I’ve been thinking about what kind of Christian I want to be if I decide to be Christian after all. I’m kind of torn. I currently got o Cedar Ridge Community Church (the one founded by Brian McLaren) with my wife. She likes it a lot, and she’s looking to settle down in a congregation and make it her home. I can’t say I blame her. She’s pretty solid in her Christianity, and just wants to get on with living a Christian life, being part of authentic community, and worshipping God, and I can’t say I blame her. In many ways, my religious search is probably frustrating as I nervously flit back and forth between all kinds of different ideas and theologies.
There’s much about emergent Christianity that appeals to me. The sermons at Cedar Ridge are dynamite- I agree with the theology being presented 100%. However, I’m not incredibly excited aboutt he mode of worship. Actually, I think it’s innovative, relevant, and a fantastic idea, but I don’t know that it’s the mode of worship that really appeals to me and connects for me.
I’d be much more comfortable in a more traditional liturgical service- Episcopal, Lutheran, or even Eastern Orthodox (I’m looking forward to trying out a Greek Orthodox service in the near future). I like the liturgy. I prefer the music- I’m not all that enthusiastic about contemporary praise music. Some of it can be great, but not all the time; it just doesn’t mesh with my preconceived notions about what “church” and “worship” are supposed to be like.
In some ways, because of it’s broad tolerance for vastly differing theological approaches, the Episcopal Church would be almost ideal. I really enjoy a good Episcopal service. However, I prefer the sermons at Cedar Ridge by a factor of maybe a million. And Cedar Ridge seems like one of the most friendly, welcoming places we’ve come to (other than maybe the Quakers).
The other factor is that I’m not excited about going to church separately from my wife. I feel pretty strongly about that. We should be together at church. Even if I decide to be a committed atheist, I still plan on going to church with my wife every Sunday for the rest of my life. It just feels right to me.
I don’t dislike anything about Cedar Ridge. It’s just not my ideal fantasy church. I don’t mind going to Cedar Ridge (and I certainly get something- quite a bit actually- out of it when I go), but I’m not so sure that in terms of worship it’s a perfect match for me.
The whole issue is pretty much unripe though, given that I still haven’t decided that God exists anyway. But if I do decide to be a theist, it’ll be an issue.
Sailing to Byzantium 
I’ve learned that there is no such thing as a perfect fantasy church. There isn’t a church in existence that doesn’t have some problems. And that’s part of living in an authentic community, recognizing that people/programs aren’t perfect and relationships can get messy.
It’s intriquing that you plan on attending church with your wife even if you commit yourself to life-long atheism. You’re certainly no Dawkins-style-atheist. And I’m glad that you’ve found a church that’s accepting of someone who doesn’t fit the mold but is still interested in being a part of the community.
Well, I’m not an atheist because I hate God or think church sucks or anything. I like religion, theology, and church. I like going to church as a family, too. That’s incredibly important to me.
Oopsy, sorry, my spell checker did a trick on me. Anyway, I was saying that I am happy you are willing to go see Eastern Orthodox liturgy. I am a Russian Orthodox and I every Sunday I visit the Church, I LOVE it! Hopefully, you’ll like it too. The sermons that are given in-between the liturgical parts rock too, but I realize a lot of it depends on the priest, so I can’t tell you anything informative about that, apart from me really liking it too.
I’ve actually been to an OCA liturgy before. It was a bit long, and I don’t like standing up for the whole thing. The sermon was quite good.
Yes, you are right about standing, it’s exhausting. This “standing-style” is Russian Orthodox specific. The Greek Orthodox Church that I attend actually has benches like any other western church, although you are encouraged to stand during certain parts of the Liturgy.
Well, some standing is fine. Also, it’s pretty normal, especially for liturgical churches of most every stripe. It’s the standing the whole time thing.