Happy 20th Birthday!

Today was my church's birthday.  Westridge Community Church turned 20 years old.

The founding Pastor was only 30 when he decided he wanted to start a church.  I have wanted to start a business.  Save animals.  Write books.  Run the show at weddings.  But start a church?  I couldn't imagine doing that now or ever.  Too much politics in it.  Religion?  That's a touchy subject.  

Religion fires up people more than most things.  Beliefs in one's own faith and that one's own faith is the best.. well some die for it, some kill for it.  I can't stand behind that.  I can't stand behind hurting someone else physically or emotionally, and I don't see how that could ever be right by any God.  However, if you practice your beliefs and I practice mine, peacefully, you are A-OK in my book.  This post is not about that though.  It's about my church.  My denominational, Jesus loving, full of real people, with real problems, who have made real mistakes church.  The fact that Darren had some sort of epiphany 20 years ago about opening a place of worship where it's motto is... Never Church as Usual... is something I admire.

I started going shortly after I moved back home from Orlando on the premise that it was walking distance from my house, and there was a coffee shop attached to it.  The first service was really crazy to me, and nothing like the Catholic service I was used too.  I sipped my coffee, and I took it all in.  Someone from the welcome crew saw me, and approached me with over board friendliness.  And then as the lights came on, quickly swept in to have me meet Pastor Darren.  I was so embarrassed and nervous... did I really look that out of place that I just couldn't blend in?  Darren was pretty laid back, and nice... said hello, and just told me if I ever had any questions to ask.  Ummm, ok.  I wasn't expecting the whole interaction to be so quick and easy.  It's all I really remember.  Since then...I never stopped going.  Sure, I miss Sundays there.  But I call Westridge my church home and probably will for sometime.

Since then...
Adam has started going to church.  Never having found a true connection to any faith, I just told him about the service when he asked.  I answered questions best I could.  When he didn't ask... I didn't get mad or hurt.  I let him find his way to going with me.

Since then...
My friends and family have tagged along for a visit.  Some have found it enlightening and as my own mom would say "your church is fun!"  And some, it's just not for them.

Since then...
I have laughed out loud in church.  I have had many cups of coffee.  I have sat last row and front row.  I have worn my favorite sport team t-shirts.  I have sang Silent Night, holding a lit candle on Christmas Eve.  I have cried, tears of joy at some of the teachings, and tears of sadness at others.  I have grieved.  I have asked for prayer from the church community.  I have never questioned giving any money or donations of school supplies, food, and clothing that they have asked for because I know it's all going to a place where it is needed.  I have watched people choose to be baptized and I have watched people open up with their own struggles. 

Since then...
I promised in front of my immediate and church family to raise my son to know Jesus.  One of the hardest parts with that is the feeling that I feel like I know nothing about teaching him that, when in reality I will learn right along side him, as he develops his own personal relationship.

Since then...
I just overall feel very happy after returning home.  I am never disappointed and always in awe of what's to come or what the church does for our community.  Darren really got it right.  Never church as usual.  A safe place.  An authentic place.  A grace filled place.  A place that preaches unfiltered truth of the Bible.

Happy 20th Birthday Westridge!