Do you consider yourself religious? Spiritual? Or something else? What defines the differences for you? Do you consider these issues frequently – daily, weekly, monthly, rarely, never?
I’ve been a life-long church goer from an early age. I’ve had lapses when I didn’t attend regularly, usually during moves to new places, and major life changes. However, new on campus for my undergraduate studies, I joined a church immediately in my denomination (Congregational-United Church of Christ). Even joined the choir and was an active member of the church community.
After graduation, I found my denomination’s nearest church, joined that and its choir as well. Became very involved there until I entered seminary. After seminary, now married, I began a new career (not church related) and lived in an exciting urban area in a high rise overlooking Lake Michigan. We were unchurched in those days.
A few years later we were expecting our first child and moved to a suburb. Once settled in the new house (an old place with lots of rehab needed!) we looked for a church home to feel more settled in our community. A Presbyterian church was within walking distance and we thought that would be good for the family; eventually the kids could even walk to church activities. Of note: we never walked to church; the kids, too, never walked to that church. I was in the choir, active in church polity and we remained for nearly 20 years.
Once divorced, I remained unchurched for several years, then found a new church home, this time Lutheran (ELCA). Been there 13 years now. No choir but I cantor the early Sunday service. Active in church polity and program development as well.
All in all I have been churched for all of my 75 years with the exception of maybe 8 years added all together.
My theological stance is odd for a once-seminarian. Although raised a Christian, I maintain an open mind on the ‘divinity’ of Jesus. I prefer to think of him as a prophet, not divine. That flies in the face of most denominations, and would have made me a poor minister of any flock. I just couldn’t see myself being honest with the congregation about my doubts about Christ’s divinity. So I left the seminary and sought other avenues of ministry. Music, service and helping others on a personal level became my pastorship. Still is.
Looking back on this passage of time, church, spirituality and religion have played a strong part of my life. It just has. A natural interest. But there is more, and I suspect for most of us, too.
Questioning the reason for life – Why are we here? – is the primary reason for my life-long quest. Many years later I realized I was on a faith journey – what did I believe, and how central was it to my life? I learned the journey is life-long, takes many twists and turns, and is fueled by question and curiosity.
Over the years I have become comfortable in my own skin. That hasn’t been easy. And the job is not done. It is life-long in my opinion. It takes each day to come to turns with my own existence and what I’m going to do with it. Does this make me religious? I don’t think so. Spiritual, yes; definitely that.
As I ponder the role of religion in today’s world, I realize the same questions I’ve struggled with are the same for each person. Some are able to ignore such questions. I suspect they do so with consequences down the road. Each of us mere mortals have to come to terms with life and the absence of it, and the absence of us from it. It is an immutable mystery that causes feeling, fear, thinking and yes, joy.
More on this later. I just thought some might wish to think on this today. I’m anxious to share more on this topic soon. Meanwhile, smile and greet this day with gusto!
March 8, 2019
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