Ashley - Post 5

This week I would like to talk about the importance of church communities. Growing up, with both of

my parents being pastors, I was perhaps a bit spoiled in the church. I never had to worry about

where I would turn to for my faith because I had two communities who welcomed me with open

arms. I was constantly being overwhelmed with Godly church love. 

Both communities offered me something different, as well. My father's church was located in the

town we lived in and therefore most of my friends from school attended service with me. My mother's

church, on the other hand, was about a 20 min drive away. However, I connected with the youth and

adults at that church in a way which made me excited to worship there on Sunday’s. 

Looking back, having these two communities in Christ stood as the backbone to my faith. It was

easy to see myself as religious and to ensure that I was committed to the Christian practices when I

had two church communities there to hold me accountable. 

Toronto has been a very different experience for me. It has been very difficult for me to find a

community. Over the past three years of living here I have attended five or six different churches, all

looking for the right fit for me. But - none of them have been the right church for me. Although, I do

have to be honest and admit that I have not been strict enough with myself in my practices. 

This summer has presented itself as unique. I have felt as if we have all connected very well and

have created our own faith based community despite being online. While I am grateful for this - it

also has made me reconsider what I had assumed a church community had to be. Its possible that

moving forward, church does not have to be physical. PErhaps for me my connection with God is not

thriving in person but may thrive through private practice and connection with amazing people - like

ViaFaith and Alex. 

I have not yet fully developed this understanding yet but I know that from this summer, my

fundamental understanding of church has shifted.