"Many Christians find that their fellow congregants play no more crucial a role in their daily lives than the people they walk past in the grocery store. They share a common experience from time to time and receive services from the same organization, but little else."
~ Doug Pagitt
My dream is to have a community of faith where believers become involved in one another's lives in , meaningful and transformative ways. Somehow that hasn't really happened in my experience yet. We are all so busy and scheduled and preoccupied that there is little time left over to invest in others. We have added so much to church haven't we? So many programs and committees to keep us busy.
Not exactly sure what the solution is but I am hopeful, very hopeful that it can and will happen. I think the first step may be a little less doing church and a little more being church with those in the grocery stores as well as the pews.
Yes, I like that.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
You my friend are absolutely right. In the grocery store, in the hockey arena, walking the dog. I'm learning it and starting to prove it. Had coffee with a friend on Monday who is asking tons of questions and searching. I met her at the baseball field and we've been friends for a few years now. You know what? - I trust her, I love her and I'm watching her as a seeker and I KNOW that one day she will accept Christ. It's amazing and it's unlike anything I ever experienced in church. You know what else? I mentioned how cool it would be to have a Home Church (seeing I'm having a hard time finding "the place") and she said she and her husband would attend. What kind of challenge is that? Let's see how I respond. By the way - I have done way too much church in the past - I'm working on being the church. I'm trying hard to invest in others. Here's to 2005. Cathie
Cathie,
I was going to suggest it before, home church-try it. Gathering a group of neighbours in your living room for worship and the Word Ahh how fulfilling, intimate and meaningful would that be. Then maybe once a month or so, the whole group could go to a larger worship gathering together.
Some of my most memorable times spiritually were in settings like that. I remember laying around on the old sofas at camp talking with a few about God and the church, our thoughts, questions, joys and struggles-its in those times I sense God most vividly.
You know its funny. I wasn't really looking for it - but we found it. It is amazing when you find your spiritual family and its weird too - because then you realise how superficial other relationships can be.
Hang in there Cathie and I think that is an awesome idea - your community is whatever you make it to be and that sounds like you are on the right track for you.
When we are not with our home church for a few weeks - I miss them terribly and it is great when we get back together. We are having a thing tonight - one of our people is sick and we are having a prayer vigil tonight with anointing of oil. Sounds weird if you aren't totally into it- but what is awesome is that everyone who will be there - will be there because they love her and care for her and are sincere..... awesome.
Heather
it's my dream too leslie. I hear you.
Sorry last anon was from me -- Anj at bestand worst.
Post a Comment