Mount Angel Abbey

For this project I spent time with the Monks at the Mount Angel Abbey. Two students I have been hanging out with have been wanting to go there, so I invited them along. Isaac was excited to experience something he hadn't before, and Aidan came from an Episcopalian church... so he felt most at home there.  We went to the 7:25pm "Bells for Compline" chant. It ended up being a really cool experience. We showed up about 10 minutes early, grabbed out seats and waited to hear the ringing of the bells indicating that the chants were about to begin. When they did, monks from all over the grounds came flooding into the chapel. I told Aiden he would have to direct me in what to do--when do bow, when to kneel, when to chant back at the priest. Having him there was a fun dynamic.

To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing the majority of the time. I wanted to be an active participant in what was going on to say that I really experienced everything that was going on there. Sometimes even at my home church Salem Alliance, I find myself in worship looking around and observing others worship. It is powerful to see others in worship, to see how they connect with God and what they need spiritually form him. Some people are energetic in worship, others are more solemn and peaceful. Seeing how others worship God brings me to worship. Hanging out with my Monk friends, I don't think I have ever seen such a reverence for God. Such an appreciation for God that goes deeper and wider than respect or honor. It is easy for me, sometimes, to emphasize the relational aspect of God over the Creator of the world. 

Isaac, Aidan and I had a really good conversation after this experience. We talked about how many different congregations their are, how many different ways of worship, and how different religious lifestyles there are. We all agreed that we couldn't pin what we experienced the abbey as wrong... just different. I walked away from the Abbey realizing that while each congregation may have its strengths and weaknesses, triumphs and areas of sin, who is to say one better than the other? I love my home Salem Alliance, I think we do things well here. I believe we are well balanced and healthy. I would wonder what a Monk from the Abbey would have to say about one of our church services however. 

In sum, I think seeing other churches in how they fellowship and worship God is a very healthy practice. It allows you to step back and assess what you're doing right, and what could use some tweaking in how you view God and life with him.