I really love this post, Keturah. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I absolutely love church hopping, but my family (read multiple teenage children) does not. We finally found a church community that felt right and they don’t want to search as we had to for years - they are weary of being the new people. But I long to visit my brethren in different places.
There is definitely truth in what Christiana said above about being attracted to something different from how we were raised. I grew up in a variety of evangelical churches, but I LOVED attending Catholic mass with my cousins now and then. My cousins thought theirs was boring and now, sadly, none of them are practicing. (I’m sure for various reasons of their own.)
I completely agree with you about a large portion of Protestant churches and their sermons with crumbs of Scripture - like small sips of milk. However, I previously attended a Calvary Chapel for twelve years that was mainly scripture and deep expository study of a passage for nearly two hours each service. I’m extremely grateful for those years as I learned how to study the Bible there. Each place I’ve been has had lovely and good things to offer, but also lacked in many ways. I suppose church hopping might bring the most rounded experience overall. Until Paradise.
This is one of my hobbies too! 😄 I really enjoy reading your experiences!! I wish I could find the search bar to find the other ones in the series.
I grew up non-denominational and am now considering becoming a Lutheran (LCMS). I agree with you about how high churches have so much scripture and scriptural truth throughout the entire service (sung, chanted, prayed, read). I also like that they take communion every week instead of once and month (if that). The liturgy, sacrament, and decor are all so beautiful to me. I meet a lot of people who say they grew up in a high church and are happy now they don't have to sit through the "boring" liturgy and ritual. It makes me wonder if most people are attracted to something different from how they were raised. Or maybe we can tend to lose seeing the beauty if something becomes monotonous to us.
Wow I love that you're doing it too! I think you can find them by going to the main page of my blog and searching. I'll private message you a screenshot with instructions.
I've spent the past year church hopping through various Orthodox churches--Russian, Greek, Antiochian, OCA. I've thoroughly enjoyed it, even when I was't too keen on the particular church I happened to be in at the moment. I had one of those moments of being transported to a bygone era when I visited a Russian Orthodox monastery open to the public. It was completely lit by candles and oil lamps. If it wasn't for the modern clothes of the parishioners, it could have passed for medieval Russia. I've found that the Russian churches really hold tight to tradition in a way I didn't see in the Greek and Antiochian churches. Even the OCA church I've come to embrace and attend every Sunday that has Russian roots, though it feels more relaxed in comparison, still retains the aesthetic and many of the traditions of the Russian churches I've been to. It feels like I discovered a real jewel, because, though I like the way the ROCR worship, I get the impression they might be a bit too hardline, too ruled by the "dead letter" of the law. This current church I attend has a healthy adherence to tradition without feeling stuffy. Many of the women in attendance wear head scarves, but they also tend to walk around the church in their bare feet. It's endearing. Though I feel I've gone all in on Orthodox, I still would like to attend a traditional Latin Mass to get the full Catholic experience as well.
I love Orthodox services soooo much. My FAVORITE is a Greek (with a lot of Russian influence) church in Bozeman, MT. However I know what you mean about the Russian churches. Even the Russian Catholic services have a little of what you describe. If you ever can make it to St Louis they have some of the loveliest Catholic churches.
I haven't Church hopped much, but my husband and I have met many wonderful, good friends, the type of friends that almost become family, who are Evangelical. I've learned a lot from them, and seen a lot of beauty in how they love God.
When I moved here, I wasn't sure what to do about church. The last one I attended had about eight people, with a wonderful pastor. We sang hymns a cappella as none of us played piano. I knew I would never have an experience like that again. I just didn't like the idea of church hopping. Seemed rude somehow. I decided to go to the Catholic church. My first husband was Catholic. I knew enough to be comfortable. After a year and a half, I joined. And suddenly the folks that had seen me there felt like I was approachable. It's not perfect, but I'm happy to be there.
Next year I'll be leaving my home again to do a year of study at Bible college and I'll need to find a church to attend. At dinner point I may visit all the churches nearby; not to give myself every option and choose what I like best, but to experience them all.
