That Old Time Feeling

This is the little country church that I've been attending since the first of the year. It is called Mud Pike American Baptist Church. It has a very small congregation. Many times only nine people are in attendance. I started going there because I was invited by the father of my best friend.

Even though I was baptized in the First Christian Church, a Disciples of Christ church, I've attended many different churches since I left my hometown. I tried to find a Disciples of Christ, but driving over 30 minutes to get to the church did not appeal to me. I've attended Catholic Churches with friends. I really like their traditions, but I was never interested in turning Catholic. I just like learning about different religions and their customs. If I attended church in town, I normally went to the Methodist Church. None of them gave me the feeling I used to have growing up.

When I went to the Mudpike Baptist, I was warmly welcomed. Of course, they all knew me because I'd had their kids in school. It took a while to shake the "teacher" they saw and just become someone who came to church. I listened to the most amazing minister. He was really windy, and he could have cut the time of the prayers. The prayers almost became a mini-sermon. He was African-American. Very odd for a county which is nearly 100% Caucasian--even though that is changing. Pastor Lyons gave such a sermon that it made me feel more at peace inside myself. I felt like I understood myself more and was able to be more peaceful with myself, and most importantly more understanding with my students. I only missed three Sundays, and that was because I was at a conference or on a vacation.

Many Sundays I could have stayed at home, but I didn't want to disappoint my friend who always said, "See you at church tomorrow." But you know, it wasn't just for him. It was for me. I didn't think my week was complete without my Sunday dose of Pastor Lyons' words.

Like everything, church has changed. Pastor Lyons "resigned." He drove every Sunday over 80 miles from Louisville to preach, but the attendance wasn't growing. He had been up against race cultures as well as country/city cultures. It didn't matter that his words applied to all. Sometimes Christians don't behave like Christians. Therefore, two weeks ago he spoke for the last time at the little country church.

The doors of Mud Pike American Baptist church are not far from closing for the last time. It will be a sad day.