I had the greatest church experience I’ve had in a long time this last weekend. Know where it was? It wasn’t in any cathedral, sanctuary, or chapel. Nor was it in any amphitheater, auditorium, or high school gym. No, it was sitting in the living room of my family’s cabin up on Camano Island with four good friends from school. We read a devotion, read from the Bible, shared some thoughts, prayed together, and spent some time in silence together. I can honestly say that was one of the most refreshing Sunday morning experiences I’ve had in a very long time.

It’s really kind of sad that in some ways I think we’ve let the structure and familiarity of church get in the way of actually worshiping. Don’t get me wrong, I love the music and the pastors at my ‘home’ church in Seattle, but at the same time, I certainly haven’t experienced the same closeness with God and other believers as I did this Sunday. It’s difficult though to do much different with the institution of Sunday morning church. Changing to a more organic structure will likely cost you parishioners. Lots of people who are church shopping are looking for–or at least thing they are looking for–a church with better music or a bigger youth group for their kids. I think what they are really looking for though is a real and genuine encounter with Christ. And at the risk of going out on a little bit of a limb, I don’t think they are finding it in some of the churches they visit.

I don’t ever want chasing the next God encounter to become like a junky’s search for a new fix. I think we do need to find some kind of routine that grounds our faith. But I don’t want to ever settle just because where I’m at feels good and comfortable. I want and need friends and role models in my life who will challenge me to be more. Sitting in a reclined Lazy Boy on Camano Island praying with my friends this last week made me want to be a better friend and a better follower of Jesus. Does your church make you feel that way?

Filed under: life by Jonathan