The Group I'm In

Over the years I have come across many people who attend church on an, at least, semi-regular basis. They seem to fall into several different groups.  This is the view of an outsider, from experience of meeting lots of people from all walks of life.  I have, apart from a carol service or two, not be to a church service for over 35 years, so do not pretend to know how these groups of people behave inside.  This is what we look like to those that do not attend, the face of the church that is presented by appearances.

The first group are those that are quite open, away from their Church group, that they do not believe. When asked why they attend church the answer will often be that they need to go as they want their child or children to attend the church school because it is the best school around, or that they need to attend for a while because they want to have a big church wedding. So their attendance is principally for personal gain, to gain advantage for their children, quite often at the expense of those that cannot afford to live quite as close to the school, or to gain advantage in their perceived place in society by being able to put on a good wedding bash with all the bells and whistles for their peers to see. This doesn't make me angry.  This makes me sad for I wish they could see the true glory of where they are, I wish they could converse with God whose house they are in.

Then there are the group that seem to need to be seen to believe. They seem to make big gestures, big donations, they will be visibly active at all big church events, at all the fete’s and shows. This is all well and good, as the Church does need people like this, people to be active, to make sure events that are needed in the community actually happen. But, I do have to question how some of these people live their lives. This may come down to the areas that I have lived in, or the groups of people I have mixed with from friends to work colleagues, but I do see two sides of people that are often in this category. They will be open about their faith and religion, almost to the point of preaching at those that do not want to hear His words. They will try and impose their view on others, and will bring Jesus or God or the Church into almost any conversation. These people will often behave in un-charitable ways when away from the Church. They will often seem to be wanting to make gains for themselves at others expense, will accumulate great monetary wealth, will oppose what others are doing despite being supported by those very people when doing the same things themselves. It seems to be a very one-sided agreement they have. As I said - this may be due to the people I have had around me, but I have seen it in so many places. And in discussions I had as an agnostic it is one thing that turns people away from the church - these most visible of attendees are seen in society to be the ones who take most for themselves, who will back stab to get their way, and seem to be attending to assuage their guilt.

The final group are those that tend to be very quiet about their faith. They find no need to impose their views, and often you will not known they believe in God, or even attend church on a very regular basis. These people are often very humble in their opinion of themselves, are hard workers, incredibly friendly and always willing to lend a hand.  If circumstance arises they even turn out to be a useful guide on tricky paths.  If they do reveal themselves to you it will come as a great surprise at first, then maybe once you consider it through it wont be such a thing after all.  Although do beware if you do not believe at this point, for you may want to question them more, to find out how God relates to this person before you.  You may find out far more than either of you expected.

Their are those that fit in between these groups, those that you would expect to be quite who will happily go door to door to raise awareness of His words.  Those that you would expect to be loud and brash turn into quiet church mice.  Those that are quite outside, but rejoice in being in His house and want to help fill it with music and joy.  There are all different types for everyone of His children is unique, which is another reason to give thanks.

Actually, there is another group. These you may not see unless you attend the church at odd hours. From the ones who do not have the personality for group worship, to the ones whose circumstance does not provide the time to attend on a Sunday morning. There will be lots of reasons why, but these people will often be like the last group, quiet, diligent hard workers, quietly Christian. They may have their special place to seek time with God away from own lives. In my case I fall into this group. I have a particular stop on a bike ride, it is at the top of a hill that I find hard to cycle up - of course it would be wouldn't it!  It is a small, understated little parish church in a small Norfolk village.  It is always beautiful here, whatever the weather.  Shelter is provided from the wind and rain, and shade provided from the sun.  A few benches are scattered around to rest in this quiet place.  Very early on a Sunday morning it is deserted, the perfect place for me to spend time with God, a moment to open my heart and refresh my soul.  I really miss my early Sunday bike rides at the moment, but unfortunately an illness has ment I can't cycle due to breathing issues.  But I am recovering, and will use a quiet spot closer to home until I can get there again.

So - just over two months on from the start of my journey and I find myself here.  I try to attend church on a regular basis, but in my own way. One day I will go inside a church, which is actually a rather daunting prospect.  The thought of that scares me in some ways, but also fills me with joy.  I have no idea what my emotions will be when I do, or what my reaction will be, but I think it will be a wonderful experience that will leave me with both tears and a smile.