Passion

One of the things I was most looking forward to experiencing on this journey was to visit the many different types of churches that are under a Christian umbrella. I want to see how people worship God in their own unique ways within their community and how their beliefs shape their actions, etc. I even somewhat want to go to other faith communities, just for pure curiosity sake. A mosque, or Jewish synagogue- but don't worry...I'm pretty strong in my faith, I'm not going to convert or anything if I go- no matter what they say. Haha....

I liked the churches in LA that I got to experience. Israel Houghton led worship at one church we went to- and that...it was pretty friggin awesome! Oasis Church reminded me of the Rock, and made me homesick. I'm finding out that I really like the worship of this kind of church. We went to Christ Church of the Valley while we were in Cali too and I liked it a lot as well. Really powerful message.

While on the road, we have been to 2 churches so far. We've only been out 3 weeks, but the first week, me and my coworker were both sick and slept in. The second week we went to a large inter-denominational church and I wasn't a fan. During worship, no one sang, raised hands, or engaged in worship in any form. The message didn't challenge me in my walk or faith and I felt like I walked out of there receiving nothing. I'm not saying that people have to raise their hands for worship- or even sing for that matter to worship God- it can be an inner experience- but for the whole congregation? It was WEIRD. Rachel put it like this- It was like a small church was trying to be a megachurch and was falling in the gap.

Our second church though, was the total opposite. We met up with Jake and Todd again in Philly and went to an inner city church called Chosen Generation Worship Center. Driving there, it was a little sketchy- narrow roads through project housing...but whatever. We park along the street and walk in and we are the only 4 white people there. AWESOME. Rach gave me this look like- I can't believe you are making me do this (It was my birthday weekend, so I chose the church again). It turned out to be the BEST church experience so far. It was a smaller church, of maybe 30 or so people. The worship was amazing and passionate. You could tell that these people LOVED Jesus and loved to praise Him. Worship went on for a good long time. The preacher came up and spoke on the mathmatical elements of the cross and absolutely BLEW my mind. He was definitely annointed by God and spoke on His Word, without sugar coating. It was a powerful message and people gave their lives to God after it. The pastor laid hands on those people and prayed over them and even spoke over a womans life about her past and some people in her life she needed to shake. Some people may think thats a bunch of balony, but being there in that space, you could feel the Spirit thick and knew that what was happening was real.
We talked to some people afterwards and told them if we were back in the area we would come back. We are going to be there next weekend :) I'm ridiculously excited to return.I left there going over the message in my mind and was really challenged by it, and even wanting to search the Scriptures about some things the pastor said. But overall, the word passion kept replying in my mind. This congregation was on fire for God and was passionate about it. You could see it, you could feel it, and you were hungry for more of what they had to offer.

Again, its the hardest thing that I am having to deal with being on the road, not being a part of a church community. We go to church on Sunday, but being a part of church is so much more than that. I feel like I'm church shopping and continually critiquing everything I see going on. Thank you college and Bible and Religion degree. And its not something that I can just 'stop' doing. Its engrained in me. I think through the message and how much is Scripturally based rather than "me" based, and where the worship is directed and how the young people interact with the rest of the congregation....among lots of other factors.

And then I read Scripture on my own time that challenges my thinking even more, like when Jesus turned over the moneychangers tables and told the people selling animals for sacrifice in the Temple to leave because the Temple is the House of God, not the marketplace....look at most churches today- how many are selling books, and dvds, and cds, shirts, etc? Have we not turned God's house into a marketplace?

I'm really excited to discover a new church tomorrow. Or synagogue. There is one near where we are at this week. It might be fun. I just want to find passion for God whereever I am. Hopefully some will rub off on me because I feel like I may be losing some of mine.