The Church of Scotland is a spiritual desert

[searchingsearching]

NC for this.

I started attending my local CoS after going through a bit of a difficult time. I enjoyed being able to disconnect from the business of my life, and taking time to pray felt and still feels important but, almost two years down the line, I don’t feel any closer to God or even have an inkling as to why I should want to.

The sermons are long winded and go off in all sorts of tangents without ever getting to the point. Not helped by the minister who seems to try to cram in as many jokes and silly songs as is possible. Maybe it’s just this particular church but there’s just such a lack of depth and substance. Everything is so surface level and childish but the rest of the congregation seem quite happy with it. To me, church should feel sacred and be meaningful.

We’ve been encouraged to attend something called the alpha course so I had a look online and watched the first three installments on YouTube and can safely say I have no interest in it. It was a very sleek but cringy production that felt very Americanised with again, very little substance.

Does anyone else feel like this? Or is it just me? Perhaps a different denomination would suit me better or maybe it’s not Christianity I’m looking for at all.

Have a read of any of Richard Rohr's books. You might find them helpful.

If you're worried about lack of depth, don't do the Alpha Course - it's the epitome of style over substance.

In all honesty, I eventually concluded that you can't get close to a God that isn't real - this is after 25 years of trying desperately to be a good Christian.

Perhaps an episcopalian church is more what you are looking for. This is more like the equivalent of church of England with much more ritual and rigid forms of worship.

My advice is focus on entering into a relationship with Christ rather than seeking something from church.

When I became a Christian I wasn’t attending any church, and didn’t for probably over a year after I repented, welcoming Him to take over my life and be my Lord and Saviour. From that day on He taught me day by day from the scriptures. Eventually He took me to the church He wanted me to be part of. He continues to lead and direct my path, over forty years later.

Churches can and usually will disappoint. Jesus Christ never does.

It's fine to shop around for a church, you will probably find there are several different kinds in your area if you look.

Do you have any churches near you that call themselves ‘Anglo Catholic’? They may also style themselves as a ‘sacramental church’. You’ll find much more of an emphasis on ritual, they will use incense, the vicar will wear ornate vestments, there will be an emphasis on holy communion, set pieces that the whole congregation recite every week and overall a focus on reverence rather than informality. I generally find there is more depth to be found in them. .

While the style of worship is traditional, these churches tend to be very much more liberal socially than the more charismatic branch of the church. Everybody is welcome, nobody bats an eyelid if you’re gay, there are pet blessing services etc.

Every CoS church is different so try out another one if it's not working out for you. Agree that an Episopalian church might be a better fit.

There’s an Episcopalian church nearby by but I don’t think performative rituals whilst being socially liberal is going to quench any sort of spiritual thirst, really. That seems as empty and meaningless as the worship at my current CoS, just in a different way.

I’ve been finding myself drawn to Orthodox Christianity but there’s not a church anywhere near me, unfortunately.

☝This ☝

The three (well two and a half) videos I watched were embarrassing, quite frankly. I can’t understand why we’re being encouraged to take part in it. Although, I suppose it’s shallow, Christianity Lite style is in keeping with my church.

I was a militant atheist for years and now I flip flop between believing there is a God and believing in a general higher power or powers. I suppose I’m a bit spiritually homeless.

What about roman Catholic or methodist
or quakers ?

You cannot be totally against what you call ritual if you lean towards Orthodox ?
That's why I suggested RC. More of them around than Orthodox.
Or just try a different Cof S.
Do they have united reformed up there ?
Keep an open mind. And heart.

Good luck.

If you find a perfect church, don't join as you will surely spoil it.

I agree with you about the alpha course.

I wouldn't bother with it either.
I guess it was devised by and appeals to a certain kind of simplistic evangelical mindset maybe ?

@LeaningOnTheEverlastingArms I totally understand where you’re coming from but for me, there’s 2000 years of history and theology behind Christianity and the Bible so I couldn’t develop a belief or relationship with Christ without that grounding, and for that you need support and guidance from a church.

I’m against empty ritual @alexdgr8. I have toyed with the idea of attending a catholic mass and still might but definitely not Methodist or Quakers. I don’t think any other branch of Protestantism would fit the bill, really.

I hope you heal from whatever it is that’s causing you to be so unpleasant to a stranger seeking advice on Mumsnet. It must run deep.

@OP, you might find more help over at Christian Mumsnetters | Mumsnet | Mumsnet

Yeah, the Alpha Course is a very simplistic evangelistic tool to get bums on seats.

In my experience, Church of Scotland congratulations can be very different.

But if it's depth you are looking for, have you considered the Ignatian spiritual exercises?

https://www.iscglasgow.co.uk/

Thanks so much @LadeOde! I didn’t even know that section existed. Will have a read through.

That's one of the lamest evangelical clichés out there.

@Allthesnowallthetime @OP is looking to develop her relationship with Christ not delve into 'spirituality' devoid of Christ.

@op you're welcome. It was created to enable Christian Mners to discuss faith in peace without the usual, 'fairy in the sky', 'it's not real' or other such unhelpful trollish comments.

"Does anyone else feel like this? Or is it just me? Perhaps a different denomination would suit me better or maybe it’s not Christianity I’m looking for at all."

From the op.

Catholic Mass is full of ritual, but they certainly aren’t empty.
As with other Churches- the Mass is the same in each Church - but different Churches have different amounts of singing. Different Priests have different styles of Homilies.
On a Sunday I’ll go to the Cathedral near me because the music is fantastic - but it’s a big Church. During the week I’ll go to a smaller modern Church where I know more people and know the Priest more than at the Cathedral.

Maybe look into the reasons behind some of the rituals - eg: Dummies Guide to the Mass

I agree about the Alpha Course. I did it many years ago and it was great. Then I did it in lockdown and it was schmalz
Nicky Gumbel who set it up is an Anglican Priest.

The Hallow App is very popular now for all sorts of prayer/ explaining the Gospel. You might find that interesting

Many Church services are online via YouTube if you want to try some without actually going. But I get more out of it going in real life, otherwise I am too easily distracted

That makes sense. Although I can’t claim
to be Christian myself, I’m sure it’ll be helpful while I try to figure things out.