Ch-ch-ch-changes
Austin and I are looking for a new church. There are several reasons for this.
1. Distance. It is about a 20 minute drive to church one way. This makes it difficult to be too involved in the church, or to attend evening gatherings, when Michael is taken into account. We aren't involved in the community, either, and many of the folks that attend there live nearby, or at least, not this far away (there are exceptions) so it is hard to build relationships.
2. The sermons are repetative. I am well aware that I need reminded to not sin in my anger,but I have heard that particular sermon 4 times and I also need the sermons to challenge me. Lately, they haven't been new or challenging.
3. I have had a real issue with the worship team leader for quite some time. The worship seems to be less about God and the music and more about him instructing us what is the correct way to worship. I find the worship music frequently uninspiring. I do not think he ties the music in with the sermon most of the time, and there are times when I think he should do just that. Not always, mind you, but sometimes I think it would be a good idea, to emphasize the sermon. I don't like to sing the same song two consecutive weeks. Much of the music tends to be out of the vocal range of most of the congregation. Basically, I don't find that he is in touch with the congregation, and his actions frequently seem more theatrical than sincere.
4. I disagree with some of the theology, and while I am able to make the distinction between what I believe and what I don't believe, I have started asking myself, "Is this something I want Michael to grow up learning?" And the answer to some important things, in my mind, is no.
5. I understand that we need to hear about God's wrath, and sin, and how we aren't perfect, and how we fall short of God's glory, and how we need to strive to be closer to God. I realize we as humans are imperfect. It would be nice to hear every now and again, however, some celebration and some good things we can sing a huge "halleluiah" about. I don't need to feel inspired and uplifted every time I go, but I would like to feel it now and again. I seem to have gotten bogged down in the rules and lost a bit of the joy of the message. I would very much like to find that again.
I recognize that my attention has been split for the last 14 months or so, with trying to keep track of Michael and to try to keep him relatively quiet. This does account for part of my issues. But there is just too much, and it isn't just me, Austin has many of the issues I have. So, after this week, (Austin is ushering this week and we do want to honor that commitment), we start looking for a new church.
Guess I better start my list of what I am looking for in a church.