The reasons I began this adventure to find a new church were:
A need for life application from the sermon,
stronger leadership,
more Christ,
and a need/desire to be a part of a faith community.
****
Near the end of 2012, we received a pledge card from our Presbyterian church in the mail.
I believe that pledging is important so that the church can develop a budget for the upcoming year. So after much internal debate, I called the Financial Secretary to tell her that we would not be pledging for 2013, explaining that we have been searching for a new church, and actually had not been to this church since May of 2012.
Coincidentally? Later that day I arrived home to a message on our answering machine saying that although we had not participated in the pictorial directory at the church, there were some openings over the next few weekends, and to call and make our appointment.
So.....I made another call to say that we were not going to participate since we were not currently attending the church.
Later that day (not coincidentally) I received a nice email from the pastor asking if we would like to meet with him, if a discussion would be helpful.
I had to laugh because I knew that Wonderful Husband was not interested in a meeting especially since looking for a new church had been my idea. But just to make sure, I did discuss it with him and yes, I was correct.
I made an appointment with the pastor telling him that it would only be me attending since I initiated the idea of visiting other churches.
The meeting with the pastor went very well. I explained why we had been visiting other churches (see bolded list above). But I also told him how thankful we were for the years we've attended the church. The Sunday School classes that our children attended, youth programs, Women's Bible Study, and the many people of the church who had impacted all of our lives. I thanked him for his Christ-like grace in reaching out to our unexpected (yet blessing of our) granddaughter and really left the meeting filled with peace.
Peace in explaining our decision to him and peace in moving forward (with his blessing) toward our next church.
****
Initially I was going to use the title "Our Church Decision" for this post but after having a discussion with Wonderful Husband, he has decided not to join the United Methodist church with me. He will be sitting beside me on Sundays but will wait until he retires and we relocate to join a church.
I could go into my explanation of his decision but that is really his story to tell.
Maybe one day he'll start a blog and explain?
Nah, probably not. Ha!
****
I have been attending a weekly Bible Study at the United Methodist church and after Easter my plan is to meet with the pastor and ask how I can become a member of the church.
****
I am very thankful for God leading me through this journey in finding a new church. He has been faithful in directing my steps and my decision and I am blessed.
****
If you're interested in reading the entire series, I've linked all my posts below.
The series recap:
From Thought to Action
Wonderful Christian Women
United Methodist Visit
Non-Denominational Visit
Presbyterian Visit
Lutheran Visit
Thank you for following along.
Have you ever changed churches or thought about it?
I'd love to hear your story.
Showing posts with label Finding Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finding Church. Show all posts
Friday, March 1, 2013
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Lutheran Visit
If you wish, you can read:
Part 1 From Thought to Action
Part 2 Wonderful Christian Women
Part 3 United Methodist Visit
Part 4 Non Denominational Visit
and
Part 5 Presbyterian Visit
Recently I was watching Dr. David Jeremiah on TV and he pointed out that one cure for immaturity in faith is "exposure to teaching that goes beyond the basics."
Yes.
****
We were driving through town and Wonderful Husband pointed at a Lutheran church saying, "We haven't visited there yet." So our next visit was to the local Lutheran church.
The first service was at 8:00 a.m., earlier than we are used to yet we arrived in time for the beginning of the service.
My thoughts:
- The simple beauty of the sanctuary with sun streaming through the small stained glass windows and refracting onto the opposite wall.
- The sermon was about putting on the full amour of God.
- Battles, technology and 3 references to Presbyterians.
- The pastor quoted authors, movie stars, newspaper articles, NPR, and deceased preachers.
- We sang "Onward Christian Soldiers." A song remembered from my childhood.
- The organist and trumpeter were unseen (somewhere behind).
- Picked up a visitor's welcome bag and the surprise of a loaf of homemade bread inside.
- Afterward I told Wonderful Husband that I had felt absolutely battered by words.
- A very intellectual preacher with not much spiritual nourishment included.
