. I grew up in a church of 40-100 people, depending on the time. Churches like Mars Hill can seat that in one section. I know everybody in my church, and they know me (or so I let them think! ;) Heh.) My interest in this church wasn't really in any sort of membership interest. I'd talked to a friend who'd done an article on their sound. Then there was a coworker who regularly attends.

I was there about 15 minutes early and sat down, looking at all these little chairs around me. (Apparently mine is the only church that stew uses pews). A nice enough lady came by and asked me how I was doing, but once I responded with a cheery, "fine, thanks!", she was already on her way to the next group. A nice gesture, certainly. And while I understand you've gotta make the rounds, it seemed like quite the surface salutation. I do the same every day I work the coffee shop, so my grounds for picking on her are pretty thin. I should mention that the church did not feel like one. Building-wise, at least. Not even an angled roof, this building was located between the docks and the business district. Complete with a grey, square perimeter. Someone knew what they were doing because they put curtains up to bounce the sound around. Communion tables were placed around the room, but the most noticeable items were 3 LCD projectors, lighting up a main screen behind the podium; along with two screens on the sides at about 20 degree angles. Later on I would discover that the walls were lit with different colored gels. More on that...

I'll give 'em this, they know how to put on a show. Everything in that room was very presentation oriented. I'll be honest, it felt like I was at a Microsoft retreat, and we were all about to syngerize our efforts towards the implementation of new and exciting corporate policies. : Not my idea of church. But I told myself if this is how they get people's attention, that's fine. A man walked out and immediately his image was picked up by the camera which was non-discreetly located in the middle of one of the aisles. He had on his black shirt and jeans, then he and his band started rocking out to G-O-D. (It's a SAVED! reference, don't worry about it) The music was loud, but heartfelt. I enjoyed it, I wouldn't change that radio station.

After about 3 songs, another man came out and took his spot at the podium. When asked how we were doing, he received cheers and cat calls. ??? Yeah, not my usual greeting to my pastor, but okay... A congenial enough fellow, he stlll had that edge of "I've done this before, but I'm still workin' on it". He introduced himself as one of the "happy news" pastors, and told us he was probably going to burst that image. He started off preaching on Jonah, talking about how he probably wouldn't qualify for great missionary potential. What with wanting the people he was sent to help to die and suffer... I think we all pretty much agreed on that.

Somewhere in the one hour sermon (about half-an-hour more than I'm used to), he somehow ended up on idolatry. Still not quite sure how he made that leap.... Anyhoo, he went on to tell us that he used to be quite the outdoorsy type. Hiking, climbing, the works. Good ol' REI/NWer. Got into a snow incident, didn't have his gear on him, slid his butt down a cliff/drop. Injured himself, had to have rescue crews pull him out, etc. Now, because he got in an accident after being foolhardy and ditching the tools that would have helped him, he took it as a sign that God was trying to humble him, and that he shouldn't hike anymore. I'm not really a fan of judging what God tells another perosn, or how they hear it, so I figured, "Odd. But o-kaaaaaaaay. I guess."

Let's just say that he and I disagree. I think that God enables everyone to have different interests and passions. That we can use those interests to serve him, and that we can relate to others and become closer to God through those activities and shared interests. That God is happiest when his children are at play. And yes, I see his point. I understand that it is very easy to let something in your life become more important than God. That you can work on Sundays and skip church, that you can care more about your new sports car than reading your bible. I get it. I understand temptation and interests overshadowing God. But I feel like he was telling us that we should be monks 24 hours a day, everyday. That all we should ever do is focus solely on God. I offer, if you do it right? You can take God along with you and see God in your activities and your social life. Go to chuch, read your bible; sure. Be sure to add to that friends, social life, and activities that you feel God has called you to persue. Again, my opinion, I'm not here to say what's right and what ain't. Just what feels truer to my gut for my life.

Of course, he called us to repent. To take communion. To kneel. Nope. Pass. Am I against humbling myself? Well, I don't love it, but I do it. If God wants me humbled, God humbles me (and quickly. And effectively). So unless I feel a churning in my gut to do something, I stay put. No churnings. So no kneeling. Didn't ask for God to forgive me. I asked God to help keep me in check. I felt at peace with that.

