musings from the road: Can I Get An Amen?

Nashville, TN: I love the kind of music that makes me move. If it's got a groove or a funky beat, I can almost literally not stop my body from swaying side to side or bopping my head. I attribute this to my early days of dance classes at Shannon Barnhart Dance Studio. Thanks to Miss Shannon, I learned all about jazz hands and kick-ball-changes and Good Vibrations.

It's no wonder then, that even when I'm in a church, if the music moves me, I'm going to feel pretty inspired. And once my hips start moving and hands start clapping, it's kinda hard for me to stop! Though I have a special place in my heart for the haunting and reverent hymns I grew up with, the music at Anointed Life Fellowship Church (ALFC) gave me a tangible experience on what it's like to be truly "filled with the spirit."

Greeting: I had the pleasure of attending this weekend's service with my friend, Tasha, a graduate of Magdalene and former employee of Thistle Farms. Because I was her guest, I got big welcomes from some of her church friends, but I have a feeling that even if I didn't know a soul when I walked into the space, I would have been greeted with the same warm welcome.

Community: For those following The Great Church Search, you may recall that in the first four weeks, I could count on one hand how many people of different races there were in each church. Today was no exception... except that I was in the minority. As I glanced around the room of 80-ish people, I was one of four Caucasian women; the rest -- all African American men, women and children. There was a healthy mix of single people, couples, the older generation, teenagers and small children. I gotta be honest - I'm rarely in situations like that and, even though I was in a welcoming church, I was very aware that I was different. It gave me a new appreciation of how others, who are always the minority, must feel every day of their lives.

Music: As you can probably tell, the music was, by far, the highlight of my day. With a keyboard/synth player, a drummer and a six piece vocal choir, the entire congregation was on its feet, praising God with their voices and hands. Though most of the songs weren't in my repertoire, it was nearly impossible not to tap my foot or clap along. And while at some churches, I feel slightly uncomfortable when others throw their hands up to sky, I felt as if my own arms wanted to jump up and join in the fun! Another great part was that because people were putting so much physical energy into the worship, they handed out hand fans, which the ladies used to cool themselves, while not missing a beat.

Service: The word that comes to mind when reflecting on this service is interactive. This is no zone-out-and-snap-back-when-the-pastor-is-done-talking kind of service. Once the music portion had wrapped up and a few housekeeping items and upcoming events were reviewed, the pastor held each person's full attention. He would say things like, "give thanks in everything that happens to you" and drive it home by having us repeat:

Pastor: When the bills aren't paid?
Congregation (out loud): Give thanks.
Pastor: When they're coming after you?
Congregation (still out loud): Give thanks!
Pastor: When you lose your job?
Congregation (even louder!): Give thanks!!
Pastor: Now turn to your neighbor and tell them.

Congregation (seriously - everyone turn to the person next to you and say it out loud to them): Give thanks!!!
Pastor: Can I get an Amen?
Congregation: Amen!!!!!

Message: There was a LOT going on in the sermon. I was trying to take notes, but the energetic pastor would jump from one pretty powerful statement to the next with a literal kind of physical jump in between the two. One thing that I did manage to scribble down was "if you're forced out, God can then force you into something else." I'm still mulling over this idea as I try to come to grips on why I am being forced out of certain situations in my life. Perhaps God is trying to force me into doing something that is inherently uncomfortable for me, in order to help me grow. Just to make sure we're clear, even if I began to understand it, God, I don't like it. (But I'll do my best to follow whatever it is You want me to do.)

Denomination: ALFC is technically a non-denominational church, though partners with the World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries. It was started in 1996 and its motto is "An Anointed Life is a Spirit-led Life."

Overall: This was such an enriching experience and I am glad to have discovered a place where the music that moves me is used as a way to express feelings about God. In the future, if I need to get a "spirit-boost," I think I have found the perfect place to get the fix!

Reflections on the Journey Thus Far: It's been six weeks, I've been to six separate churches and I am in wonder of the similarities and differences between all of them. Although I'd like to say my faith is growing stronger by each experience, I'm also facing some doubt that I had not realized would surface. Since I don't know how this chapter will end, all I can do it continue to move forward, continue on the path and see what God may potentially be forcing me into.

One More Thing: Peanut didn't get back until late on Sunday, so I opted to share the morning with Sweet T. Once the service wrapped, I looked at my watch and realized it had been TWO HOURS AND FIFTEEN MINUTES! On that note, I decided to forgo lunch and get some much-needed work done (hence my early Wednesday review blog). So no restaurant review today, but as a treat, I leave you with a snippet of music from the service. I caught them at the beginning of their musical breakdown, so give it until 1:20 to get back into the song. And then, put your hands together, if the spirit moves you.

Amen?