- Not a soothing worship experience to say the least.
- Not going back for sure.
It was not terribly disruptive, yet it made me think about the future. The husband that brings his (early dementia) wife to church to worship, and how much longer he'll be able to do that. Was he able to enjoy his worship time? Was she?
I've been thinking about our future of maybe facing that one day.
The fear of the unknown perhaps.
Time to pull my mind off that "slippery slope."
I am thankful we visited this church.
****
The reasons we began this adventure to find a new church were:
I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ, and a need/desire to be a part of a faith community.
to be continued....
Friday, August 31, 2012
Presbyterian Visit
Finding Church
If you wish, you can read
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
and
Part 4
I've discovered that while I think of myself as being contemporary in my heart....I'm really traditional in my soul. I must admit I'm a bit disappointed in that lesson.
Live and learn.
As a reminder, I am currently a member of a Presbyterian church. So you shouldn't be surprised that the next church we visited was....
wait for it
....a Presbyterian church!
During the summer, my church had Adult Vacation Bible School led by a guest pastor from a local Presbyterian church. One of my Bible Study buddies sent me his outlines from each of the five days he taught the group. She liked his message and said she'd like to go and visit his church sometime. The seed was planted.
Wonderful Husband, our son and I went to the church and it was quite a driving adventure. Windy, narrow, Pennsylvania roads and all I could think of was that there would be no way for me to drive there during a heavy rain...or snow, but Wonderful Husband did a great job on finding the Presbyterian church which was founded in 1811.
We parked and walked into the sanctuary where we saw a plaque that said it had been renovated in 1875. The pews had cushioned seats but in the center of each pew were wooden dividers. I had never seen anything like it before. I was seated with a divider on my left and on the other side of it was "a little old lady." (Actually there were three.)
Confession: I told Wonderful Husband and our son on the walk from the parking lot that there was going to be a short meeting after the service. There may have been some moans and groans from the men-folk. I then explained that we could have an escape plan: immediately after the benediction, we could quickly exit.
My thoughts:
The sermon had a couple good points.
1. Peace can't be found externally but internally through the Holy Spirit, and
2. Be open to God's gifts.
Wonderful Husband helped me figure out that the pastor was a prefacer, a preambler, a prologuer. (My bad for making up these words.)
prologue - a preliminary discourse; a preface or introductory part of a discourse, poem or novel
from Dictionary.com
I thought he was beginning his sermon but it was a preface to the sermon. In fact, every time he spoke it was a prologue to what was going to be said next.
Have you ever known anyone who prefaces almost everything they say?
Here's an extreme example: "I know you don't care but what do you want for dinner tonight?"
If someone said this to me I would be thinking, "Why do they think I don't care?" instead of what I want for dinner. So my mind is processing the first part and missing the second part for a while. I'm playing catch-up when I realize what is happening next is the important part.
That's how we felt during the sermon and other parts of the service. We were processing the wrong thing(s) and not catching up very quickly to the points the pastor was trying to make.
Let me end on an up-note though. It was the friendliest church we had visited so far. You could feel the love the people had toward each other and toward us visitors too. A member got up to share how thankful he was for the congregation's support and gave details of his family's struggles with health issues. The pastor was patient and listened as did the entire congregation. It was very touching.
Recently I was watching Dr. David Jeremiah on TV and he pointed out that one cure for immaturity in faith is "exposure to teaching that goes beyond the basics."
Yes.
to be continued....
If you wish, you can read
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
and
Part 4
I've discovered that while I think of myself as being contemporary in my heart....I'm really traditional in my soul. I must admit I'm a bit disappointed in that lesson.
Live and learn.
As a reminder, I am currently a member of a Presbyterian church. So you shouldn't be surprised that the next church we visited was....
wait for it
....a Presbyterian church!
During the summer, my church had Adult Vacation Bible School led by a guest pastor from a local Presbyterian church. One of my Bible Study buddies sent me his outlines from each of the five days he taught the group. She liked his message and said she'd like to go and visit his church sometime. The seed was planted.
