Out of all the beliefs that make up Christianity, none is more consequential and significant than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. No other major religion in the world proposes that their spiritual leader rose from the dead. Conquering the grave is an impossibility that only the most powerful God in existence can do. The result of Christ’s resurrection is the reconciliation of humans to God. It signifies the promise that we, too, we will resurrected from death and given a new and improved body. Christians worship a God who is not buried six feet underground, but one who defeated the sting of death and is currently alive! What better way to celebrate this glorious event in history and its effects on us today than to worship this God at an organized church service. This past Easter weekend, I, along with my fiancée, had the wonderful privilege of visiting the Omaha Vineyard Church for their Sunday morning service. Located at 132nd St. and Industrial Road, the building that housed the church looked like the other industrial business buildings around it. Thinking it was an odd location for a church, I had to double check the name before we parked and went inside. I wish that while visiting a church gathering I could simply enjoy worshipping God without critiquing everything in my head. Unfortunately, my tendency is to judge and critique. And perhaps that is what a guest is allowed to do. I simply hope that I do not live my life judging everything that happens and critiquing how people live their lives. For what right to I have to judge another’s system? First impressions are often the most important aspect of a relationship. It sets the tone and introduces the environment. This is why the front entrances of important buildings are designed so magnificently. The term façade refers to the front of an impressive building, but also carries a negative tone in describing a false or superficial appearance. So while first impressions are significant, they also can be an inaccurate representation of the relationship that may follow. With that said, the first impression I received when entering the building of the Vineyard Church was a positive one. A young lady behind a desk probably saw the blank looks on our faces because she initiated a conversation with us and asked if we were looking for something or someone. Before we could answer, she pointed out the way to the restrooms and the sanctuary, the two most important locations in a church, and invited us to grab some coffee from the refreshments table. Ironically, my fiancée told me to leave our Scooters coffee drinks in the car because she felt it rude to bring coffee into a church gathering. At this gathering, the coffee helped create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. So while I am not a fan of turning our church atriums into coffee shops, something like coffee and tea does create a desirable relaxed atmosphere. We explained that we were visiting the church for the first time and meeting up with Beth Anne’s cousins. After we said the name of the family we were meeting, the kind lady knew exactly where that family was and directed us that way. As we walked into the sanctuary, another greeter handed me a guest packet that explained the mission and programs of the church. I met friendly people right away and never felt like an awkward displaced guest. We found my fiancée’s cousins and sat with them in their row near the front. After greeting them, I was smiled upon from whom I will call “Mr. Grin,” who had the largest smile on his face accented by a delicious goatee. Later I found out that he was the music leader. A man dressed in blue jeans and a button down collared shirt was the first to come forward. He was a friendly chap who invited everyone to the service and opened up with a prayer. Later I found out that he was the pastor and interestingly, the father of Mr. Grin. They looked awfully similar with their grins and facial hair, and my hunches of their relation were confirmed later when I asked Beth Anne’s cousin about who the pastor was. I glanced around me to see if I could recognize anybody. The only person I recognized outside of Beth Anne’s relatives was the girl in the row in front of me. She goes to my school and is in a class or two with me. I did not know her name, but later I found out that she is the daughter of the pastor and sister of Mr. Grin, though she had no facial hair to help me see the family resemblance. Oh, what a family! So before I even said a word to any of these people, I had prejudged that they were a delightfully joyful family. There I go again, judging people before I meet them. Mr. Grin and the music team stood up and went on to the stage to lead the congregation in song. Before he started, he made an invitation that I have heard so many times at the beginning of other church services and university chapels. Because we all are individuals but worship the same God, it was an invitation to worship in whatever way we felt led. We could stand up or sit, raise our hands high or leave them in our pockets, and even kneel somewhere and pray with someone. I rolled my eyes at the invitation because I have attended very few formal church services that actually believe and live that out. Without instructions to stand for song, Mr. Grin and his team started into the music and worship time. I expected everyone to stand anyway because that is what Christians do at their once-per-week gatherings when the music time starts. Yet, as I glanced around the room, I saw that about half of the people remained sitting while the other half stood. I questioned whether or not the church was unified because they did not all stand and sit at the same time, but I concluded that the church was unified in their different worship styles. And I felt a revelationizing (I think I just made up that word) feeling that I have not felt in years! I could stand, sing, and worship my God while having my hands in my pocket, a gesture that usually communicates that I do not care. And right there, in the fourth seat of the third row of the Omaha Vineyard Church at 132nd St. and Industrial Road, I was not judged for keeping my hands in my pocket. Oh, what a feeling! The people of the Vineyard Church were friendly and did not let me sneak by and disappear into a back row, but were not too overbearing on my freedom and individuality either. Their smiling faces communicated their joy for the resurrected Christ as we gathered to celebrate that glorious day when God defeated death. And they truly meant it when they invited me to worship God in whatever way that suited me. After that revelation, I decided that it is immature of me to critique and judge the church service and its people when they accepted me for who I was. Still, I post this critical expression of my views. Oh, what a hypocrite I really am. | 
