So I went to church today. The first time in quite a while. And newsflash... the church did not implode or explode during my venture. --always a plus-- also I did not start to spin around or vomit while on church property... also a plus. :) I guess that means that there is hope for me. It was ok. I mean the pastor was typical Baptist pastor, but I may be able to look past that. I mean the message was on being apart from the world. (Putting away worldly things) a baptist favorite. Anyway it was fine but I hated the whole I'm right and there is no discussing this, attitude. He kinda talked down a lot of stuff. And I'm not to comfortable with that. However after the service a friend of mine came up and we chatted for some time. This happened to be his home church - from when he was a kid- and we talked a bit about the service and he seems to have the same concerns as I do about the church. However he's kinda in the same boat... he can live with it, for now. So I'm not sure. My biggest concern is my son. I want him in church and to learn and grow and ask questions about Jesus. That's my concern. I KNOW where I stand. I can still get something out of this guys preaching. But I also know he's not going to change my mind. He's not going to get me to burn my cd's and start preaching on a street corner. I know where I'm at, and when the time comes I can always sit with my son and discuss my differences with the pastor. But at the same time I'm not to sure how I feel about the whole thing. However did I mention the people were SUPER friendly and nice. I have NEVER been in a church where they were that friendly. (ok I"m sure that it helped that the church was so small we stuck out like a sore thumb) But whatever. I think I'll go back next Sunday with my son in tow and give it another chance. Then I"ll go to this other church that my friend told me about and see what happens there.
the question of the day, though, is this... Why do some people think that you HAVE to DO all these things to be a christian, and yet they say that Christianity is not hinging on works. Like you HAVE to wear a dress or you HAVE to only listen to Christian music, or you HAVE to not drink, or HAVE to ..... and yet they'll stand up there and spout off about the whole "Not of works" stuff. I don't know... just something to ponder.
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4 comments:
i totally know exactly where you are coming from. i stopped going to church for the same reasons you did. if i had a child, i would be doing what you are doing.
the attitude of the church to me is not right either. it makes NO sense!! wearing skirts, um, their reasoning for that is that we are not supposed to dress like a man. Jesus wore robes. Rock music...I remember watching a Christian video when I was young on rock music. My parents made us watch it. They didn't know I liked to watch it cuz i liked the music I heard he hehe. "hey guys, I'm getting tempted to listen to the radio, I better watch that 2 hour video filled with cool songs and music video clips...:-) anyways, in a part they were saying how "rock music" brainwashes you. They played the first few tones of beat it and stopped the song. Asked the audience memebers "who can identify what song that was?" When the song is identified they proceed to talk about subliminal messaging and how the song can be recongnized by the beginning notes....Um, if you play amazing grace, or jingle bells, or the national anthem, Jesus loves me...any song...get my point....it's identifiable. i imagine the people are friendly. probably like the church i grew up in. they are like a family and a lot of what they do in their spare time they do with eachother. my church we had afterglows (potlucks..) ALL the frikken time (but they were fun!!!) we camped together, baseball games, --you know--- SO, i imagine that is how this church is too. like you said, the problem is the gay rules. i personally cant sit in a church like that and listen to the man down everyone else but himself...it just gets annoying and i want to call him out on everything...but, if i had a kid... FEEL YOUR PAIN HOMIE!! And about the drinking, the Bible says "wine is a mocker, strong drink is ragine, and whosever is deceived thereby is not wise." makes perfect sense to me. drink too much wine, act like a retart, drink too much liquor, tempors flare....basically, don't drink so much you lose control of yourself... I could type for hours on this subject...
Sadly I think most churches are like this. It's sad because I don't agree. I feel that God doesn't want us to have all these rules--No to this and that. That's not how I think God created this universe or what He had in mind. I think He wants us to enjoy this life and live it to the fullest. I think He wants us to do things that would please Him, and live according to His commandments. I don't think God wants you to go burn your CD's and all. I do believe its that by faith we are saved..not by deeds. I also think we should be salt and light to the world...part of it, yet different. I can't stand it when people think this life is suppose to be torture for us and when we get to Heaven its wonderful. I honestly don't think God is like that or wants us to live that way. He wants us to enjoy ourselves here on earth and live for Him...its hard sometimes but I think honestly we can do it AND have fun at the same time. Does that make sense?
Sorry, I am going backwards and reading all your posts and commenting on them if I feel up to it.
The greated you so friendly because you were fresh meat, not because they cared...except my mom and Jim, they "get it".
And to answer why churhces feel they have to get rid of their stuff and the like to be a Christian is because they have it backwards. We do, because we are; we don't become because we do. It is easier to throw away your CD's and conform to a dress code than it is to submit to the Cross and serve others.
Huh.... I've never been refered to as fresh meat before! LOL....
Good point about churches getting rid of their stuff. I never thought of it that way. But it's so true. I would much rather throw out my Living Colour CD than go serve somone else. ;) It's Waaaay easier. But it's not right.
and by the way, I really did like the people at that church. Even the pastor. I have nothing against them PERSONALLY, or theologically really. It just didn't feel.... right. Ya know? And I went becuase I needed something familiar, and I figured where best to start then somewhere, where I had been...
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