When and why did I find it hardest to relate to the Church?

Do you find it hard to relate to the Church?

Many people, even people who believe in God, cannot relate to the Church. I wrote about this in my book How to Cope with the Church. Some say that the one thing it lacks is an account of my journey. How did I learn to cope with the Church?

I wrote recently about how I learnt to relate to the Church at University and in the years immediately following. Two things happened next which changed my life dramatically.

I got married
We moved to Wales.

Marriage is a subject in itself. It certainly added a new dimension to the problem of relating to the Church as well as adding a new dimension to my life. Perhaps I will write about that sometime. But for now, Wales.

Why did the move affect my ability to relate to the Church?

In a few years we were to live in North, Mid and South Wales. An interesting experience (or three experiences, if you like) but with certain challenges.

Often, we were in a new place, new jobs and having to choose a church.
We found people in Wales had more attachment to their denominations than was usually the case in England, and were often suspicious of people from a different church background.
It was harder to get different churches to cooperate to put on events.
In some cases, Welsh-speakers regarded English-speakers with caution, especially in Welsh-speaking chapels.
A lot of people didn’t welcome change, of any kind.
Many people focused on the events in Wales in the early twentieth century, although not all interpreted them in the same way.
One church we went to for a time was more of a social club than anything.

What could we relate to?

The words of the Bible and most hymns were as true as they always were.
In the Anglican Church, the words of the liturgy, the set prayers, were as valid as ever.
In every church, we found at least a few people we could relate to. They cared for God and for other people more than for the institution.
Sometimes we visited churches that were changing, even if it meant a bit of a journey on those Sundays.
We got some good teaching from books and tapes (remember them?) by preachers who could communicate.
We went to some Christian conferences to get encouragement and teaching.
There was something to learn from every church and every Christian we encountered. (One pastor said, ‘chew on the meat and spit out the bone’.)
We supported each other.

Note: that was many years ago. I believe the churches in Wales have moved on since I left. Was there a connection?

How did we relate to the Church when we came back to the North West of England?

I will write about that soon. Meanwhile, perhaps you want to read How to Cope with the Church?

If you are a determined atheist this book is not for you. If you are strong in the faith it is not for you either. If you are somewhere in between, if you have problems with Church, Bible reading, prayer, if you have not been for a while and are nervous about going back, if you have doubts and questions and do not like to ask, then this book could be just what you need. John Harvey Murray shares insights gained from experience in many different churches on the journey of faith and life. If he can cope, so can you.

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