One of the things I loved about church was the routine. It was just what we did on a Sunday morning, we went to church.
I remember being in a Bible study group and someone commented that church shouldn’t be routine… however I can see that that routine helped me and helped my faith grow and stay.
Every Sunday, we would go to church. We would see, mostly, the same people. We were often involved in the service so already knew the songs. The pew sheet always told us what the readings were and the topic of the sermon and kids talk. We knew whether or not there was Sunday School (it wasn’t on in the school holidays, but we knew to expect colouring sheets). The prayer book meant that the services followed a predictable pattern and we knew what the responses were. Even if we went to a different church, they were all pretty much the same.
A standard church service usually involves some songs, prayers, Bible readings, sermons, and some more songs. If there was communion it was usually at the end of the service and followed a standard format. This format was fairly consistent with different denominations, though how communion was handed out was sometimes different.
For most churches, the minister or service leader would tell us what was happening next, so it was familiar, safe.
We were told when to stand or sit or kneel, though I never liked kneeling. Most songs were simple and, even if there was a band, they weren’t loud and ‘full on’. Often it would be a simple piano or organ.
The only churches I really didn’t like were the ‘mega’ churches. These were usually Pentecostal churches and were huge! The singing was high energy and there were lights and other effects. For me, it was sensory overload. I also really struggled as people would wave their hands in worship or prayer and I didn’t know what to do. Was I supposed to behave like that too? I always feel really uncomfortable in those environments. I’ve heard them referred to as churches for extroverts!
Church provided a space that was safe and familiar. Many of the people who have made a difference in my life have come from the various churches I have attended and have been very special to me, even if only for a short while.
Church was also a place to get involved. We would be encouraged to do this from a young age, from being part of the welcoming family at the door, to writing prayers to deliver in the service, to doing Bible readings, playing music in the band, performing during kids talks, and even being the service leader when I was 18. There were so many opportunities to practice my gifts and do the things I enjoyed. This was a space where I was supported to do this in a way that I wasn’t at school. When my kids were growing up, I was disappointed there weren’t the same opportunities for them.
Church was a routine, it was just what we did. I did miss it the years when I didn’t attend, and I’m glad that I’m back, though I am being a lot kinder to myself and allowing me to put my health first, as I used to not do that… Looking back, I realise how important those communities and routines were to this undiagnosed AuDHD girl.
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