It Keeps Getting Better
I love this church we’ve become a part of. We’ve already met a few folks, and are really settling in. I look forward to each Sunday!
This past weekend, we attended a little evening seminar given by the pastor and his wife called “How to Affair-proof Your Marriage.” Sounds dull, right? Far from it! They basically told everyone that was thinking of coming that it would be a no-holds barred talk about marriage, and that they wouldn’t be recording any of it because it would be really.. well, it was somewhat explicit.
The trap that American Christians have fallen into is this mindset that sex is somehow evil, even in the context of marriage. Most people wouldn’t openly admit it, but it’s the same kind of legalistic thought process that has brought some denominations to denounce alcohol, dancing, and playing cards. The problem with this is that it can then be difficult for couples to really enjoy sex in the context of marriage, because they’ve been raised with this idea that it’s somehow “dirty”.
The “in the context of marriage” thing here is the important part. Everything that was discussed Sunday night, though racier than I’m sure most would imagine being talked about in a church, was all within the context of a healthy marriage. To be perfectly honest, it was great to have some serious, open discussion about topics that might otherwise be taboo in a church environment.
I think that’s just a small example of why this church is different. They aren’t afraid to: a) deal with topics that other churches tend to glaze over, b) admit that we’re human and deal with all aspects of our humanity, c) be candid, and even find humor in stuff that some people take way too seriously. I love that no one has to pretend to be SuperChristian (which is what happens in most churches around here). I can go as I am, and be loved where I am. There are no expectations, and the church is open to all backgrounds while still not wavering on the fundamentals. It’s truly what I believe the church was/is meant to be.