What you said about communion and going up the the front in long lines, I've never attended mass, but I've experienced that. Last year in the island at the Presbyterian bible college church, that's how they did communion. Far from every week and it seemed somewhat awkward with a very particular way the preacher and elders took part, but the formality is not all bad. The evangelical church I attended in the evenings has a sort of disregard for formality and anything special going on with communion that drives in the opposite direction. My little Sunday morning/lunch time church that meets outdoors has is go up to the front and though it is far from formal, it takes the Lord's Supper seriously.
that will be such a lovely college experience! I think most Bible colleges require students to attend one particular church, which I feel is so sad and isolating. There's something so, so beautiful about coming to realize that we all aren't so different after all even if we have some theological quibbles or differing traditions. It's all based on the same book. It's all bible-based.
This Bible college is inter-denominational, missions focused and there's no specific local church that we must attend. I think finding a stable place instead of just floating around is important, but I don't want to find another place to put down roots. I will miss my home church on Sundays, likely more than I ever did while overseas. There the church community was the same community I was living and working among and I loved them. I was curious to see what other churches were like in that country, but transport was so limited on Sundays and I never got the opportunity.
maybe you could pick a place to attend two or three out four Sundays a month, then attend another church the other one or two Sundays. I would do this when I had a specific church i liked most, but still wished to attend others. Or I’d attend the church I liked most (at 10 or 11am) but then also attend earlier services at 7 or 8am (usually catholic, lutheran, or Anglican). And there’s also churches on Saturday (mostly seventh day Adventists, but also seventh day baptists, seventh day assemblies of God, or a vigil mass to a catholic or Orthodox church is often Saturday evening. There are a lot of ways to have a stable church life while also visiting other places!
I attended one years ago; also I was raised messianic so I've attended many small churches with that vibe. But yes, I would attend both a synagogue and a masque if the opportunity presented. My husband and I are hoping to do so at some point this next year as we are going through town that have both
I’m a convert to Judaism, by way of Catholicism, with much church hopping in between. But I will always cherish my childhood memory of midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The hundreds of candles reflected in the huge stained glass windows, the incense smell mixing with fresh flowers, the reverence of it all. So much to be said for rituals and traditions.
I really love this post, Keturah. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I absolutely love church hopping, but my family (read multiple teenage children) does not. We finally found a church community that felt right and they don’t want to search as we had to for years - they are weary of being the new people. But I long to visit my brethren in different places.
There is definitely truth in what Christiana said above about being attracted to something different from how we were raised. I grew up in a variety of evangelical churches, but I LOVED attending Catholic mass with my cousins now and then. My cousins thought theirs was boring and now, sadly, none of them are practicing. (I’m sure for various reasons of their own.)
I completely agree with you about a large portion of Protestant churches and their sermons with crumbs of Scripture - like small sips of milk. However, I previously attended a Calvary Chapel for twelve years that was mainly scripture and deep expository study of a passage for nearly two hours each service. I’m extremely grateful for those years as I learned how to study the Bible there. Each place I’ve been has had lovely and good things to offer, but also lacked in many ways. I suppose church hopping might bring the most rounded experience overall. Until Paradise.
This is one of my hobbies too! 😄 I really enjoy reading your experiences!! I wish I could find the search bar to find the other ones in the series.
I grew up non-denominational and am now considering becoming a Lutheran (LCMS). I agree with you about how high churches have so much scripture and scriptural truth throughout the entire service (sung, chanted, prayed, read). I also like that they take communion every week instead of once and month (if that). The liturgy, sacrament, and decor are all so beautiful to me. I meet a lot of people who say they grew up in a high church and are happy now they don't have to sit through the "boring" liturgy and ritual. It makes me wonder if most people are attracted to something different from how they were raised. Or maybe we can tend to lose seeing the beauty if something becomes monotonous to us.
Wow I love that you're doing it too! I think you can find them by going to the main page of my blog and searching. I'll private message you a screenshot with instructions.
