Now I know what its like to be a church shopper
Sue and I have been attending worship services at other churches since I left my previous church in July to start Spirit Song. Now I know what its like to be like to be a church shopper.
Since I don't have a congregation (yet) I also don't have the responsibilities of planning weekly worship and preparing sermons. Which, I have to admit, is a nice break. But Sue and I also feel a real need to be in worship. The question we face each week is, where do we go? On one hand this is an opportunity to experience many different kinds of worship, hear many kinds of preaching, and learn all I can from these experiences. On the other hand, it has also helped me understand the subtle temptations that so many families face on Sunday morning.
To be perfectly honest, there have been some Sundays when it has required a real effort to go to another new church. I can see why those who are church shopping say its such an ordeal. It takes a real effort to go to a new church where you don't know anybody, don't know what to expect, and are often let down by the experience.
But for me its always a learning experience. To see how each church welcomes its visitors, how they worship -- the music, the liturgy (or lack of), preaching styles, even the signage (are the bathrooms easy to find?) I've been impressed with what some churches are doing. For others, its learning perhaps what not to do. At the very least I can identify with those who will be visiting Spirit Song in the not too distant future. And I will be doing everything possible to make that first visit as pleasant and as spiritually meaningful as I can.Blessings,Steve