Searching for a pastor has renewed my excitement for the journey
Our church has been searching for a more permanent minister,and is on the cusp of (fingers crossed) hiring one our community has befriended, through having guest ministers in the pulpit.
Reading the most recent profile that came in, I think about what my own answers would be. When the time comes, how will I represent myself?
There are many questions on the profile to ponder. What are my experiences with ecumenicalism, for example? And what oportunities will there be to add to my experiences?
In a previous course, I had taken a liking to Stuart Matlins "How to be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook ". It helped me understand how to be mindful and respectful in other religious environments. For example, my own denomination is quite casual in dress- this wouldn't fly in all other churches or places of worship. Some churches expect a certain level of participation- others do not, from strangers. Customs and matters of how to show respect vary.
I have visited Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim places of worship. I know that the focus of ecumenicalism is usually to unite Christian denominations under common causesand doctrines, but I do not find myself so much doctrinally focused. Instead, I am focused on peace and unity, among all religious expressions (save for those that cause active harm to folks).
I think that crossing religious barriers in a friendly manner, working together and learning to understand one another is invaluable. We do not have to worship the same way to share spiritual experiences, and we all have more in common than not. My favorite experience was sitting down with the imam of a mosque. This was at a point where Islamaphobia was rearing its ugly head in our communities, as it often does over time. The imam, unfortunately, felt it necesary to explain to me (a college student at the time) that Islam is not a religion of hate. We should be promoting understanding and embracing the commonalities between us- so that no religious minority in our community feels that pressure.
As for Christianity, my own church has shared worship services with other churches in town. My favorite worship experience in another Christian denomination was at an American Baptist church. They had based a whole lenten sermon series on a book "Into the Dark Woods" (Eric Elnes). I had not read the book- but the sermon inspired me to, and it became a quick favorite!
At the heart of it, we're all there for the same reasons, grasping at our own conception of the Almighty. I have been to Methodist, Presbytarian, American Baptist and Catholic services. Congregational church services are such a melting pot of traditions that I recognized pieces of others in ourselves. I was at awe with ways of worship that I had not considered, and found meaning in. Yes... I think that the more we can gather together for a common cause or purpose, with people across the spiritual waters, the better off we are! Interreligious and interdenominational experiences will help us be more empathetic people.
