Church Quest: Potential Methodist?

The quest for a church home is daunting when a Master of Divinity student. I've seen Elliot, Sam, and other seminarians sweat out what to join. While it is quite early on in my M.Div. education, it plays out in the back of my mind.

I have a somewhat broad (though not incredibly broad) church background: grew up in quite the conservative (some would label "fundamentalist") church; my father's side of the family is mainly Free Methodist, my Mama is quite Salvation Army (which I am technically a member of); I worked with an Assembly of God ministry; emergent-house church; Calvary Chapel; a dash of Pentecostal; and my beloved International Church of Budapest which has everything represented in Protestant-ville.

Through my experience of living overseas and working with 3 different interdenominational ministries, I have come to see the Church Universal (catholic) as God sees it as one. There are many different representations that reflect God's own diversity, and complete seperation and bitter, stupid debates are counter-productive to the Church who "...will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." (Eph. 4:15 NIV).

I have been occasionally going to a rad church near Green Lake, Bethany Community Church, that is quite involved in the community, including artistic and environmental projects. The pastor has amazing insights. He's brilliant. Check out his blog: See what I mean? Really, the only thing that I didn't like was that it had too many people for my taste (what a problem, eh?) and it was slightly out of the area. Many of you know that I like to be strategically located.

Well, a grad school friend and I went to Seattle First United Methodist this past Sunday. Please note that in my previous listing of church body interactions, it mainly consists of low churches. My knowledge of high church is limited, new, and slightly confusing. Well, my friends pointed out that this church wasn't high; I must just be from a very low church background. We entered an old church building with stained glass and a huge ol' pipe organ. most of the congregation were old people. Yet I was amazingly welcomed. "Welcome to Seattle First Methodist: A congregation on the move! There is a place for you here" said Rev. Seegel as we began. Really? For me? I thought to myself. The music wasn't "praise and worship", it was organ and choir. There was a liturgy. Yet it was what I needed. Rev. Dave Gillespie, the head pastor, preached stuff that confirmed what I listened to earlier from the Relevant magazine podcast and my professor. They are deliberately moving to the epicenter of the "none" zone to be among the people who ask "Why church?" (The none zone refers to the concept of how people in the Pacific Northwest are the most likely to select "none" as their religion on applications, esp. in Seattle".

My friend and I discussed afterwards how great of an experience it was. I feel that this may be a potential church body that I can contribute to and that they have things to teach me. I do have a desire to return to my Welseyan Holiness roots. Social Justice is a big deal in that church, and women's voices are heard. It has a touch of liturgy which I have been thirsty for, and it is downtown. (though it moves to the Seattle Center for the next 2 years while the new building is built somewhat near my Grad school in Belltown).

Will this be my new church home? It's early yet, but seems promising. The "denomination" question is too early to ask yet, but also promising.

Bah Humbug and the Immanence of God

Winter break wasn’t eventful. I was one of the few MHGS students who stayed behind. Hey, I’m actually from this area….where would I go? I worked a lot at Seattle’s Best at Pike Place. I was not in the Christmas spirit. Working in a store in downtown Seattle in December involves witnessing a lot of materialism. Santa Claus is their pagan god of materialism. There is no Christ in this Christmas. There is also an emphasis on calling it “holiday” time and not Christmas. Part of me enjoys that…leave Christ out of this debauchery. However, most of this “holiday” décor and junk pushed by the retail pimps have flavorings of that European winter holiday tradition…what is it called…hmmm…

So, Bah humbug, it’s over, thankfully. I spent a lot of time doing introspective work, taking baths, and listening to music. At least after all of that work I became “Barista of the Month” at my store.

On New Year ’s Day I went to St. James Cathedral, which is the area’s catholic cathedral. I originally intended to journal in the building. Upon my arrival, I saw a sign that there would be a mass held in about 45 minutes, so I stayed. I was reminded of the immanence and beauty of God. The cathedral is an edifice that reflects the glory of God in the midst of rugged individualistic Seattle. Check it out here. The baptismal font and Oculus Dei ("eye of God"; a much nicer name than skylight) particularly reached me. I was a mess during the mass. I hope the priest didn’t mind a protestant taking the Eucharist.

My classes started yesterday and I’m glad it’s back. I get to take more theology courses. These classes are much smaller. It’s interesting to finally see who is actually M.Div. I was pleasantly surprised.