Why Can't Church Be Fun?

I had fun in the Church balcony today.   I sat in the center section just in front of the balcony organ pipes.  I sang just as loudly as I wanted because I knew my voice would not out sing those beautiful pipes.  And I had fun because I knew I could sing the wrong notes, even the wrong hymn if I wanted to, and nobody would know! 

I had fun, also, because the pastor did a monologue.  Dr. Christopher Chapman is one of the most creative preachers I’ve ever known.  This was the second time he has done a monologue this spring. This time he appeared as a modern day cynic.  Walking to the podium and speaking beside the pulpit rather than behind it, Dr. Chapman became the cynic of faith and religious practice that we all, at some time in our lives, have been.  “Now here is a pastor who knows that we sometimes doubt and have all kinds of faith questions,” I thought, “and he’s not afraid to deal with the real issues which confront us all, and in such a creative way!”

  I am continually amazed by the versatility and depth of Dr. Chapman’s sermons and monologues.  I find myself leaving Sunday after Sunday with the words from one of Chaucer’s Cantebury Tales characters, “…and still they gazed and still the wonder grew, that one small head could carry all he knew.”   When the word gets out about how this Church and its pastor are tackling some of the difficult issues of life and faith, and with such a sense of joy and wit, the balcony should soon be overflowing!

It feels good to leave Church knowing that the pastor, staff, and members are working together, in all their diversity and with all their differences, to learn and grow.   As Scott Peck put it, “God put us on this earth to learn and to grow.”  First Baptist Church of Raleigh seems to understand the learning, growing, and doubting processes involved in the life of faith.  And instead of forming circular firing squads to address differences in the congregation, they celebrate them with healthy discussion, laughter, and creative thinking.