The lights on the walls were probably the thing that freaked me out the most. When he was going off about us all being idol worshippers, the lights turned the walls red. !!! Fire and brimstone much? I don't need light cues to see into my soul, thanks. Oh, and all the doors were shut, with no windows. Curtains in front of the doors. There was no "subtle exit." They know how to keep a room. ;)

After that, I figured I'd go for something a bit more relaxing, and I headed up to the 11am service at Quest Church. I was there last Sunday and rather liked it. Wasn't thrilled that they seem to cherish communion so much, but I can not-quibble about one element of a service. Unless of course the pastor throws it into the spotlight.

Sigh. The sermon was supposed to be on Acts. Paul and another apostle are off visiting friends when they are called away to confront some guy who's claiming to be Jesus pt. II. The guy's a magician, and he serves this government guy. The government fellow asks to see the apostles, so of course the magician tags along and raises the apostles ire. They codemn the false one, and the governor is impressed. He wants to hear mroe from the apostles. False men are bad. Follow the true Jesus. That was the sermon I was expecting.

Nope.

I was looking foward to the pastor from the previous week. She was pleasant, funny, and seemed highly intelligent. The pastor that I heard the sermon from this week was a very different person. My only guess is that it is in her presentation style. She's very... hmmm... controlled. She says things with a sort of direction/order tone to them. Like she's trying to instill proper procedures into us, and if we mess up, the power plant will go belly up, and the city will be plunged into darkness. We should cling on to her every word because she is the boss. I like to think it wasn't intentional, but I'm a communications guy. I've taken speech classes. Her presntation style and mine are essentially polar opposites.

First off, let me say that the songs at Quest on Sunday were fantastic. I've never felt the urge to close my eyes and lift my hands, palm out, in front of me before. But I was grooving on the music, and I felt a pull on my thumbs. So I closed my eyes and lifted my hands. Felt good. Felt non-fake/non-planned. The woman who was singing (seemed quite pregnant) had quite the voice on her, and the church sounded fabulous. Big fan of the singing here, even if the techies do stumble with their powerpoints. (Truth be told, on most every song)

Then came the sermon. Somehow my introduction on Acts started off with the four cornerstones of their church. (I can only guess she was addressing newcomers?) She told us the four elements were prayer, worship, communion, and community. 3 out of 4 of those, I got no problem with. The 3rd one I think is voluntary. She clearly disagrees. About 5 minutes was spent telling us how we were there to take communion. How the most important part of us being assembled was to eat the body of Christ, and to drink of his blood. That was what really matters, and, I quote, "that is what this entire service is made around."

Look, I commune with God. I do. Why do you think I like jobs where I can sit around and not talk or have anyone talk to me? I go to that still, small voice, and I listen to what it has to say. In Quaker worship, we have at least 10 minutes of quiet time (okay, if we're in a hurry, it's 5. But we always have it!) where we listen to what God has to say. Pretty much the only way you can break the "rules" is to come in with something to say and feel you have to. Nope. You only say what God gives you to say. If you can feel closer to God by eating food, more power to ya. I won't tell you how to get to God. And yes, I realize he told his apostles to do it. But I figure that can be argued as a one time thing. I take the more mental approach to that closeness, and I spend concentrated time figuring out what I need to hear from God.

Now I'm concerned whether this church will let me be me. That's what I need. I can't fake being something else, and I won't. I like me. If God wants me to change, that's fine. And I'm content not partaking in a part of a worship service. Worship as you're called to. But if you're going to call me a poor Christian because I don't follow sacratments, if I'm attending "for unjust reasons", then you can take your judgemental ways and file it away. I don't need that kind of Christian relatioinship. Again, I like to think that's not what was being said. And the pastor that's supposedly the boss is still on sabbatical. But if I hear what I think I heard, as opposed to what I want to hear, then I'm gone. I don't need that kind of "friendship".
And so the search continues...

A-Questing goes a Quaker

Howdy!

There were numerous churches offered/suggested to me when I started this little search. (And by "little" I mean, "what in the world do I do now?") Suggestions were mentally cataloged, websites were looked up, and my first church to visit was decided upon.

I like the look of Quest's jib.

