No, I don’t yet have a girlfriend.
No, I haven’t committed wire fraud.
And no, I won’t be moving from Portland anytime soon.
But the title of my post leads to an interesting bit of news that a few people know, and now in order to be courteous and let everyone else know in simple terms what’s going on, I’ll share some brief details.
As fate and faith would both have it, I am on the search for a new church home. My time at New Horizons Church in Washougal, as brief as it was upon my return to Washington state, is over — and so is my involvement with the Church of God of Prophecy at large.
When I first arrived in Southwest Washington, I began re-attending NHC with the vision to check out some other churches in the area and keep an open mind as to where to attend in the future. Part of me was still loyal to COGOP as a whole so I felt it “in my blood,” so to speak, to attend a COGOP congregation.
However, over the past year or two, my faith has continually evolved and grown more than it ever had at any other point in my life. I’ve gone from being hardcore Pentecostal to a more laid-back approach in my faith, all the while still carrying the urgent message of the Gospel. Times have changed, and my style of faith has changed as well. I’m still Christian but I’m ultimately not a Pentecostal in the general usage of the word.
As an example, I grew leaps and bounds spiritually under the teaching of John Pace, pastor of Crimson House Ministries in Springfield, Missouri. He’s more of a teacher than a preacher, which fits my style perfectly. I was able to understand his points more than any other pastor I’ve ever sat under, and naturally I got more from it than if I were to sit in a tent revival. The style at NHC is more akin to a tent revival and I never really meshed well with it from the get-go…the Word being shared is the truth but the style was just not for me.
Hear me out when I say that a simple stylistic difference does not mean the teaching/preaching is not effective. If someone enjoys the flamboyant style of a preacher who gets very excited about what he speaks of and tends to convey it in a very loud fashion, then may God bless that style and those who sit under it. The same goes for the pastor who speaks a bit softer, writes bullet points on a whiteboard and has a very low-key altar call at the end of the service.
Two years ago I departed from NHC but the circumstances were entirely different. I found fault with anyone I could find fault with, and left in a fit of anger and despair over circumstances in my life. Today, circumstances in life are simply circumstances, the people at NHC are great (read: I have no beef with anyone there) and I just need something that fits my style and expression of faith, and ultimately what the Lord is calling me to do in life. I’ll re-affirm here that this decision is my own, about me and what I need from the church experience…and ultimately what I can do for the church in general.
As an added bonus, from a feasibility standpoint, the churches I have been visiting are within two miles of my apartment. How cool is that?
I guess this means no more working COGOP youth retreats and camps, no more creating videos for NHC, and no more COGOP state/regional functions for me. It’ll definitely be different, that’s for sure.
I’ll be around to visit NHC every once in awhile, and I definitely won’t lose touch with anyone. The ONLY thing this means is that you won’t see me there on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays anymore.
I do ask that everyone please keep me in prayer as I venture in a new direction, away from what is familiar. Historically it’s been hard for me to step out in such a manner, but I’ve always been blessed every time I have.
I’ll miss seeing you on Sundays, but more importantly, I’m glad you’re finding a church home where you’ll grow.
Thanks Dan, I appreciate it! We’ll still have to get together sometime.
This is good man! When I went to Hope Community, I was like, “Um, this isn’t COGOP.” And what’s more, it didn’t bother me. Then I got linked into this awesome body of believers who share my faith in being a down-to-earth christian, who struggles with down to earth things. God has blessed me so much ever since going there. Like Mark Driscoll say, “Find a church you like, become a member, submit to its teachings and get linked into the body! It doesn’t have to be this church, as long as you are going to A church.”
Awesome, man! I know God will put you right where you need to be. :)
Bud, God is the One to direct us. Not our feelings, our comfort i.e. this is what I’ve always known, what I’ve always done, etc.
Having gone through so much the last 5 years especially this last year has taught me, I need to be connected to God and to a church that wants to be connected with me. Not just once in awhile, but daily living out a partnership with God and His people. We need to reach out to the world but if we aren’t reaching out to our own in within our congregation what’s the point. It’s funny, I wrote on my fb wall a comment. I mentioned that we need to be about relationships, that is what the Father is about. Note, these are my own thoughts, I’m not saying this about NHC at all, just my own musings this a.m. before ever reading your blog.
I know you love the people at NHC, so do I. This is about you finding where the Lord want’s you to be, where you can receive the Word, where you can connect and develop relationships, where you can minister and allow His gifts to flow freely through you. We all need to find a church where we fit.
I appreciate how lovingly and carefully you wrote, so as not to cause offense, but to speak from your heart in love. The Word tells us to live peaceable as much as we can with all men and to me this post did just that.
Mom–
I understand where you’re coming from. The NHC people themselves will even tell you that my attitude regarding the church is completely and totally different than two years ago — I’ve been doing my best to be an encouragement to others in the Lord and others there have been doing the same for me.
It definitely is about finding where the Lord wants me to be, more than it could ever be about my personal comfort level. Like I said the times I have been most blessed in my life were times when the Lord directed me to step out and make a bold move in faith. This is one of those times.
I have nothing but love for everyone at NHC and I do indeed hope this post conveyed my heart on the issue in a proper and thoughtful manner.
Chris,
Always remember that what’s more important than finding a place or congregation you are comfortable with – it is about finding the “truth”. The Holy Spirit will guide you to where yo uneed to be.
These days it seems so many people have turned churches into a social network rather than understanding that the foundation and the primary reason for attending “ANY” church is to be where the truth is being taught. I have been amazed at how many people do not know all of what their church teaches and some are willing to compromise if they don’t agree with all the teachings just because they enjoy the atmosphere and the congregation. This is not what our Savior gave his life for. He wants us to study the Word of God until we find the truth and it just may end up being at a church that doesn’t have bingo night or serve Krispy Kremes on Sunday morning.
You have such a wonderful spirit Chris and a brilliant mind. I have no doubt you will find your way.