Church of sweat
In an article in Blue Ridge Outdoors Dane Rauchenberg makes the claim that the "church" of running in the great outdoors may bring him more spiritual wisdom and tolerance than hunkering down in a pew. A critique behind his article is that church may need to rethink the "when" question of church? In addition, How might our worship experiences appeal to those who have active lifestyles, and who find great solace, beauty, and wisdom in the wonders of God's creation?
Church of Sweat
From Blue Ridge Outdoors
I was raised Catholic. Ironically, I have very little guilt left in me about skipping church these days. I guess my parents did a poor job of raising me in their chosen religion. However, they did instill in me a fantastic amount of faith, which I find far more important, and for that, I thank them. Now, this is not a scathing review of religion (and living in Utah would provide me with ample ammunition for such a discourse) but rather a review of personal faith gained by reaching out to a higher power in a different way.Having gone on a weekly basis to church growing up, with Sunday school afterward, and weekday classes to further my relationship with God, I have spent many hours sitting in a pew or with those who wished to inform me about what God wanted for me. Going to college and grad school, where Sunday mornings became the one day where I could actually sleep in, signaled the beginning of the end of my regular attendance to church. Running 52 Marathons in 2006 on weekends only was the death knell. However, I now consider myself far more faithful with at least as strong an understanding of a higher power than anyone who can quote a passage from Deuteronomy, let alone spell it. Running brought me this.
Self-centered, individualistic, god-on-the-golf-course spirituality. I think we've gone down this dead-end road before.
Posted by Paul Woodrum![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 1, 2010 12:14 PM
This is a good example of what Irvin Yalom called "Existential Spiritualities." Certainly outside the US, such as in New Zealand and Australia, these spiritualities have a much wider appeal than traditional "church." There seems to be little dialogue between traditionally-understood Christianity and these existential spiritualities. The lack of dialogue poses the threat of marginalizing the church further.
Philip Culbertson
Posted by revdoc![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 1, 2010 12:23 PM
I like to break a swet before Sunday morning service on my bike. It's part of my routine. I don't think it makes me closer to god or more spiritual than others by any means. I do think it's a way to glorify gods creation -my body. Memorizing scripture and prayers is a part of devotion. The more one reads and studies the more likely one will retain the writings. I like breaking a swet at the volunteer kitchen or in some matter that I think expresses the love of Jesus Christ for humanity.
[Editor's note: Thanks for this comment. We need your full name next time.]
Posted by jmh1![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 1, 2010 12:33 PM