As I listened to the pastors and staff speak, I was filled with a sense of confirmation from God that this is the right place at the right time for me in my journey. It's hard to put into words but I felt as if I had found a church in which I could participate and my gifts would be put to good use and I would find a community of Christians who would support and challenge me in my journey.
One of the things that I have been wrestling with about attending this church is that it's a bit of a drive for me. It's 25 miles one way and I was worried about how I would really be able to participate in ministry other than on Sunday mornings. Driving 30-45 minutes (depending on traffic) to church is something that I have never really done before. I know that sounds like an excuse, but I guess I was worried I would be seen by those living in the church's neighborhood as some outsider who simply commutes in for worship and then leaves never to be seen again until the next Sunday. However, as I began to meet the people who were attending the class, I found out that it is truly a regional church. People drive from all over the Cincinnati area to attend this church. I met people from Northern Kentucky, the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, and all parts of Hamilton County in which Cincinnati is located. I spoke with one of the pastors who told me that it takes her about 25 minutes to get to church from where she lives. When I heard this, I knew that I couldn't use travel distance as an excuse any more.
I am most impressed by the church's mission and context for ministry. They have a true heart for the city and are involved in a number of inner city missions throughout Cincinnati. About ten years ago, the church purchased a former Catholic monastery down the street and have developed it into a educational and retreat center. The church also has a global emphasis and have helped to launch new churches in different parts of the world. The church is located in a rather affluent neighborhood in Cincinnati, but they seem to attract people of all backgrounds and socio-economic groups.
The church seems to be in the midst of transition and God is moving in a powerful way in the life of the congregation. A new senior pastor arrived a little over a year ago who is helping them to put into place new systems that will help them to be more effective in all areas of ministry. We heard some about this today at the orientation session.
What surprises me most about my sense of God's leading me to this congregation is that it has very traditional worship services. The church looks like a Gothic cathedral from the outside and on the inside. It is a beautiful building complete with a gigantic pipe organ. They use the full liturgy from the United Methodist Hymnal whenever they celebrate the Sacraments. It's about as high church as you can get in the United Methodist Church. Why this is so ironic is that in my last church in Knoxville, they were far from traditional in worship style. They had a traditional worship but it was not what I would consider high church. I most often attended one of the contemporary services. When I helped to launch the new campus of the church, this service was totally contemporary. So, I find it strange that I am attracted to this very traditional worship service. However, I think the difference is that this is traditional worship done well. I enjoy all kinds of worship styles and the difference for me is the quality of worship. Most churches that I served and have attended in my opinion don't do worship well. This has nothing to do with the vocal range of the choir or how many electric guitars they have in the band. It has everything to do with a pursuit of excellence to honor God in all that they do. In too many churches the preachers, organists, song leaders, ushers, band members, liturgists, and people in the pews do not take worship seriously. They bring a half-hearted attempt at praise to a God Who give us everything. When I left parish ministry, I vowed that I would find a church home that knows what it means to sincerely honor and worship the living God of all creation. I will not settle for okay. I expect the best because God deserves the best.
Most of all, finding this new church home is an answer to prayer for me. I have been hoping that God would lead me to a community in which I can connect with Christians in order to serve the world. I feel like I have found that place. I need people who will pray for me and with me and hold me accountable to the teachings of my Christian faith. I am grateful for this opportunity to connect with this congregation in this way.
So, here I am at this point in my journey not at all where I thought I would be. I'm doing a job that I deeply love. I am living in a wonderful metropolitan region with much to do and enjoy. I have connected with friends from my past who help me to get out and have some fun. I'm about to start a new adventure through the creative writing course I'm taking beginning on Monday evening. I'm blessed to be a part of my nephew Cameron's life. Now, I'm on the verge of settling on a church home. It is truly an amazing crossroads moment for me. God continues to bless me and bring me healing and hope. God is leading me on an amazing journey that fills me with anticipation and expectation for what may be just around the corner. God is so good to me.
If you would like to learn more about my new church home, you can check them out on the church's website: http://www.hydeparkchurch.com/ It's a great church with a great mission.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!
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