Wonderful Husband, our son and I went to the church and it was quite a driving adventure. Windy, narrow, Pennsylvania roads and all I could think of was that there would be no way for me to drive there during a heavy rain...or snow, but Wonderful Husband did a great job on finding the Presbyterian church which was founded in 1811.
We parked and walked into the sanctuary where we saw a plaque that said it had been renovated in 1875. The pews had cushioned seats but in the center of each pew were wooden dividers. I had never seen anything like it before. I was seated with a divider on my left and on the other side of it was "a little old lady." (Actually there were three.)
Confession: I told Wonderful Husband and our son on the walk from the parking lot that there was going to be a short meeting after the service. There may have been some moans and groans from the men-folk. I then explained that we could have an escape plan: immediately after the benediction, we could quickly exit.
My thoughts:
- A small church.
- A traditional Presbyterian service like we have at our church.
- A treat when the pastor introduced 3 new members and seemed to personally know them.
- The usual, yet unusual choice of summer music: a marimba (instrumental) solo.
- The sermon entitled "Keeping a Good Man Honest." I don't have a clue why he chose that title.
- A difference by being instructed to hold hands during the benediction. Then the funny thing happened. I was holding the little old lady's hand on my left and Wonderful Husband's hand on my right. After the benediction, the lady didn't release my hand but leaned over and said, "You're a first time visitor today?" (Please note that I had signed the Act of Friendship pad and checked off "First Time Visitor.") Yet I am always respectful of my elders. After all, I am an elder to many younger people now! I answered, "Yes and it was a blessing to worship with you today." I squeezed her hand gently and she released me. I turned to nudge Wonderful Husband and our son out of the pew and they were long gone! I had to jog to catch up with them in the parking lot! Ha!
The sermon had a couple good points.
1. Peace can't be found externally but internally through the Holy Spirit, and
2. Be open to God's gifts.
Wonderful Husband helped me figure out that the pastor was a prefacer, a preambler, a prologuer. (My bad for making up these words.)
prologue - a preliminary discourse; a preface or introductory part of a discourse, poem or novel
from Dictionary.com
I thought he was beginning his sermon but it was a preface to the sermon. In fact, every time he spoke it was a prologue to what was going to be said next.
Have you ever known anyone who prefaces almost everything they say?
Here's an extreme example: "I know you don't care but what do you want for dinner tonight?"
If someone said this to me I would be thinking, "Why do they think I don't care?" instead of what I want for dinner. So my mind is processing the first part and missing the second part for a while. I'm playing catch-up when I realize what is happening next is the important part.
That's how we felt during the sermon and other parts of the service. We were processing the wrong thing(s) and not catching up very quickly to the points the pastor was trying to make.
Let me end on an up-note though. It was the friendliest church we had visited so far. You could feel the love the people had toward each other and toward us visitors too. A member got up to share how thankful he was for the congregation's support and gave details of his family's struggles with health issues. The pastor was patient and listened as did the entire congregation. It was very touching.
Recently I was watching Dr. David Jeremiah on TV and he pointed out that one cure for immaturity in faith is "exposure to teaching that goes beyond the basics."
Yes.
to be continued....
Friday, August 24, 2012
Non-Denominational Visit
Finding Church
If you wish, you can read:
Part 1
Part 2
and
Part 3
From a post at Her.meneutics:
I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ. I am adding to my list my need/desire for a faith community.
The next church we visited was a non-denominational church.
A very large church.
We found our way to the auditorium, took our seats and the service began.
My thoughts:
"I liked it."
(Still a man of few words:)
My closing thought(s):
Live and learn.
To be continued....
If you wish, you can read:
Part 1
Part 2
and
Part 3
From a post at Her.meneutics:
"As Christians, we must seek after a personal relationship with Jesus Christ without neglecting the importance of a faith community providing discipleship and accountability along the journey." Lesley Sebek Miller
I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ. I am adding to my list my need/desire for a faith community.