Check out that website. It's friendly, without dumbing it down. They're God-centered, but not on a high-horse. They emphasize having all sorts of people in their congregation. And, wouldn't you know it, they could use help with their sound/powerpoint. (It's true. Sometimes we'd get through a verse before the next slide was advanced. When it worked, the singing was great. Guitars, piano, a little drum, nice voices. When the slides were off? Confusing, irksome, stress-inducing for someone who's been doing it for 14 years)

The church itself is in Interbay. Right near the golf course between Ballard Bridge and Denny Way. City-located, but not city feeling. I (due to my inability to turn at the right time) was a few minutes late, but so was the service. Not sure if tbey employ greeters or not, but I found a program, found my seat, and they started soon after.

The room just felt nice. Yeah, I'm not a fan of candles, but they only had 2 or 3, so que sera, sera. There was a youthful feel to the room, but not overly trendy. (Y'know, light brown and auburn colors spread around. Offset well by stained glass here and there.)

The speaker? (Leah, that day) She was delightful. Made little side jokes here and there, but mainly impressed me with having a keen intellect. She refused to give a "quick fix" or "checklist" to make us appreciate justice better. (The sermon was on Herod of Agrippa being killed and eaten by worms for not defusing claims that he spoke as a god.) She merely stated that she was human, that sometimes she wanted bad things to happen to bad people. That we should look around and take care of others kindly and justly. If you wrong some one, make amends face to face. Be kind to homeless people and help out with hunger. (Which led into a plug for a garage sale to feed the homeless. But they're actually helping people! Plug away in that sense.)

And I'm not going to lie to you. There were youth there. It was about half youth, half elderly. Some were couples, some were alone (in both groups). And no, I didn't partake in communion. I still believe that as a Quaker I can commune with God all day long, listening to what God has to say, without the symbolism of bread and wine/grapejuice. For me? I'll pass on the symbolism in this instance. I just don't need it.

Oh, and if you look on their website? They have an outdoor ministry! They think you can experience God just by being outside and being surrounded by God's creation. !!!! I just happen to believe that very thing. ;)

Yes, Quest is recommended. Much. I shall return. The 9:15 service was sparse, but there were plenty of people my age, and a crowd was gathering at 10:20 for the 11:00 service. I was impressed all around.

Then I went straight to my church. It was a 10 minute drive away, I had 20 minutes, and I figured I'd help start my journey where the last one had ended.

It was fine. Nothing really struck a chord with me. I ran microphones (was able to fix a high-pitched squeal), ran powerpoint (well, someone had the remote. But I turned it off!), and not much happened. More of the same. And I was tired from my morning/jog/cooking/one service already. I'm not sure I recommend trying to be alert for 3-4 hours of church in a row.

But where to next week?

Toodles

-PC, visitor (a label which takes much getting used to)

What the sam hill? (An intro)

Howdy!

Not too long ago, I found myself sitting in church, wishing there were more people my age. Or even, some. In the span of 20-35, it's pretty much just me as a regular attender. (I'm currently 28. We call that a "barren wasteland" in societal terms.) I e-mailed my pastor, told her I was going on hiatus, and received numerous words of encouragement from my church and family. (Which if you really want, are all available to read in this blog.)

Now that gives you the general idea of what this is all about. But to be more specific?

• It's about a 20's something guy who has no trouble making friends, but is in Seattle, the 2nd-least Christian/religion seeking city (Hey, I could always be in Portland)
• It's about a guy who's been single for quite a while, and has tried numerous methods (eHarmony is just silly, and Equally Yoked? Snicker-enducing.) of meeting Christian poeple.
• It's about different churches, different styles, different buildings, but hopefully the same goal. (I.e, People+church=God time. Care for one another. Jesus is the way to salvation.)
• And of course, it's about the things that go on in those churches that are amusing, silly, fun, inspirational, or just provoke a good yarn.

What can I say, where Church and my curiousity combine; I get Churchiosity. (Soon to be patent pending! Not that anyone else will use that phrase. Ever.)

Toss in some comments, send thoughts my way, recommend some churches, and lemme know what ya think.

Toodles

-PC, really likes typing. Especially on quests where he has absolutely no idea what he's doing