First Congregational Church in Elgin asks 'how' questions

"I can't recall ever being asked what Christians believe," says the Rev. Paris Donehoo, senior pastor of the First Congregational Church of Elgin. "Most people outside the church think they know the answers, or they just aren't interested."

The problem, says Donehoo, is that churches usually focus on the content of belief, the "what" questions, which no one is asking. But sociologist Diana Butler-Bass sees many people asking "how" questions of faith. "How can I know there is a God?" "How do I believe?" "How does this make sense?" "How would believing this make my life different?" "How would this change the world?"

Beginning on Sunday, Sept. 7, Donehoo and associate pastor the Rev. Lois Bucher will be addressing the "how" questions each Sunday in both the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 256 E. Chicago St. in downtown Elgin.

Some of the topics will be:

• How do I know there is a God?

• How do I connect with God?

• How do I know what is true?

• How do I give my life meaning?

• How do I love God when bad things happen to me and the people I love?

• How do I "keep on keeping on?"

For a full list of the questions and the Sundays on which they will be addressed, visit www.fcc-elgin.org or call (847) 741-4045.

"At our church," Donehoo says, "doubts and questions are encouraged and everyone is welcome - really."