Check the Lane Before You Move

It was ingrained in me in drivers’ education, by my mom, and reinforced when our kids went through driver’s training.  Always, always, always, do a head check.  Don’t trust your mirror.  If you are like me, that well-established habit has saved you more than once from moving over into a lane that is already occupied.

I should have used that solid advice and checked my surroundings the day I dropped our youngest off for her drivers’ ed class.  Let’s just say it is embarrassing when you crash into a light pole in the parking lot when you are dropping off your kid for training that will teach her how to drive safely.

Oh how I hoped nobody in her class could see me.  I actually had to call a tow truck because of the damage.  

Seriously, it’s not like I was moving fast or anything.

Checking first is a good thing to remember, whether you are driving a car, or switching churches. Years ago a good friend of mine was thinking about leaving her church and I suggested that before she decided on a new one, that she dig deep.  What do they believe?  How long have they been established?  What is their history?  Do they teach their members to judge others or to be loving and merciful?  Where do they stand on moral issues?

As any parent tries to teach their children, we don’t choose a church because they have good pizza and music.  Although these can be a nice touch for social gatherings, they are not a qualifying factor for deciding where you want to lay your commitment of faith.

For years I was privileged to walk with people who were *joining the Catholic Church.  More than once they told me that in the church they were coming from, they always felt judged, and that with the exposure of any personal fault, they felt condemnation.  They were so shocked (and admittedly relieved) that this is not the practiced pattern in the Catholic Church. 

Of course, that is also not the practice in every non-Catholic church either.  I know people of faith who belong to different denominations who truly exemplify Christ in their actions.  Often more so than some Catholics!

But that is not my point.  The point is, if you cannot seem to settle on a Church, or have given up finding one that suits you, it may be helpful if you do not limit yourself to a few worship services or social gatherings. 

Do your research.  Go online.  Have several one-on-one conversations with the pastor so you can see how they operate.  Are they solely committed to scripture, or do they also recognize *Tradition (both oral and written) that has been set down by the early church Fathers?  Be sure you have the whole body of God’s revelation, before you make your decision.

Please don’t move fast on this one.  I highly recommend that you do your head check first!

Janet Cassidy

Janetcassidy.com

*For RCIA info, click here.  RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults into the Catholic Church. 

For an informative, in-depth treatment of the Catholic understanding of Tradition, check out this website.