Leap of Faith

I went to a church called The Journey on the Upper West Side with Jenn yesterday for Easter, and the service made me think of Leap of Faith. Who remembers this movie? I used to love it back in the day. (Steve Martin's pre-Pink Panther years were the best.) There weren't people passing out in every aisle or anything, but it was a bit...flashy. The choir played Christian rock music, and while the singers were extremely talented, I felt a bit awkward as I tried to figure out what exactly I was supposed to be doing. Clapping? Tapping my foot? Waving my hands in the air like I just didn't care? What?

The pastors had incredible speaking skills--you would have thought they were trained actors. It was certainly entertaining. The sermon was about having an "unshakeable faith" during even the toughest times, and it touched on every tribulation a person could face from illness to unemployment. So, it was easy for me to find something to relate to, which was cool. I like being able to take a message or lesson and apply it to my every day life. However, after being instructed to high-five the people around me at the end of the service, I left feeling a bit confused. I guess my traditional Kentucky roots are stronger than I had thought!

I'm not an extremely religious person, but having this unique church experience made me realize that I do actually have an opinion and a preference when it comes to practicing my faith. I like to quietly slip into church, light a candle for myself and any loved ones who need it, pray silently through the service and slip back out. For me, a calm, zen experience is what I need.

You won't find me talking about religion much on this blog, but I'm curious to know: What is your church like? Do you enjoy a fun, entertaining service like the one I went to yesterday, or a more traditional one?