Gen, thanks for explaining more about where you're coming from, re: your own view of God. You've expressed it very well, you writer. :) And for the most part, I agree with this: "I do think that the person for whom Church is an alienating, distracting, or otherwise superfluous experience, should follow his or her conscience and not go, should seek out a better self through another avenue." That's what I did for a while, after all, when I felt aIienated by the church. I just hope that those people don't decide to shut out God for good, just because one or two church experiences were frustrating or empty. Even church can be redeemed at the right place, in the right time.

Chris, that helps a lot. Thanks for taking the time to share some background about "Divine Service." I had to laugh at myself after I asked you all of those questions, because my husband and I are always joking about that site "let me google that for you" (www.lmgtfy.com)—I realized I could have done the research on my own! It was good to hear it from your perspective, though. Lots to ponder...

Dave, I really like that idea—church as a "playground or test facility to see how one becomes the Church," and the importance of acting like the Church throughout the week. Which leaves us with the question "Does it work?" Are we testing, trying and learning anything, and then applying it outside of the walls of churches? Or are we letting other things get in the way?