The next church we visited was a non-denominational church.
A very large church.
We found our way to the auditorium, took our seats and the service began.
My thoughts:
- Very different from my more traditional experience.
- No cross to be seen. Overhead spotlights. Looking at a stage.
- Large auditorium with stadium seating, upstairs balcony too.
- Standing to sing praise songs with the words on the big screen.
- A Praise Band.
- Interesting use of technology in that during the offertory song the pastor asked for people to text what problem they have with forgiving others....and the texts appeared on the screens for us to read and the pastor adapted some into his sermon.
- The sermon "Why I Can't Forgive." A good topic and brought up The Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaching us to "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," but then he goes on to say that they don't say The Lord's Prayer very often during their services.
- Uh oh. Stop the train. I've always said The Lord's Prayer at church. (My Presby side is showing again.)
- A true multi-generational church. People with young kids, single people, couples our age...and older people too.
"I liked it."
(Still a man of few words:)
My closing thought(s):
- A nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want "to live there."
- Our son pointed out that I wouldn't have to join. Which is a valid point. Yet my purpose in looking for a new church is to make a commitment to the place and find a community. To me, that means to join.
- I've discovered that while I think of myself as being contemporary in my heart....I'm really traditional in my soul. I must admit I'm a bit disappointed in that lesson.
Live and learn.
To be continued....
Saturday, August 18, 2012
United Methodist Visit
You can read Part 1 here
and
Part 2 here.
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,[a] where our ancestors worshiped?”
21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:19-24 NLT (emphasis mine)
(NIV Study Bible Notes on John 4:24:
"God is spirit...worship in spirit and in truth. The place of worship (see vv.20-21) is irrelevant, because true worship must be in keeping with God's nature, which is spirit. 'True worshipers' (vs. 23) must worship God in the power (enablement) of his Spirit (reading 'in the Spirit') and in accordance with truth. In John's Gospel, truth is associated with Christ, a fact that has great importance for the proper understanding of Christian worship.")
What captured my attention was reading that the place of worship is irrelevant since true worship isn't defined by the geographical place/location. (And dare I say a specific denomination too? It actually took me many years to come to that conclusion.)
I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ.
Wonderful Husband and I visited a local United Methodist Church:
My thoughts:
Wonderful Husbands words when I asked what he thought:
"They had me at the Doxology."
(We used to sing the Doxology every week at our church, but haven't in a long time.)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
My husband is a man of few, yet meaningful words.
I have a friend who attends this church and some neighbors too. We didn't see anyone we knew, maybe because we like attending the early service which in this case begins at 8:15 a.m.
We picked up a Visitor's Bag on our way out which was very informative. It contained the latest newsletter, information about the church, worship, different ministries/opportunities, and one thing that really caught my eye is that they have a Card Ministry where "cards are sent to acknowledge both the cares and concerns of our members, to recognize their joys and special occasions."
Oh that made my heart happy! (In case you didn't know, years ago my friend Charlotte commented on my card ministry. I sent cards out for various reasons but must admit that I've hit a bit of a dry spell lately.)
Wonderful Husband was out of town the following Sunday so I went to the church by myself. Another good worship experience and we'll visit this church again.
From a post at Her.meneutics:
I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ. I am adding to my list my need/desire for a faith community.
To be continued....
and
Part 2 here.
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,[a] where our ancestors worshiped?”
21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:19-24 NLT (emphasis mine)
(NIV Study Bible Notes on John 4:24:
"God is spirit...worship in spirit and in truth. The place of worship (see vv.20-21) is irrelevant, because true worship must be in keeping with God's nature, which is spirit. 'True worshipers' (vs. 23) must worship God in the power (enablement) of his Spirit (reading 'in the Spirit') and in accordance with truth. In John's Gospel, truth is associated with Christ, a fact that has great importance for the proper understanding of Christian worship.")
