Church Hunting?

On our second Sunday in Taiwan, we visited a church called The Aroma. 

As we settle down in TW, we want to find a faith community to grow in. But just like being in any new area, it can feel a bit overwhelming looking for a church, not really sure where to begin. Knowing we had to start somewhere, we decided to just go to a church that someone we know recommended. This church can hold about 80 people in a cozy little café on the 11^th floor, functioning as a café and co-working/co-creating space during the weekdays and church/outreach on the weekends. 

As we exited the elevator, entering the café space, we were immediately met with a friendly face welcoming us to the church. She looked genuinely glad that we were there, by which I was touched.

It was five minutes before the start of the service, many were still gathered around tables chatting and laughing over crumbs leftover from breakfast. Groups of people were mingling across the space, catching up after a week-full of events. Unsure whether to sit in the breakfast area or head straight into the worship hall, we headed for the seemingly less intimidating space - the worship hall. I felt a little awkward and out of place, not sure who to talk to.

Before we could sit down, the pastor approached us, shaking our hands, introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Chris. Is this your first time visiting?”

In a place of unfamiliarity and unknown faces, I felt seen, I felt welcome. I felt a genuine care for our presence.

As the service time approached, the pastor gently shepherded the flock into the worship hall by praising their love for fellowship as well as reminding them the time to start service.

Service began. We sang (bilingually), we worshipped, we shared stories with neighboring new friends, we listened. We listened for God’s presence and listened to God’s message. We felt the Spirit busy at work in and among God's people.

After the service, we talked with people unreservedly as if we’ve known them and they've known us for a long time, then the associate pastor took us around the neighboring streets showing us all the local food favorites even though he had another meeting to attend to. This is a community who preach and live out their value of relationship building in God’s love. A few days later, a couple of people from church reached out to Jeff to hang out, I am grateful for the love of God that reaches out so warmly. Though I’ve only attended this church once, I feel that this is a community I can see myself a part of.

I see new sprouts, new possibilities and a new hope, and I also feel the hurt and pain from the old.

So much happened in the last three years at church, including a lot of messiness and brokenness, am I ready to plunge myself into another community? Especially into a community who values relationships and community building?

Am I ready for another relationship right after leaving an old one?

Or, should I attend a larger church for now where I don’t have to meet new people and form new relationships just yet? 

Do I need to focus more on my relationship with God at the moment, or can I find healing and see God in people and new relationships?

These are questions I am still pondering. If you are reading and willing, I ask for your prayers in discernment and wisdom.

 

Regardless of where Jeff and I plug ourselves in to worship and grow, one thing I am grateful for is knowing God is so real and working faithfully in all kinds of places. God has been so near to us every step of this journey.

Though the church can be a messy and painful place, I believe that it can also be the most beautiful place God can gift us. A place that is held together by God’s love, if practiced and lived rightly, a love that is characterized by commitment, humility, truth-telling, justice, others-seeking, kindness, grace and forgiveness.

The church’s mess does not speak to who God is, rather, it speaks to who we are and our desperate need for God’s love and salvation in a broken world. 

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” -Mark 2:17

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a