A case for church attendance - September 25, 2015

I woke up repeatedly last night, trying to think of what I might say in this promised post. I had hoped I would come to a compelling insight as to why young people, and others, might want to attend church. I was able to dispute every assertion, even half-awake. But I promised  I would try, so here goes

I am writing from a Christian perspective. If you have another live tradition in your life - one  that attracts you or that you practice - this post may not be for you. It might sound like I'm telling you why you should play piano instead of violin. I say stick to  the instrument that you know. But if you are currently playing no instrument, or if you are looking for a new one, here's why I think you might want to try church:

1. Church is the only place I know where people gather regularly to think honestly about the meaning and purpose of their lives. And I think that is a very good thing to do. Yes, it's possible to do it alone on the beach  - and I hope you do - or reading a book, or talking with a friend. But church is a regular place to do it. It's a discipline that takes place in a 

2. community. Community is important.  I know you have friends. You may even  have a community. But unless you are involved in something like church, you don't have a community of thoughtful people regularly available to consider what is the meaning and purpose of life from the perspective of

3. a tried and true tradition. We  aren't the first people to think about these questions. Wisdom has been passed down for generations, constituting a living tradition. The  tradition doesn't necessarily have all the answers, but it knows all the questions, and it knows some answers or practices that generations of people have found helpful.We are foolish to think that we can, or must, reinvent the wheel.

4. But, I fully acknowledge, some church traditions are not for me. I have found churches where I could stay for awhile, find something useful maybe, but soon ran up against ideas that I could not abide. That is why it is important to

5. give a few churches a chance. If you really don't relate to what is going on, try another one. Stay where you feel a connection - to the people, the place, the leader, - whatever connection you feel. And then

6. ask questions. As a chaplain and a teacher, I most enjoyed conversations where students asked me hard questions. Don't be afraid to approach the pastor, or whoever is  in leadership, and say, "I'd like to talk with you. Can we meet sometime?"

7. Finally, if your journey takes you to a Christian church, you must, if you haven't, read the Bible. Not the whole thing, at once, but something. I suggest starting with the gospel of Mark, the shortest one, which you can read entirely in  an hour, easily. There is no reason for you to be in a Christian  church unless you find Jesus interesting. That's all, at the start. Just interesting. 

Now. I know that I have not convinced you , but I hope I have at least made a plausible case as to why you might want to attend church - why it might be worth your time, why it might become truly important. Let me know if anything I have said resonates - or if it doesn't, tell me why. Please.