Church is a funny thing. I think most people, when presented with the word, would have some sort of image similar to one of the ones above. Maybe that's not exactly how you would picture it, but most would see church as a building I think.
For me, church looks more like this.
Because I've moved to a new area the thoughts of a new church family has been on my mind.
In Huddersfield I had been involved with a number of churches, but of late I've gone through a pretty low time spiritually and my church attendance has been sporadic to say the least. It took some time to think through where I am at. I wasn't sure whether I felt ready to become part of another new group as I was already struggling at times with getting to know all the new people I was already meeting.
After going to a church or two, we seem to have lighted on one where we can both feel at home. It's called The County Church and is a church plant of the NFI group of churches. It meets in a place called Bedlington ... I think of terrier fame ... which is about 6 miles away from Newbiggin. We've been there a couple of times now and have felt very at home and welcomed.
So maybe this will become the group of people that I will become part of. It doesn't have a church building, but meets in people's homes and a community centre when a bigger space is needed.
For the first time in quite a while, I have actually felt as though I wanted to go to church and looked forward to meeting with the people there and, most importantly, with God.
Thank God for that!
Posted by: AndyC | January 15, 2007 at 19:37
See it's advertised in the News Post Leader so there maybe lots more attendees this week.
Posted by: Angela | January 18, 2007 at 19:04
How did your spiritual searching go Liz?
Posted by: Rebecca | January 22, 2007 at 14:34
Church is what you have left when the building's burned down.
Posted by: Tim the Enchanter | January 22, 2007 at 17:22
Our church are currently looking at doing Sunday services differently. last weekend I was invited to join the pastor, his wife and one of the elders at a church in Devon. we flew down, were met by their pastor and given the warmest welcome, treated like honoured guests, fed well and enjoyed gret fellowship during the Sunday service. They had some great ideas, but the church was above all caring and met with each other regularly. A church with choice where building good relationships seems to be more important than how well the PA system works, or howmany times a song should be sung.
definately refreshing and inspiring!
Posted by: claire | January 25, 2007 at 19:02
In the words of my mum (TLB)..."we can't GO to church, we ARE the church". And I love what my dad put too. What I'm finding more and more these days is that people are searching for God in people, not in a building. Understand me? We want to fellowship (yuck, sorry just don't really like that word) with people who just love God.
Posted by: Aaron | February 01, 2007 at 15:01