What captured my attention was reading that the place of worship is irrelevant since true worship isn't defined by the geographical place/location. (And dare I say a specific denomination too? It actually took me many years to come to that conclusion.)
I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ.
Wonderful Husband and I visited a local United Methodist Church:
My thoughts:
- Different order to worship (I'm such a Presbyterian! Ha!).
- But I liked it better.
- Getting all the church "stuff" (announcements, offering, etc. "out of the way"), then moving on to full worship mode (sermon, closing hymn, benediction, postlude).
- The use of technology was good/different too. There were hymnals in the pews but the lyrics were also projected onto two large screens. The pastor showed a film clip from "The Ten Commandments," then he moved into his sermon about facing the "pharaohs" in our lives.
- The pastor? Very good. I took notes!
- Scripture was read from the both the Old Testament and New Testament.
- He also used a Youtube clip from the song "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden." (Do you remember that song? I do!)
- Bottom line, God never promised that facing our "pharaohs" would be easy but a broken spirit can be rebuilt into a whole soul through our relationship with Christ.
Wonderful Husbands words when I asked what he thought:
"They had me at the Doxology."
(We used to sing the Doxology every week at our church, but haven't in a long time.)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
My husband is a man of few, yet meaningful words.
I have a friend who attends this church and some neighbors too. We didn't see anyone we knew, maybe because we like attending the early service which in this case begins at 8:15 a.m.
We picked up a Visitor's Bag on our way out which was very informative. It contained the latest newsletter, information about the church, worship, different ministries/opportunities, and one thing that really caught my eye is that they have a Card Ministry where "cards are sent to acknowledge both the cares and concerns of our members, to recognize their joys and special occasions."
Oh that made my heart happy! (In case you didn't know, years ago my friend Charlotte commented on my card ministry. I sent cards out for various reasons but must admit that I've hit a bit of a dry spell lately.)
Wonderful Husband was out of town the following Sunday so I went to the church by myself. Another good worship experience and we'll visit this church again.
From a post at Her.meneutics:
"As Christians, we must seek after a personal relationship with Jesus Christ without neglecting the importance of a faith community providing discipleship and accountability along the journey." Lesley Sebek Miller
I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ. I am adding to my list my need/desire for a faith community.
To be continued....
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Wonderful Christian Women
Part 1 of my story is here.
For five years, I attended Thursday morning Women's Bible Study where my faith matured and I developed deeper relationships with my church community. Or as I call them, my Bible Study buddies.
I occasionally co-taught when Charlotte was out of town or sick. I even took a month (plus) off due to frustration with one woman I considered my "Christian challenge." God softened my heart through that bump in the road so when I returned to the group, I had a calm (more Christian?) attitude and understood that He puts all people in my life for His purpose and my benefit.
When Mimi decided to retire from sending out The Prayer List, I took over the job. The Prayer List made me a more consistent pray-er.
The different studies we worked through made me grow in my faith and I changed from being legalistic to being more grace-filled and mature in my faith. I learned about God's grace and mercy toward me, received comfort and prayers when our nephew died of adrenal cancer and when our daughter became pregnant. I understood that after a lifetime of going to church: God wanted a relationship with me and placed me with this group of women as an opportunity toward beginning that relationship through their fellowship.
I heard things from:
Dr. David Jeremiah who said: "Worship is not about us, it's about Him."
I learned that I should not put all the pressure/responsibility on my pastor to preach great sermons every Sunday.
I attend church to worship God in community.
From our son's pastor, who said during a sermon entitled "Conflict in the Church": "Don't focus on the messenger. Focus on the message. The message is Christ." Then later he said, "The church has a dual challenge: to love people and to challenge people to grow in Christ."
