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Alison Marshall

Kristin Carlson

16 September 2016

Experiential Difference of Church Languages

Church hoppers are a rare type of Christian. They remain uncommitted

to any Church name, but blend in as one of the pack. Integration into each

church culture means investing in the message while also investing in the

community. At least that has been my story as a Church hopper. Being new

to church is like entering into its own world because the surrounding

community have an intricate understanding of the unspoken rules and

assumed guidelines that govern the experience within that church. The

building blocks of a community are intertwined with the unique language

that facilitates connection within the purpose of that community.

Plunging into my first year at college allowed me to branch out and

explore other facets of my deep rooted value in faith. I hop between the

large Springdale Nazarene Church and Sanctuary, a small house church. The

experience created in each is drastically different; although they each share

common values and similar messages. Each is focused in a different way,

and in the pursuit of this purpose their languages have branched to

complement these subtle differences. Upon experiencing each of these

churches for the first time, I was shy, nervous, and felt isolated from the

community. After attending several services of each, I began to observe the

norms and adjust to the way they put God into words.
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Pastor Darrel of Springdale Nazarene has an unassuming look, but

upon taking his place before the congregation a heavy silence falls upon the

large crowd, hanging on his every movement. His presence increases as his

deep voice carries the first reading of Scripture across listeners primed and

ready to receive the message. I had never been one for large sermons, but

his presence demanded a listening ear. Pulling directly from Scripture, Pastor

Darrel speaks firmly about Gods plan for each individuals gifts, he paces

with confidence as he recites from memory. He pauses, then starts again in a

softer tone challenging the community to reflect on their individual gifts and

how they apply these blessings every day. The linear journey he walked me

through was comforting in the clean, direct translation to my life. My mind

raced with the implications of responsibility to myself to honor my

introspective conclusions.

Sanctuary provided a much different experience, being in small group

format with a discussion facilitator as opposed to a main Pastor. The leader,

Greg, made me feel comfortable with his laid back persona and geek talk

about Star Wars as I tentatively took my spot in the circle consisting of the

small community of around 15 people. Greg opened with an ice breaker

question that equated to much of the group joking and laughing, so I giggled

along as I settled into the intimate environment. A smooth transition from

the casual jokes to volunteers to read the small Bible passage felt expected

by the group. After a slow, gentle reading Greg began the discussion with an

open ended question about the meaning and interpretation of living out the
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Gospel. Shockingly, the first person to share voluntarily expanded upon a

vulnerable connection with the passage. Looking around I realized this was

the norm and natural flow of conversation to analyze the Scripture not for

logical conclusions, but for personal meaning in the present time of their

lives. The raw, free sharing of themselves within a community willing to hold

each other accountable demanded a listening heart. Weaving in and out of

Scripture, interpretation, personal connection, and key take-aways

challenged me to journey with them on their winding path to discover the

living God.

With such different approaches to community, Scripture, and personal

impact, its no wonder that the experience of each is vastly distinctive. Each

embraces their own language to complement the purpose of either a linear

or winding path. Along the linear path I heard logical reasoning with powerful

obligations that required action. Key words included discipleship, gathering,

thriving, service, learning, worshiping, eternity, salvation, and evangelism

which showcased the basis for their practice of daily investment in spiritual

needs. This path of faith creates a clear foundation that is to be upheld

through spiritual discipline.

Inversely, the winding path ebbed and flowed with authentic

contributions rich with emotional connotations. Phrases such as living life on

mission, authentic community, speaking truth, calling to grow, availability to

encourage, intentional vulnerability, tangible kingdom, and active listening

are often repeated as they are central to the core values of creating a space
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to belong for the rebellious, rejected, and right-brained. This route generates

a body of Christ sustained by a strong tie to the common humanity of the

world. The varied approaches to why each community engages in church

builds the specific word choice and concepts used.

Going from Springdale Nazarene on Sunday morning to Sanctuary on

Monday evenings, it became increasingly easier to switch between the

languages of each. On Sunday I am an onlooker without being a passive

listener. I contemplate the Scripture and embrace the direct implications of

Gods love. But on Monday I am a broken Christian bonding with a Living

God, as I am exposed to infinite words of hope and grace. My language

would swing from concise to elaborative, from impartial to personal, from

calm to charged. I shift in roles, in language, and in the expectations of my

experience of faith.

Interestingly, I quite enjoy my life as a Church hopper. I have adjusted

and overcome the overwhelming task of integrating into each individual

church culture as I developed the awareness of expectations. Now I come

prepared to each not only in the most complementary mental state, but also

with different supplemental materials. To Springdale Nazarene I bring my

personal Bible in order to note, highlight, and flag the passages being

analyzed. To Sanctuary I bring my journal to scribble random ideas and

encouraging thoughts being shared. In this way I receive and reflect best

with each style of delivering purposeful messages.

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Although it took a period of uncomfortable time, I am inspired by my

double church life. There is a large experiential difference in spite of similar

messages, values, and community demographics. From the word choice, to

the topic choice, to the expectations of the individual, to the delivery of the

message, the language of each church creates a unique environment for the

pursuit of faith.