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some thoughts on the body

Of Christ, that is. Tonight, I went to a congregational meeting at my new church. People either think it's really weird or really neat that I've already joined the church here. I get a lot of "Really?" with raised eyebrows. Yeah, really. I know I'll be here for a few years, I've got a pretty good idea what I think's important in terms of vision and mission, and I definitely believe in church membership, so yep.

I had some trepidation going in- a number of the congregational meetings I've been to over the last few years have brought unpleasant news and given my tendency to fear and dread things, well... ergo the trepidation. Except somewhere in the back of my mind I know that it's fairly standard practice to have yearly, if not semi-yearly, state of the church congregational meetings. And that is what this was, with a yummy potluck thrown in.

Now, I've met a good-sized handful of folks at church and joined a neighborhood group, so I don't feel particularly disconnected, even though its only been a little over 2 months. Leaving our monthly prayer meeting on Tuesday, I realized "Hey, I had people to talk to and catch up with!" But at the same time, I don't have people who really know me: people I can call and ask to bring me food when I'm feeling lazy, people I can cast myself on the bed with, people who know not to worry when I start laughing hysterically. And I don't really know anyone in that way either.

Sitting, listening to the pastor talk about vision and mission, I started to get really excited. And I realized that despite not really knowing anyone well, I felt really comfortable and at home. Which struck me as kind of odd, particularly as earlier today, I'd been wishing there was someone who really knew me around. I contemplated why and the first thing that crossed my mind was institutional theory (my politics of ed prof would be proud): the whole idea that you can walk into McDonald's in Nashville or in Indonesia and you feel at home because of all the ceremonies and rituals that make it McDonald's. (OK, maybe Chick-fil-A would've been a better choice.) I mean, I've been around a lot of churches, that really could explain it.

But I don't think that was it. Since the feeling came after I was getting excited about the vision and mission of the church, I'm fairly convinced it was because I was sitting there as a part of the body of Christ. No, I don't know these people that well, but we have something deep in common. These people know my Jesus and love my Jesus and they care about the poor and loving their neighbor and bringing God's kingdom to bear in East Nashville. They care about bringing in a better city. (I love Hebrews!) And I am going to be ever so much more at home with these people in that better city one day.

posted by CP @ 9:27 PM 4 thoughts