Why Church?

We needn’t “convert” people who are happy in their lived experience.  I do think, however, that many people reject the idea of church based on their personal experiences of church.  There are many reasons that this is healthy for folks, but I see many of my friends reaching out for spiritual practices completely other than “Christian” because they perceive “Christianity” to be a particular thing that is completely unlike the way that I practice my Christianity.  These friends often hold onto more “conservative” or “traditional” understandings of God than I do, yet feel that church cannot possibly encompass their “heresy” or be anything other than a money-grubbing harbor for pedophiles.  These perceptions are certainly earned, but I want to re-brand, in a sense, what Christianity, church, and religion can be.  I want people to know that they can be welcomed and embraced in a church environment and that church needn’t be synonymous with dry ritual and/or dogmatic theologies that are at odds with modern science and lived experience.  I find joy in my worship experience and I want to spread it.  In that sense, I “advertise” my faith.  One might call it conversion, but I hope it is invitation more so.  I want people to come to my church because I think it is a wonderful place; I don’t, however, think anyone’s rejection or disinterest in my church is problematic.  We all have different paths.