I read books:
Me, Myself, & Lies by Jennifer Rothschild
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst
The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey
Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist
The Fitting Room: Putting on the Character of Christ by Kelly Minter
Divided We Unite: Practical Christian Unity by Ed Cyzewski
You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be by Holley Gerth
Coffee Shop Conversations: Making the Most of Spiritual Small Talk by Dale & Jonalyn Fincher
The Colors of Hope: Becoming People of Mercy, Justice and Love by Richard Dahlstrom
Not a Fan. Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus by Kyle Idelman
During this time, I discovered that I need to be a part of a church community. Sunday worship sets the tone for my week. It realigns me toward God's will and helps me focus on and survive the week ahead.
I started working full-time and wasn't able to attend Bible Study anymore.
I craved community and joined an evening sermon study at my church during Lent. Yet two things became apparent to me as I was with a different, smaller group of people:
I was spoiled by my former relationship with my Bible Study buddies in that we had gone below the surface with scripture and life and this new group didn't, and
the sermon series didn't have "much meat to chew on." (And let me say that this Texas-raised girl believes in a good steak!)
I keep in touch with some of my buddies with coffee or breakfast on occasional Saturdays, but I personally felt something (Someone?) missing during my Sunday worship. I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ.
(At this point I should tell you that our church has over 1,800 members. What I find lacking is obviously not felt by many in our church. Which is fine, since this is my perspective and what is leading me to look for a new church community.)
It took quite a while, months really, to attend a different church. To step outside my comfort zone. Last Sunday, Wonderful Husband and I became first time visitors at a local United Methodist church.
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,[a] where our ancestors worshiped?”
21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:19-24 NLT (emphasis mine)
To be continued....
For five years, I attended Thursday morning Women's Bible Study where my faith matured and I developed deeper relationships with my church community. Or as I call them, my Bible Study buddies.
I occasionally co-taught when Charlotte was out of town or sick. I even took a month (plus) off due to frustration with one woman I considered my "Christian challenge." God softened my heart through that bump in the road so when I returned to the group, I had a calm (more Christian?) attitude and understood that He puts all people in my life for His purpose and my benefit.
When Mimi decided to retire from sending out The Prayer List, I took over the job. The Prayer List made me a more consistent pray-er.
The different studies we worked through made me grow in my faith and I changed from being legalistic to being more grace-filled and mature in my faith. I learned about God's grace and mercy toward me, received comfort and prayers when our nephew died of adrenal cancer and when our daughter became pregnant. I understood that after a lifetime of going to church: God wanted a relationship with me and placed me with this group of women as an opportunity toward beginning that relationship through their fellowship.
I heard things from:
Dr. David Jeremiah who said: "Worship is not about us, it's about Him."
I learned that I should not put all the pressure/responsibility on my pastor to preach great sermons every Sunday.
I attend church to worship God in community.
From our son's pastor, who said during a sermon entitled "Conflict in the Church": "Don't focus on the messenger. Focus on the message. The message is Christ." Then later he said, "The church has a dual challenge: to love people and to challenge people to grow in Christ."
I read books:
Me, Myself, & Lies by Jennifer Rothschild
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst
The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey
Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist
The Fitting Room: Putting on the Character of Christ by Kelly Minter
Divided We Unite: Practical Christian Unity by Ed Cyzewski
You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be by Holley Gerth
Coffee Shop Conversations: Making the Most of Spiritual Small Talk by Dale & Jonalyn Fincher
The Colors of Hope: Becoming People of Mercy, Justice and Love by Richard Dahlstrom
Not a Fan. Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus by Kyle Idelman
During this time, I discovered that I need to be a part of a church community. Sunday worship sets the tone for my week. It realigns me toward God's will and helps me focus on and survive the week ahead.
I started working full-time and wasn't able to attend Bible Study anymore.
I craved community and joined an evening sermon study at my church during Lent. Yet two things became apparent to me as I was with a different, smaller group of people:
I was spoiled by my former relationship with my Bible Study buddies in that we had gone below the surface with scripture and life and this new group didn't, and
the sermon series didn't have "much meat to chew on." (And let me say that this Texas-raised girl believes in a good steak!)
