Calvary Baptist Church
Christ, the subject of discussion, the cause of wars and the Redeemer too many. A simple man, who, for centuries has been the root to many misunderstandings and too many miracles. Such a controversial subject that it seems everyone has a view on. Religion is something that nearly everyone has a view on. Whether you have firm beliefs in one religion or are against another, it is a topic that can be very sensitive to discuss. However, should you keep an open heart and an open mind to one’s views, you can learn a lot about both a person and yourself.
Religion has always been of interest to me. I have always felt that if you understand a person’s religion, then you are able to understand a person more fully. Having grown up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in a community in which 90% of it belonged to the same church, I wasn’t familiar with many other religions or their beliefs. However, the desire to learn more about other religions grew as I attended college. I was all of a sudden presented with peers who belonged to different religions and who challenged my own beliefs.
At the age of 26, I left the LDS church. I didn’t leave with any animosity or hatred towards this church, as some have. I left primarily because I don’t feel as if I belonged to the organization. I had doubts about some of its beliefs and practices, felt pressure from my peers that I wasn’t “perfect enough” and wasn’t happy with the life I was living. Having left, I found it to be difficult at first, but soon discovered my own happiness. I found that I still had strong beliefs in a “Higher Being” and that my morals and values had not changed much from that I had been taught in the LDS religion.
As I begun to travel the world, my interest in religion began to grow even more then, than it did before. I encountered many who came from religions that were not prevalent in my home community. I found myself asking questions and becoming intrigued with the religions I was encountering. I learned more about the Muslim religion, the Catholic Church, Jewism and Buddhism. Each contract I would embark on for my job, I would learn as much as I could about other religions. However, due to my work schedule, I had very limited time to attend any of these religions church meetings or practices.
Seeking out an opportunity to learn more about religion, I choose to attend a Baptist church for one of my diversity experiences. As I had friends from that faith, I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn more about their beliefs. As I searched the internet for an opportunity, I came across the Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Not knowing what to expect, I drove to Salt Lake with curiosity and intent to learn.
As I walked in the doors I was greeted by a young man. He asked if I was new to the congregation, in which I explained I was. He showed me around and introduced me to a few members of the worshipers. A very nice lady invited me to sit with her, as she could tell I was a little nervous. As I sat on the wooden bench, I observed the room. It was similar to that of an LDS church, however the pulpit was lower and was designed slightly different. I noticed a piano, but also a set of drums and guitar. I thought this to be interesting as I had never seen those items in a church meeting. I looked around and begun to notice that I was one of very few Caucasians in the room. Most of the congregation was of color and appeared to be African-American. However, I did notice a lady who looked of Asian descent. I also noticed that there were a group of older ladies sitting together towards the front of the room. They were all wearing big hats that matched their dresses. I also noticed that many of the people were dressed in nice dress clothes, however not all were dressed in what I would consider “Sunday Best”. As I made the observations, I noticed that they were different from those in which I was accustomed to in the LDS religion. I also noticed that I was making these comparisons against the LDS religion, however I had not be active in that religion for 10 years. I found this to be interesting, as it is probably the religion that I most identify with.
The room got quite as a man stood at the pulpit and welcomed the congregation. The prayer was given and then the choir came to the stage. We were invited to stand and join them in song. I was a little nervous at first, not knowing if I would know the songs. However, many were similar or the same to ones I had sung in the LDS church. The lady I was sitting with handed me a hymn book so that I wouldn’t feel left out. After a few songs, the sacrament was given and offerings were asked. I found this to be so interesting, as it was done differently than ways that I was familiar with. The Pastor was then announced and joined the pulpit, with the choir leaving the stage.
