I needed a break from the Baptists so after Sunday School MP and I snuck away and raced back to town to try out a small independent church. We were about 15 minutes late so I was hoping to sneak in and sit in the back unnoticed. Fat chance. The church is one room, about forty feet wide and 75 feet long. There were about 25 people in it, so our stealthy entrance didn't go as planned. Two things struck me immediately; it was all women and the music was about 130 dB's. Up front were five women with electric guitars blasting out this rolling rumble that was reminiscent of Phil Spectre's "Wall of Sound". For one brief second I thought perhaps I walked into a lesbo church. It was the Goo Goo Doll's jamming with K.D. Lang and Melissa Estridge. A male usher greeted me and then I did notice a male drummer and and a few other men in the pews. The mega-bass was shaking the pews and I realized why the last three rows were filled with the faithful. After about 25 minutes of straight singing we had about a 10 minute meet and greet time. This was what I was hoping to avoid, but obviously this congregation didn't hold to the usual church schedule. The people were really nice, and I tried to be sociable and chat but my ears were still ringing. I kept thinking to myself "MP is going to kill me". I was repeating to myself "God brought you here".
God did bring me there because the preacher gave the greatest message from Galatians 5 that I ever heard. They invited us to stay for coffee and cake but we were off to our former church to crash a party for their new pastor. We mainly went just to see old friends we miss so much. It was the trifecta of worship; Baptists, Independents and Nazarenes. I doubt I could attend this independent church. I would need to get ear plugs. I also noticed that the church had no fire exit, and the front doors opened inwards. It must have been built before code. At least they had nice large windows. Maybe I'll sneak back there once in awhile. It was real.
5 comments:
I propose you go on a church tour because the reviews are worth it. :) M-
*wow* Sounds similar in noise and building dimensions to a church out here in Xenia - AHOP [A House of Prayer].
I was nice enough not to sign the visitors roll and leave them CP's phone number. I expect a visit from the new Nazarene Pastor. He is Hispanic; which MP said is because "there are jobs that Americans just won't do". I would like to get tapes of the sermons from the independent church, but how do I do that? I'll have CP call and inquire; "my husband is a shut in, he's deaf".
I agree, Mary:-)
CP is hilarious! "some jobs that Americans just won't do!" ha ha ha.
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