I keep in touch with some of my buddies with coffee or breakfast on occasional Saturdays, but I personally felt something (Someone?) missing during my Sunday worship. I need life application from the sermon, stronger leadership, more Christ.
(At this point I should tell you that our church has over 1,800 members. What I find lacking is obviously not felt by many in our church. Which is fine, since this is my perspective and what is leading me to look for a new church community.)
It took quite a while, months really, to attend a different church. To step outside my comfort zone. Last Sunday, Wonderful Husband and I became first time visitors at a local United Methodist church.
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,[a] where our ancestors worshiped?”
21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:19-24 NLT (emphasis mine)
To be continued....
Sunday, July 22, 2012
From Thought to Action
I've been thinking about it while listing out the pros and cons.
I've been talking it over with Wonderful Husband and probably making his head hurt.
Today instead of thinking and talking about it....we took action.
We visited a church.
Different from the one where we've been members for 17 years.
We are looking for a new church.
I'll try and explain how I got to (and through?) this place. If Wonderful Husband had his own blog, he'd explain it there himself. And it would probably look totally different.
So please understand this is only my perspective and experience.
******
I have always said that I was "born and raised Presbyterian."
I have always attended Presbyterian churches and although I did fall away from attending during the end of my teens and into my early twenties, I realized while I was pregnant with our first child that I wanted to raise our children in the church.
Which we did.
Once I joined a church (of my own choosing) as an adult, I served in many capacities.
In Maryland, I taught Sunday School, was an Elder and Clerk of Session, and a Vacation Bible School teacher.
I taught Vacation Bible School at the next church (in Pennsylvania) where we attended for six months.
We moved to another temporary home where we lived for one year and attended a new church where I began a Women's Bible Study group.
Finally, we arrived at our current home/location where we found a church where there were many youth activities available for our two children. I was a Vacation Bible School teacher, a Sunday School Teacher, a Kitchen Volunteer Coordinator, served on the Mission Committee, and developed/coordinated the Alternative Giving Program for three years before turning it over to the next person.
I learned a lot from each serving position.
During this time I also worked at a church (not where I was a member) and resigned after 5.75 years.
I learned a lot from that paid position too.
For five years, I attended Thursday morning Women's Bible Study where my faith matured and I developed deeper relationships with my church community. Or as I call them, my Bible Study buddies.
To be continued....
I've been talking it over with Wonderful Husband and probably making his head hurt.
Today instead of thinking and talking about it....we took action.
We visited a church.
Different from the one where we've been members for 17 years.
We are looking for a new church.
I'll try and explain how I got to (and through?) this place. If Wonderful Husband had his own blog, he'd explain it there himself. And it would probably look totally different.
So please understand this is only my perspective and experience.
******
I have always said that I was "born and raised Presbyterian."
I have always attended Presbyterian churches and although I did fall away from attending during the end of my teens and into my early twenties, I realized while I was pregnant with our first child that I wanted to raise our children in the church.
Which we did.
Once I joined a church (of my own choosing) as an adult, I served in many capacities.
In Maryland, I taught Sunday School, was an Elder and Clerk of Session, and a Vacation Bible School teacher.
I taught Vacation Bible School at the next church (in Pennsylvania) where we attended for six months.
We moved to another temporary home where we lived for one year and attended a new church where I began a Women's Bible Study group.
Finally, we arrived at our current home/location where we found a church where there were many youth activities available for our two children. I was a Vacation Bible School teacher, a Sunday School Teacher, a Kitchen Volunteer Coordinator, served on the Mission Committee, and developed/coordinated the Alternative Giving Program for three years before turning it over to the next person.
I learned a lot from each serving position.
During this time I also worked at a church (not where I was a member) and resigned after 5.75 years.
I learned a lot from that paid position too.
For five years, I attended Thursday morning Women's Bible Study where my faith matured and I developed deeper relationships with my church community. Or as I call them, my Bible Study buddies.
To be continued....
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