I went to church this morning looking forward to spending some time worshiping God and hearing a meaningful message. Instead, my church has changed yet another thing. Let me back up a bit here. I started going to this church about 3 years ago. I checked it out and loved the way that things were done. It is a Bible-based church, which was a definite must. I was raised as a Methodist, but that church just doesn't seem to draw my attention to God now. This new one is an evangelical covenant church. A little over a year ago things started to change and, in my opinion, not in a good way. The minister took a 3 month sabbatical. During that time, he was offered a different job. Not long after our music director quit. Then a couple of months ago we lost another of the pastors. (We had 3.) The church had already started looking for a new lead pastor. The search took most of the year. I waited hoping the new lead pastor would be a fresh new aspect, infusing new life into the church. He started in January. Each week has seemed more and more disappointing to me. The messages have been okay, but not anything really convicting. Maybe that is just my own apathy coming through. The truly disturbing part is that each service begins with a type of banter with a female person (not really sure who she is or her role in the church exactly) which seems a little too "game show banter-ish" for me (picture Pat & Vanna talking about minor church issues). Okay, so the new pastor IS from California. Maybe they do things differently there. The next 15 minutes are spent telling us why we should "give sacrificially" because the church needs more staff & more room & more & more & more. Really?? So we moved from "game show" to "info-mercial". Then we have had at least 5 or 6 "guest" music leaders since January. They play the music loud and fast. Its Christian Rock. Would I hear God when He does have something to say? Today, we couldn't go into the church until the band finished whatever it is that they do before service. They "couldn't seat" me until the band gave the "thumbs up". It is feeling more and more like a rock concert. So service is "game show" > "info-mercial" > "rock concert"...then a short time for the actual message. I wouldn't be surprised if they started selling tickets soon. That would cover the music and the need to collect money!
In case you are still wondering, yes, I am looking for a different church home. It doesn't have to be all "old hymn" style. I like some of the rock music, but it would be nice to have a balance of the two. I feel a little sad at the way worship seems to be changing.
Now I have had my say and that will be it from me. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I just needed an outlet for my disappointment.
