Evangelical Christian upbringing reflections
I can remember my first day at school. That was nearly 60 years ago now. I remember lots of kids, a kind lady (Miss Fitzpatrick I think). I remember those metal trough things with sand and water in and wearing a big smock thing that was old. I remember most kids had new smart ones.
However I don't ever remember going to Sunday school for the first time. I remember an old lady handing out sweets as we left the old church hall behind the main building. I remember that getting rebuilt. I remember Viv (who's still a close friend) sat with me in our group, Graham who sadly died last year and Richard our "teacher" who had a hunchback. He died in a motorbike accident when I was about 8 and the first time I really had to deal with loss and grief.
We attended an Evangelical Free church. My grandma had had something to do with it's creation in the 1930s when she was a "fever nurse" at the old isolation hospital whose grounds are now wildwoods that's pretty much impossible to get into.
Grandma was revered at church. She and mum always wore hats for Sunday morning service. We were trooped on to sit on the floor at the front after Sunday school. Grandma would always have a conversation with the pastor critiquing his sermon.
It was fundamentalist stuff. Complete belief in the word of God. In creation, the virgin birth, Christ's resurrection and ascension etc. The devil is always tempting you etc. So in my early teens it rubbed against school learning. Evolution was the devil's work. Trying to discuss sedimentary rock formations on a church walk on the coast meant three weeks going to the Manse for extra bible study.
At 15 I rebelled and stopped going just after my elder brother had. My sister was a full born again believer by then.
My grandma died when I was 18. I remember going with mum to church not long after. She didn't wear a hat. Within a year she moved to an Anglican church. She became church warden there. I tried again in my early 20s going to that church. But hypocrisy was rife and I soon abandoned it.
I've a very good friend who's church warden at the same parish mum was. Viv still attends the old evangelical church and my sister is heavily involved in a very charismatic church my brother in law is an elder at.
All attempt to get me to redeem my soul by going back to church but I just don't believe in any of it enough. My sister generally avoids conversations with me about it.
My Christian upbringing clearly shaped me, I believe in charity, thinking of others, being inclusive etc. One person in particular Rev Steve Chalke (UK readers may know him) he was a powerful preacher when I was in my teens and his inclusive action orientated ministry contrasted greatly against those that in my opinion did nothing. He's still a man who's opinions I value.
Just musing on what shapes us. What shaped you and your views?
However I don't ever remember going to Sunday school for the first time. I remember an old lady handing out sweets as we left the old church hall behind the main building. I remember that getting rebuilt. I remember Viv (who's still a close friend) sat with me in our group, Graham who sadly died last year and Richard our "teacher" who had a hunchback. He died in a motorbike accident when I was about 8 and the first time I really had to deal with loss and grief.
We attended an Evangelical Free church. My grandma had had something to do with it's creation in the 1930s when she was a "fever nurse" at the old isolation hospital whose grounds are now wildwoods that's pretty much impossible to get into.
Grandma was revered at church. She and mum always wore hats for Sunday morning service. We were trooped on to sit on the floor at the front after Sunday school. Grandma would always have a conversation with the pastor critiquing his sermon.
It was fundamentalist stuff. Complete belief in the word of God. In creation, the virgin birth, Christ's resurrection and ascension etc. The devil is always tempting you etc. So in my early teens it rubbed against school learning. Evolution was the devil's work. Trying to discuss sedimentary rock formations on a church walk on the coast meant three weeks going to the Manse for extra bible study.
At 15 I rebelled and stopped going just after my elder brother had. My sister was a full born again believer by then.
My grandma died when I was 18. I remember going with mum to church not long after. She didn't wear a hat. Within a year she moved to an Anglican church. She became church warden there. I tried again in my early 20s going to that church. But hypocrisy was rife and I soon abandoned it.
I've a very good friend who's church warden at the same parish mum was. Viv still attends the old evangelical church and my sister is heavily involved in a very charismatic church my brother in law is an elder at.
All attempt to get me to redeem my soul by going back to church but I just don't believe in any of it enough. My sister generally avoids conversations with me about it.
My Christian upbringing clearly shaped me, I believe in charity, thinking of others, being inclusive etc. One person in particular Rev Steve Chalke (UK readers may know him) he was a powerful preacher when I was in my teens and his inclusive action orientated ministry contrasted greatly against those that in my opinion did nothing. He's still a man who's opinions I value.
Just musing on what shapes us. What shaped you and your views?