The Pastor began to talk about the story of David and Bathsheba. This was a story that I was vaguely familiar with, but couldn’t remember much of the details. However, I found it interesting to listen to him, as the way in which he was telling the story was less formal than I had heard it told before. I noticed a couple of men go up to the instruments on stage, but at that time the story took a turn. The pastor started to get passionate and the congregation began to get vocal. As the story got to its climax, the pastor said something that I will never forget. Up until this point, he had started to lose my attention, however it was what he said that caught my attention. In talking about the relationship of David and Bathsheba he stated, “They hooked up, then hooked up again… and then Bathsheba got knocked up!” Some of the ladies in the front row gasped and mumbled words of shock. This statement took me by surprised as it was presented so informally and blunt. A little shocked, I was drawn in to the situation and was anticipating what would happen next. The drums started to pound, the pastor continued his sermon, and began to start dancing around. The guitar chimed in, the piano added to the sermon and the Pastor was soon singing and dancing around the pulpit. I am not quite sure when the choir joined the stage, but soon everyone was on their feet.
Standing on my feet, I joined in with the congregation. People were dancing and singing along with the choir. As I watched, I tried to understand what was happening. It was all so new to me and I didn’t quite know what to do or what to think. After the sermon and singing, we closed with prayer and I sat quietly on my bench. The lady next to me asked what I thought and I explained to her that this was all so new to me and I found it to be very fun and interesting. We talked for a few minutes and then she invited me to join her in the lobby. I was greeted by many more members and even met the Pastor.
During my drive home I reflected on this experience. I learned so much and enjoyed this experience so much. The people in which I observed were sound in their faith and you could feel their passion for it. Although I thought the Pastor’s sermon to be somewhat over exaggerated, I enjoyed the music and singing immensely. I also thought of how my own personal experiences with the LDS church were influencing my views on both the meeting itself and the topic of the sermon. As I tried to not compare, I found that it was something I did without thinking. It was then that it dawned on me that this is what we do when we encounter new things. I also found myself planning when I would return to this church and that I had a sense of belonging to it. I’m not sure if it was the friendliness of the people or my desire to learn that has led me to want to go back.
Viewing a subject in which we have been taught during our lives in way and then seeing it taught in a different way can evoke a variety of emotions. To some it can be troubling and disturbing as it goes against their beliefs. To others it can spark curiosity and a desire to learn. When it comes to religion and Christ, many tend to reject beliefs that are opposing to their own. For me, I welcomed the opportunity to learn. Although I have not fully grasped the Baptist religion, I have had a taste as to what it is like. I am able to understand my friends more fully now and have a way of connecting with them on a different level. This experience has not only opened my eyes, but has provided me with an opportunity to grow.
Religion has always been of interest to me. I have always felt that if you understand a person’s religion, then you are able to understand a person more fully. Having grown up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in a community in which 90% of it belonged to the same church, I wasn’t familiar with many other religions or their beliefs. However, the desire to learn more about other religions grew as I attended college. I was all of a sudden presented with peers who belonged to different religions and who challenged my own beliefs.
At the age of 26, I left the LDS church. I didn’t leave with any animosity or hatred towards this church, as some have. I left primarily because I don’t feel as if I belonged to the organization. I had doubts about some of its beliefs and practices, felt pressure from my peers that I wasn’t “perfect enough” and wasn’t happy with the life I was living. Having left, I found it to be difficult at first, but soon discovered my own happiness. I found that I still had strong beliefs in a “Higher Being” and that my morals and values had not changed much from that I had been taught in the LDS religion.
As I begun to travel the world, my interest in religion began to grow even more then, than it did before. I encountered many who came from religions that were not prevalent in my home community. I found myself asking questions and becoming intrigued with the religions I was encountering. I learned more about the Muslim religion, the Catholic Church, Jewism and Buddhism. Each contract I would embark on for my job, I would learn as much as I could about other religions. However, due to my work schedule, I had very limited time to attend any of these religions church meetings or practices.
Seeking out an opportunity to learn more about religion, I choose to attend a Baptist church for one of my diversity experiences. As I had friends from that faith, I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn more about their beliefs. As I searched the internet for an opportunity, I came across the Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Not knowing what to expect, I drove to Salt Lake with curiosity and intent to learn.
