Another New Church

Today I continue to share my journey of finding a new church. I moved away from my home church of over 20 years and have been faced with the difficult task of finding a new church home. On Sunday I attended a new church. My thoughts on my journey are below.

Pulling into the parking of the church (which isn’t a normal church building but a concert event center place) there is a sign with the churches name that says “Church Name Here – For People Who Don’t Like Church!”

When I saw the sign directing me where to park I wondered for a minute if I should turn around. “Shoot this is the church for people who don’t like church…and sometimes I kinda like church…but not all the time…should I turn around?” I thought to myself.

But I continued, parked, and made my way inside the dark event center a few minutes late to find everyone sitting while the worship band was playing a song. I sat down too and looked around the dark room to see no one else singing. It took a few seconds but I figured out the band was playing a Muse song. For all of you Christians stuck in your Christian music bubble, Muse is a good band and NO they aren’t a “Christian” band. The song they were playing is below. And I must say they played it really well…kudos!

The song finished and Mr Hipster Christianity: When Church and Cool Collide I mean the lead pastor came out and welcomed everyone for a minute before the worship team started their set. Now I don’t have a problem with a cool opening song while people are coming in (we used to do it at my youth group a very long time ago) and I happen to think it’s pretty cool. But I am sure there are a few religious Christians who would have their panties in a bunch over it. But I remembered, I am at the “Church For People Who Don’t Like Church” so I am sure people love it here! The Christianise term for this kind of church would be “a seeker church.” Not an offensive or bad word so stop taking it that way!

Looking around the room I saw a lot more blue hairs than I would expect at this kind of church. I mean, this is a hip and youthful church so what are all the blue hairs doing here? This “problem” happens to be a good thing. Blue hairs can equal wisdom which us young and unnatural blue hairs should learn from. Having a good mix of young and old probably means good health in the church.

Anyways, after worship the pastor spoke. The thing I did not like about his message was, he didn’t have any notes to write or an outline to fill in. So maybe 90% of people wouldn’t take notes or fill in an outline sheet anyways so it’s probably a waste of trees and you don’t want to do that in Sonoma County, but maybe I am just a nerd! OK I will admit to being a nerd. But I will also admit that I didn’t start taking notes in church until a few years ago. I generally take them down on the bulletin or in Evernote on my iPhone and then copy them into my nerdy Moleskine Ruled Notebook to have them all in one place. End nerd rant.

The pastor did keep me awake and I enjoyed his speaking. He happened to rip karma and reincarnation a new one which I really enjoyed. I will have to download the podcast and take a few notes on it later this week.

As service ended the song below played through the speakers. Again, another non-Christian band…such sinners here! Please shut up people with too much time!

I’d have to say that my visit was pretty much a positive one. I would feel very comfortable bringing a non-Christian to this church, which is a HUGE something I look for in a church. It’s kinda sad that a lot of times I wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing someone to my home church. I love them and they are getting better.

So is this my new church home? We will see. I have a man date on Wednesday with a leader from the church. Should I be easy or hard on him? Hummm…