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
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.
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
This is so me! I'm also looking for a small church community to join, i tend to feel like a small fish in a sea in big churches. I'll be checking back here for the suggestions
ReplyDeletewww.cassiedaves.com
The search of this made ma a church hopper... I wasn't exactly satisfied with the disconnect. I went to small and big churches through this phase and I almost gave up.. then someone invited me to a church earlier this year and honestly, its not anything I have experienced before but reading your description... that is what it is.
ReplyDeleteI now go to Heavens citizen Christian centre. its at 7 Olufunmilola Okikiolu Street, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja.
you can check the website though www.hccc.org.ng
Pray you do find what you are looking for :)
Thank for the recommendation Tommie! I'll come this Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThis is my current dilemma...sigh. I moved to a new city and I feel so disconnected in this new church I'm going. In the three Sundays I have gone, not one person has spoken to me. I chose this church because I wanted an "African" setting church. Perhaps, it's time for me to continue searching...
ReplyDeletei typed an extra long comment and it just disappeared :(
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! And I want to read your long comment. Try again maybe?
DeleteThough I'm happier being a little fish in the big sea, I completely understand how you feel, Sabirah and I hope you find a nice church soon.
ReplyDeleteMy home church is a small outstation, but I still miss being a part of the bigger parish (though I've been here for like 8 years). My small church has its disadvantages. Too many announcements and extra things that should not be tolerated but are, because there's no second service. I think the "efficiency" is what I miss the most about my former church, if I could use this word. When the announcements and stuff are almost as long as the proper parts of mass itself, it's VERY annoying.
Hi Sabirah!
ReplyDeleteYou are totally right, that is what church should feel like.
I found it hard when I lived in lagos to get that,, so what a couple of friends and I did was form a prayer group thingy. We would meet every other week or every month and pray/share what we have on our hearts/what is going on with us and I can tell you it MADE all the difference attending a big church.
Even here in NYC attending and serving in a big church, its the connect group that makes it all the worthwhile.
There is nothing like doing life with people who love and serve God with/just like you :)
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ReplyDeleteOh and congratulations! :)
ReplyDelete