On Changing Churches

It has been quite some time since I posted anything on this blog. I've been dealing with a bit of spiritual stagnation up until the last couple of weeks. That said, I seem to be gaining clarity that I have not possessed in quite a while now.

This week, my wife and I were discussing our current church, which we have been attending for the better part of the five years since we married. It is a great church, filled with wonderful people. We've never had a problem with the church or the people there, though we have never been really involved with the day to day life of the church. As the church is about 30 minutes away, it is difficult to spend as much time being involved as we'd like. Having a toddler to take care of does not make the task easier. Just a few days ago, we announced to each other quite spontaneously that we would like to begin the search for a new church. She would like to be more involved and would like to find a church where she would have more mothers of young children to fellowship with. I'd like a church where I could feel that I am getting fed what I need spiritually. Currently, neither of us feel that our needs are being met.

Finding a church where I feel at home is a difficult task. Most churches that I have checked out are theologically a bit too conservative for me. I am a progressive Christian and fit in better with the emergent church movement than any other Christian movement. I am also quite ecumenical when it comes to my beliefs on other religions as well, which does not go over well with some people. The only church where I have felt totally comfortable to be my authentic self has been a Unitarian Universalist church, roughly 45 minutes from my home. Finding a church that is even close to progressive near my home is almost impossible, considering the spiritual climate of the area. At this point, however, I am no longer willing to supress myself spiritually. I am being called to grow and to help others to grow I have thought about reaching out online to see if there are like-minded people, churched or unchurched, who would consider getting together on a regular basis.

My wife is a bit more traditional Christian in her beliefs, and Unitarian Universalism is not a good fit for her. That said, she is a seminary graduate with a Masters Degree in Theological Studies and can understand where my beliefs and convictions come from, even when she does not always share them.

The spiritual journey is both private and communal, a duality that can be difficult to reconcile. The trick is finding a church that we can both feel comfortable getting involved in. There are good churches in this area, as well as good people in them. The trick is finding a good fit for us and a church that we both feel comfortable nurturing our daughter in. The time for prayerful consideration is now.