Dear friends,
Well, after 4 years of being out of the Borg, I decided to take the plunge and I went to "church" with my sister. It was a wonderful experience, and I will definately be returning. Here was my experience:
The church is a huge facility that has 3 services at different times on their days of worship with about 1,200 people at each service. I was nervous, but excited at the same time to see what it would really be like. Since I was raised in the Borg, I grew up like most JWs, never having set foot in a church for a wedding or even a funeral.
About 3 years ago however, I went to another church for a funeral for a friend I worked with. It was like going into a assembly hall, and seemed strangely familiar because of it. I was amazed at how I was not uneasy at all. and it really showed me how much I had been scared into believing it would be a very scarey place.
So when I went for Sunday worship, I had a feeling I would be pleasantly suprised again...and I was!!! There was a band that played music and sang christian songs with 2 big screens with the words to the songs if you want to sing along. Then there was a water baptism...just like the many assembly halls I have been to with a pool in the front of the auditorium so all could see, they were filming it so that you could get a close up on the big screen of the baptismal candidates faces. It was quite touching, 9 got baptized.
Then, they had communion, a type of "mini memorial"...Jesus never said only once a year, just "keep doing this.....", then, the speaker came up and told the story of David, Saul, Jonothan and Mephibosheth. They had preprinted for everyone who wanted one the scriptures that were cited, so you could look them up later, which I though was really nice....no note taking....and then he gave example of how we could apply the story to our own lives.
I thought it was excellent, and was very encouraging. I actually learned quite a bit!! Some people leave the Borg and never have a spiritual need again. I am one of those who enjoy being encouraged by the Bible and how I can become a better person. However, I must say I will NEVER become a "member" of any other church, being told how or what to believe. I liked the fact that it was so large, no one knew that I was new, so as to not become someones "project" so to speak.
I was very encouraged and had a tear in my eye more that once. Except for the fact that the audiance didn't have all suits and dresses on, it was like being at a circuit assembly. I was amazed at how many young people were there without their parents. They came in all different colors, and from obviously different backgrounds. It was an amazing testimony to the fact that God accepts all who love him and his son and who have faith no matter what religion they come from, or what they are wearing. I can't imagine Jesus getting his "special" meeting robe on in order to minister to the people.
I never thought I would ever step foot in a church. let alone go there for fellowship and encouragement, but it was a refreshing change and it filled a void I have had for a long time. It also confirmed to me something I already know and believe, and that is the JWs are NOT the only ones approved by God. It is a matter rather of the heart, faith and love.
As a side perk, I saw several people I know there, that was a bonus! There was much fellowship afterwards in the huge lobby, just like you would see at the assembly halls. Lots of laughter and smiles. It was strange. People knew one another and they disn't all run off, but they stayed and visited. If I were to imagine them all in suits and ties, I would have thought they were all JWS!!
Anyhow...I just thought I would share this with you, in case there was anyone out there who have been contemplating going to "church".
Sincerely,
Lady Liberty