Week 1-The Search...

I feel like I am starring in my own reality show with this one. I shall call it The Search. Brian and I started out this week to find a church that suits our needs and desires. We both have different things that we look for. I need good music and would love to find a choir to sing in. Brian looks for a teacher that is challenging and intelligent, scholarly. We both are looking for, what we have started calling, The Meat. We need substance. I was raised Pentecostal and Brian has a mixed background starting with Presbyterian and going to Assemblies of God. He and I both have been very open-minded about what the other needs. We have gone to a Presbyterian church, even though there are quite a few (okay a ton)of things that neither of us agrees with about the doctrine. But the pastor is great and he doesn't talk too much about the doctrines from the pulpit. Each time that we have been, however, there has been one thing that has caused me to get on the defensive, whereas for Brian, it makes him grab his Bible and study to find out the basis and attempt to approve or refute that information.

So Sunday we visited a very charismatic nondenominational (but very Pentecostal) church here in town. The Choir was amazing and the Band rivaled Dave Matthews Band. But we never got to The Meat. There were several things about that service that disturbed both Brian and me, especially the 35 minutes of prosperity preaching that preceded the offering. 35 minutes to take an offering? I couldn't believe that there was more time spent on the offering "sermon" then on the worship service. I know that for some people, this is all fine and good, but for us, it was time to go. We left before the preaching even started. When we left, we sat in the car in the parking lot and I cried. I told Brian that I want something insightful that I can take with me into the week, not the hype that makes me feel good for a couple of hours but doesn't spark change. We prayed together in the car that God would lead us to the church that is right for us. I just want to be taught and challenged.

I am all for the church that is excited. I am an emotional person and I have been known to cry my eyes out in a church service. I don't hold back. I just need more than a good feeling. I need more than a preacher that shouts without substance. If your going to shout, do it, but say something that I can take with me through the week or through my life. We know that there is no perfect church. But we also know that when we find where we are supposed to be, we will know it.

So next Sunday, The Search continues...