The Church Experiment

A Spiritual Seeker Visits 52 Religious Gatherings in 52 Weeks

De: Steve Fuller

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

I spent the first 23 years of my life without religion. I believed in a vague "god," but didn't attend church and didn't think very highly of people who did. They seemed weird and judgmental. After a positive experience in college with a man who would later become my spiritual mentor, I became a Christian in 2000 and dove in head first. I attended church, read the Bible, prayed, joined small groups, served the poor, evangelized to the lost, worked at a megachurch for a couple of years, spoke at Christian events, and helped plant a new church. But something was missing. On trips from my home in Cincinnati, Ohio to northern cities like Dayton and Toledo, I would drive past the statue that famously became known as Touchdown Jesus (or "Big Butter Jesus" as one song mocked). "Who are these people?" I thought. "And why would they ever construct a giant statue of Jesus in front of their church?" Then, an idea popped into my head: "What if I go inside and find out?" The Church Experiment was born. Over the next 52 weeks, I visited 52 religious gatherings and wrote about the variety of experiences—good, bad, and ugly. I tried my best to keep an open mind as I took part in the unique customs of each specific denomination. Having no idea what I would encounter, I ultimately experienced a wide range of religions and denominations. From an Anglican Church in Savannah, Georgia, to the Church of Scientology in Cincinnati, Ohio. From a Muslim Mosque to a Hindu Temple. Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and nondenominational. I was the only white person in an all-black church, and one of twenty people in a Church of God. I had a pastor try to knock me to the ground with prayer, and a pastor who probably wanted to knock me to the ground with a swift right cross. Each week, I waded into uncharted waters to experience God in new, exciting, uncomfortable ways. I could have never been prepared for what happened. I invite you to travel the long path with me in this book. I am certain God has something to teach all of us along the way.