As I walked in the doors I was greeted by a young man. He asked if I was new to the congregation, in which I explained I was. He showed me around and introduced me to a few members of the worshipers. A very nice lady invited me to sit with her, as she could tell I was a little nervous. As I sat on the wooden bench, I observed the room. It was similar to that of an LDS church, however the pulpit was lower and was designed slightly different. I noticed a piano, but also a set of drums and guitar. I thought this to be interesting as I had never seen those items in a church meeting. I looked around and begun to notice that I was one of very few Caucasians in the room. Most of the congregation was of color and appeared to be African-American. However, I did notice a lady who looked of Asian descent. I also noticed that there were a group of older ladies sitting together towards the front of the room. They were all wearing big hats that matched their dresses. I also noticed that many of the people were dressed in nice dress clothes, however not all were dressed in what I would consider “Sunday Best”. As I made the observations, I noticed that they were different from those in which I was accustomed to in the LDS religion. I also noticed that I was making these comparisons against the LDS religion, however I had not be active in that religion for 10 years. I found this to be interesting, as it is probably the religion that I most identify with.
The room got quite as a man stood at the pulpit and welcomed the congregation. The prayer was given and then the choir came to the stage. We were invited to stand and join them in song. I was a little nervous at first, not knowing if I would know the songs. However, many were similar or the same to ones I had sung in the LDS church. The lady I was sitting with handed me a hymn book so that I wouldn’t feel left out. After a few songs, the sacrament was given and offerings were asked. I found this to be so interesting, as it was done differently than ways that I was familiar with. The Pastor was then announced and joined the pulpit, with the choir leaving the stage.
The Pastor began to talk about the story of David and Bathsheba. This was a story that I was vaguely familiar with, but couldn’t remember much of the details. However, I found it interesting to listen to him, as the way in which he was telling the story was less formal than I had heard it told before. I noticed a couple of men go up to the instruments on stage, but at that time the story took a turn. The pastor started to get passionate and the congregation began to get vocal. As the story got to its climax, the pastor said something that I will never forget. Up until this point, he had started to lose my attention, however it was what he said that caught my attention. In talking about the relationship of David and Bathsheba he stated, “They hooked up, then hooked up again… and then Bathsheba got knocked up!” Some of the ladies in the front row gasped and mumbled words of shock. This statement took me by surprised as it was presented so informally and blunt. A little shocked, I was drawn in to the situation and was anticipating what would happen next. The drums started to pound, the pastor continued his sermon, and began to start dancing around. The guitar chimed in, the piano added to the sermon and the Pastor was soon singing and dancing around the pulpit. I am not quite sure when the choir joined the stage, but soon everyone was on their feet.
Standing on my feet, I joined in with the congregation. People were dancing and singing along with the choir. As I watched, I tried to understand what was happening. It was all so new to me and I didn’t quite know what to do or what to think. After the sermon and singing, we closed with prayer and I sat quietly on my bench. The lady next to me asked what I thought and I explained to her that this was all so new to me and I found it to be very fun and interesting. We talked for a few minutes and then she invited me to join her in the lobby. I was greeted by many more members and even met the Pastor.
During my drive home I reflected on this experience. I learned so much and enjoyed this experience so much. The people in which I observed were sound in their faith and you could feel their passion for it. Although I thought the Pastor’s sermon to be somewhat over exaggerated, I enjoyed the music and singing immensely. I also thought of how my own personal experiences with the LDS church were influencing my views on both the meeting itself and the topic of the sermon. As I tried to not compare, I found that it was something I did without thinking. It was then that it dawned on me that this is what we do when we encounter new things. I also found myself planning when I would return to this church and that I had a sense of belonging to it. I’m not sure if it was the friendliness of the people or my desire to learn that has led me to want to go back.
Viewing a subject in which we have been taught during our lives in way and then seeing it taught in a different way can evoke a variety of emotions. To some it can be troubling and disturbing as it goes against their beliefs. To others it can spark curiosity and a desire to learn. When it comes to religion and Christ, many tend to reject beliefs that are opposing to their own. For me, I welcomed the opportunity to learn. Although I have not fully grasped the Baptist religion, I have had a taste as to what it is like. I am able to understand my friends more fully now and have a way of connecting with them on a different level. This experience has not only opened my eyes, but has provided me with an opportunity to grow.
