Well two minor miracles are taking place this morning—one, I’m actually up before 9 a.m. (usually I’m rolling out of bed by noon on Sundays), and two, I’m going to finally attend the Antioch Orthodox church a few blocks from us. I’ve been curious about the Orthodox Church for a few months—mostly on a peripheral level—and have been hungry for something I feel the modern-day “evangelical” church cannot offer.

Never have I related to U2’s song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” than now. I know that in order to make my life whole and correct my life’s course, God has to be more than just something/someone I think about now and then. But it is hard to keep God in the foreground of my life when I’m at it alone and with little to no active fellowship with other followers of the Christ.

The hindrances that have kept me from being involved in the evangelical circle lately are complex and numerous. I may still have some baggage from my past church experiences, but not all of those hindrances are completely unfounded or invalid. To name one, I’m put off with what “worship” has become in evangelical circles—it’s singing to God to them; and the idea of worship being what you do with your whole life is strangely out of focus to them.

I also can’t stand how programmatic churches have become, almost catering to the suburban lifestyle. Jesus is broken down to interest-based categories and programs and scheduled on certain nights of the week to attract members and newcomers. But finding true fellowship in the midst of programs is often unlikely, as you’re usually there for a reason—the subject matter of that program and not for each other. There is no real community…on all levels, particularly the more intimate levels. And that is especially where the modern-day church loses me.

I need more than a program. I need communion with God and the community on all levels—the larger group, mid-sized groups, small groups, and the one-on-one connection.

So I’m off to go experience the Orthodox Church for the first time. I’m nervous and maybe slightly tense. I’m not sure what I’ll find or how much I’ll even like what I experience, but I’m going to go with an open mind and see where it takes me.

I’ll report more later.

March 4, 2007, 9:38 am

Filed under: Orthodoxy, Spirituality

1 Comment »

1. Jamison said,

   March 4, 2007 @ 10:37 am

   Wow dude. Good job! I’m proud of you! Sometime this week the beer is on me

   Kinda funny. I just couldn’t get myself to go out the door to church this morning. All the stuff that’s been on my mind just weighed me down like you wouldn’t believe. So I spent the morning getting ready for Noah’s b-day party later and cranking U2’s ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ (no joke…). I look forward to what you found.

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