In the beginning . . . .

This is a blog about growing up Covie. "Covie" is a dimunitive form of Covenanter. Now you know what I am talking about, right? What in the world is a Covie?

To answer that question let me explain the title of the blog. First, "recovering"--well, the connotation of that word in today's therapeutic-saturated society is, of course, that some time in the past a person was involved in something that was not particularly healthy in emotional and/or physical ways. The second word, "Covenanter," may take more explanation. I used to belong to the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America which traces its heritage back to the Scottish Covenanters. For history buffs, visit http://scottishcovenanters.org/

The RPCNA is a tiny denomination. The official website of the denomination (http://reformedpresbyterian.org/) does not list the membership (or at least I couldn't find it), but Wikipedia lists it at little over 6500. Rick Warren's Saddleback Church can seat 3500. The big PCUSA has 2.3 million members. You can see why I call it tiny.

If you were to attend a Sunday (Covies prefer Sabbath or Lord's Day) service and have worshiped in other Protestant denominations, what might strike you as odd is the absence of hymnals and musical instruments. The pew contains a Bible--no surprise there. NIV translation; NOT NRSV! In place of the hymnal is a psalter. Pastors and choir members (if there is a choir) wear no robes. There may be stained glass windows or not. There is definitely a minimalist fill to the sanctuary and its accoutrements. But though minimalist in outward decor, the theology is hardly minimalist. More on that later.

Stay tuned.