I was listening to a song that just took me back to two years ago...
I was in California, it was before I identified as Christian I think. Anyway it was a Sunday and I wanted to go to a church, so I googled something in the area. I found one that seemed nice, got dressed and headed out.
Due to my misinterpretation of the bus schedules on Sunday I ended up walking 45mins to get there, I was tired and exhausted.
Once I entered, I found a row in the back and joined the worship, it was a small church and the congregation was mostly white and Asian but the service was enjoyable. They performed this song that has stayed with me since then.
At the end of the service, as I began to leave someone came to talk to me and before I knew it I was being invited to lunch by the pastor and his wife and some other church folk.
I had such a nice afternoon with them, we just talked about all sort of random things, not the kind of conversation you expect to have with "Church people". I was fed and encouraged to pack take away (hahaha who was I to say no?) and then I got a ride home from another church member.
The day left me with such a nice feeling, like, isn't this what church should feel like?
Fast forward to today, I came back from church with my mum a couple of hours ago. It's a big pentecostal church with 4 services everyday. I enjoyed the worship and the sermon was ok but I'm beginning to feel a disconnect. I don't know if "big church will ever be for me. I guess that's what fellowship groups are for though...
Do all churches have to grow (in size)? I understand that sometimes it just happens, congregations get bigger, churches move to bigger spaces, hire more pastors. But are there churches that stay small on purpose, that worship intimately and build a community based on love? That's what I'm looking for, somewhere I can be a part of...
If this sounds like your church and you live in Lagos, please invite me :)
Happy Sunday, and have a great week ahead!
Love always,
Sabirah
