And maybe that's still my problem. I didn't understand a lot about religion in my growing-up years. My parents attended church at one time but by the time I came along, Sunday mornings were a lovely time to relax with no worries about rushing about, getting on our Sunday-best and in the car in hopes to get the best seat in God's house. (We were trying to get the best seat in my brother's room to watch All-Star Wrestling on the only colour TV in the house!)
That's not to say I haven't been to a church service. Over the years I've attended services for one reason or another but I've just never been a member of a church. I used to consider myself a heathen because in the town I grew up in, when you met someone for the first time, they'd always ask "What church do you belong to?"
I'm Mennonite but it's only by default....and I'm not a very good one at that. I try to be good and caring because that's what God would like to see. Everyone has their own interpretation of religion and when we listen to a sermon, we take with us what we will....and hopefully we leave the service armed with more spiritual information, feeling enlightened and a better person.
So I've been thinking of trying out churches. You know, like we try on clothes or take a car for a test-drive. Every week or two I'll look up the worship hours of a different church and go.
Sounds easy.
I'll blog about my experiences. I've got to set myself some rules to make it an even playing field for every church service I attend. I've decided that I won't judge (because the bible tells me so) and keep an open mind throughout the project. I will try to take note of how happy and relaxed the church-goers are and how engaging the ministers, preachers, fathers, rabbi's or whatever, are with the congregation,. I'm hoping to strike up a conversation or two with members to get more inside info without sounding "under-cover".
I'll be sure to get enough sleep the night before. There's nothing like one's fall-asleep-o-meter hitting high digits during a church service. Besides, I'm really bad for yawning.
Do we chose a religion because that's what our parents chose? What other reasons might there be? And why do many of us feel so comfortable with the religion that we grew up with? I have many questions. It's not like shopping, after all.....browsing through Amazon, trying to decide what religion I'd like to try next. Click on one or two and add them to my shopping cart....in case I don't really like the first one I've got another on stand-by.
I wish it were so easy! I'm no expert but practicing your chosen religion is a journey and a process...perhaps even a certain life-style.
I've discussed this unusual idea of church-hopping with a few family members and friends. Some of them get a kick out of it and chalk it up to one of my hair-brained ideas again but others have expressed concern. I got the question regarding what if I become brain-washed? Well, if you see me teetering on the edge of the cuckoo's nest, head to the nearest liquor store, pick up some wine, grab a copy of the Exorcist and come charging through my front door. At that point, I will need saving!
I know...some of you are already reaching for your car keys. I think I'll be okay.
I'm not sure if this project will take me a few months or a year. I'm not going to lie and say this will not be emotional. I can be a bit of a blubber-face when the right heart-strings are plucked but I'm looking forward to it anyway.
I'll be sure to stock up on tissue for my purse.
