I went to church yesterday; for the first time in a couple years I think. It was a small church outside Boise, Idaho called Center Point.
It was nice. They meet in a high school gym. About 100 people attend. The service only lasted an hour. (I'm a big believer in Less is More.) The folks were friendly and unpretentious. Most people wore shorts or jeans. The woman sitting next to me was still in her pajamas. The worship service was traditional. It was basically a soft-rock band singing soft-rock Christian songs. I haven't been to church regularly in years, so I didn't recognize any of the songs. And yet, I still knew every song, if you know what I mean. The sermon was traditional. I don't really remember what the speaker said, but I do remember he made a very funny joke about smoking a crack pipe. They passed the bucket, but it was short and sweet. No long guilt trip about giving. They had new people raise their hand. Which I had to do, because there's only a 100 people and it would have been more awkward if I didn't raise my hand. After receiving the visitors card, I made a small joke to my friend about how I was going to fill it out and ask for drug & alcohol counseling. My friend didn't laugh. Which, you know. Typical. All in all, it was quite nice. It felt formulaic, but the people felt real. No one was trying to impress anyone with their lavish lifestyle or impress the pastor with their super dedication to church.
I honestly can't remember the last time I attended church. It's been at least two years. And while this one time didn't change my mind, I did kind of understand the attraction. There is definitely a sense of community in church, that you don't get sitting at home watching reruns of Jersey Shore on a Sunday Morning. I won't be going back to church anytime soon, but hopefully I don't wait two years. It's not all bad.
I love the fact that you put this in the “How I Roll” category. I look forward to future entries in this section.
So you weren’t tempted to try out our former church, Church of Questionable Conduct, which is also in Meridian? You’ve heard so much about it on the blog!
How long were you here in Boise and what do you think of our quaint city? (Just being nosey)
I didn’t know that the Center Point church exists here in Boise so I had to check out the link. But what do I know, I’m not going to church much anymore myself. They look like nice people though and I wish them well. Looks like they actually use photos of the real ppl going there on their website.
I agree, there is a draw for church and I can see why ppl want and need it. I’m not needing it much anymore, or at least right now, but that’s just what’s going on with me. Not that I don’t need hanging out with others of like faith which I am fortunate to get to do. Where any two are gathered right?
I had a most liberating thought today – Just bcz something is working for me in my life doesn’t give me the right to presume it will work for someone else. I just wish the church culture would adopt that mentality and not view those of us who drop out of church as ‘backslidden’ or unforgiving. Like can’t they just say “That’s just how they roll” and be done with it? But oh well, that’s their prob if they think that way, right? And since I’m not in church, I don’t really have to deal with their judgmentalness (unless I run into them at the grocery store or the blog(s)…)
I was there for work, Detox. And I stayed a couple extra days to visit a friend.
And totally agree that if something works for you, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for someone else. But it’s something I have to remind myself of constantly.