I've spent the past year church hopping through various Orthodox churches--Russian, Greek, Antiochian, OCA. I've thoroughly enjoyed it, even when I was't too keen on the particular church I happened to be in at the moment. I had one of those moments of being transported to a bygone era when I visited a Russian Orthodox monastery open to the public. It was completely lit by candles and oil lamps. If it wasn't for the modern clothes of the parishioners, it could have passed for medieval Russia. I've found that the Russian churches really hold tight to tradition in a way I didn't see in the Greek and Antiochian churches. Even the OCA church I've come to embrace and attend every Sunday that has Russian roots, though it feels more relaxed in comparison, still retains the aesthetic and many of the traditions of the Russian churches I've been to. It feels like I discovered a real jewel, because, though I like the way the ROCR worship, I get the impression they might be a bit too hardline, too ruled by the "dead letter" of the law. This current church I attend has a healthy adherence to tradition without feeling stuffy. Many of the women in attendance wear head scarves, but they also tend to walk around the church in their bare feet. It's endearing. Though I feel I've gone all in on Orthodox, I still would like to attend a traditional Latin Mass to get the full Catholic experience as well.
I love Orthodox services soooo much. My FAVORITE is a Greek (with a lot of Russian influence) church in Bozeman, MT. However I know what you mean about the Russian churches. Even the Russian Catholic services have a little of what you describe. If you ever can make it to St Louis they have some of the loveliest Catholic churches.
I haven't Church hopped much, but my husband and I have met many wonderful, good friends, the type of friends that almost become family, who are Evangelical. I've learned a lot from them, and seen a lot of beauty in how they love God.
Great stuff. I looked up your living room academy! If I had a girl I would sent her to you !
When I moved here, I wasn't sure what to do about church. The last one I attended had about eight people, with a wonderful pastor. We sang hymns a cappella as none of us played piano. I knew I would never have an experience like that again. I just didn't like the idea of church hopping. Seemed rude somehow. I decided to go to the Catholic church. My first husband was Catholic. I knew enough to be comfortable. After a year and a half, I joined. And suddenly the folks that had seen me there felt like I was approachable. It's not perfect, but I'm happy to be there.
Next year I'll be leaving my home again to do a year of study at Bible college and I'll need to find a church to attend. At dinner point I may visit all the churches nearby; not to give myself every option and choose what I like best, but to experience them all.
What you said about communion and going up the the front in long lines, I've never attended mass, but I've experienced that. Last year in the island at the Presbyterian bible college church, that's how they did communion. Far from every week and it seemed somewhat awkward with a very particular way the preacher and elders took part, but the formality is not all bad. The evangelical church I attended in the evenings has a sort of disregard for formality and anything special going on with communion that drives in the opposite direction. My little Sunday morning/lunch time church that meets outdoors has is go up to the front and though it is far from formal, it takes the Lord's Supper seriously.
that will be such a lovely college experience! I think most Bible colleges require students to attend one particular church, which I feel is so sad and isolating. There's something so, so beautiful about coming to realize that we all aren't so different after all even if we have some theological quibbles or differing traditions. It's all based on the same book. It's all bible-based.
This Bible college is inter-denominational, missions focused and there's no specific local church that we must attend. I think finding a stable place instead of just floating around is important, but I don't want to find another place to put down roots. I will miss my home church on Sundays, likely more than I ever did while overseas. There the church community was the same community I was living and working among and I loved them. I was curious to see what other churches were like in that country, but transport was so limited on Sundays and I never got the opportunity.
maybe you could pick a place to attend two or three out four Sundays a month, then attend another church the other one or two Sundays. I would do this when I had a specific church i liked most, but still wished to attend others. Or I’d attend the church I liked most (at 10 or 11am) but then also attend earlier services at 7 or 8am (usually catholic, lutheran, or Anglican). And there’s also churches on Saturday (mostly seventh day Adventists, but also seventh day baptists, seventh day assemblies of God, or a vigil mass to a catholic or Orthodox church is often Saturday evening. There are a lot of ways to have a stable church life while also visiting other places!
I’m curious if you have, or ever would, attend a Jewish synagogue service.
I attended one years ago; also I was raised messianic so I've attended many small churches with that vibe. But yes, I would attend both a synagogue and a masque if the opportunity presented. My husband and I are hoping to do so at some point this next year as we are going through town that have both
I’m a convert to Judaism, by way of Catholicism, with much church hopping in between. But I will always cherish my childhood memory of midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The hundreds of candles reflected in the huge stained glass windows, the incense smell mixing with fresh flowers, the reverence of it all. So much to be said for rituals and traditions.
I want to hear more about the Quaker hippie Christians !