World Without End

My number one reason for studying abroad was to be exposed to global Lutheranism and global Christianity. While I know a great deal about the Church in America, the only things I know about the Church around the world are from books and stories. I wanted to see it firsthand. So I made it a priority to attend at least one service in a Church of England parish and a Church of Scotland parish during my time here.
You already know about my experience at Canterbury Cathedral's Evensong service. Canterbury Cathedral is an Anglican church (Church of England). As is the great building above. This is King's College Chapel. It's famous for it's Christmas service every year which features its boy's choir. It always opens with my favorite Christmas hymn: Once in Royal David's City. Nine times out of ten, when you see a picture of Cambridge University on a postcard, in a book, or anywhere really, it's this building right here that's featured.
This chapel is said to have one of the best, if not the best, boy's choir in the world. I was told by many people that I had to go to Evensong and hear them at least once before leaving Europe. So today, three friends and I trekked downtown to King's College to worship in their chapel. I think it's fair to say the choir did not disappoint. It was a similar experience to Canterbury's Evensong, except the inside of Canterbury was much prettier, while the inside of King's was a bit dark and unimpressive compared to the outside.
I really enjoyed both Church of England Evensong's I've been to, but I don't enjoy their theology. The Church is far more liberal than I had realized. While they keep a uniquely Christian worship style, they have conformed to the world in the way of their theology and values by embracing female ordination, homosexual behavior, macro-evolution... you name it. Maybe that's why 95% of the country doesn't go to church anymore. It has become too similar to the world... So why not just go to the world?
After this musically beautiful service, I went back to the Northwest Cambridge and attended the evening service of a Presbyterian congregation (Church of Scotland). It was simple, reverent, and conservative. Even though Cambridge Presbyterian Church does not represent the whole of the Church of Scotland, I enjoyed worshiping with them, and I look a bit more favorably toward the Church of Scotland than the Church of England.
While I have adored attending different European churches from time to time, my favorite part of my experience here so far has been befriending conservative Christians from all over the world. I've had fellowship with brothers and sisters in the faith from Madagascar, Ghana, the UK, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Croatia, and all over the United States. I also have had the privilege of learning about what the Church is like in each country from first-hand sources, enlightening me to global Lutheranism and global Christianity. I'm excited to come back home with all the experiences and knowledge I now have. But I've still got a lot to learn.