Church

Jeff and I are reading a few books right now that have started to help change our perspective on church in general. "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore" (By: Jake Coleson, Wayne Jacobsen, and Dave Coleman), "Pagan Christianity" (By: George Barna and Frank Viola), and "Revolution" (By: George Barna). These books are truly life-changing and, I believe, very challenging thinking for tried and true church-goers.

For those of you wondering what in the world is going on with us...allow me to share. About a year ago, Jeff & I started becoming dissatisfied with our home church. We were both involved (or at least Jeff was~ after the twins came along, I was less able to attend and be involved) and were content in the fact that because we were faithfully attending church, and we believed in God, loved the Lord, that made us sound Christians. I don't doubt our faith, nor do I doubt our sincere love for the Lord. However, the discontent began and rooted in our hearts. After a few hurtful encounters with church leadership, we decided to leave our home church of more than 13 & 15 years respectively. This was a very difficult decision, and one that we never regretted. We (like so many "good Christians" do) decided to find another church, one that could offer what we felt we needed: a break from our involvement (and the obligations that added), and a new "home". What we found was a warm, small congregation who were welcoming, friendly, and everything we thought we could find a home in...Instead, we were still discontent, and were soon (after about a month of Sundays in attendance) pressured (lovingly) to become involved in some manner. Now I should say that this church we visited was made up of some of the sweetest, most sincere people we have met, and we genuinely loved everything about it. We just weren't ready to get "plugged in"--we were still dealing with scars.

From that point on, our church attendance became more and more lax. We were less inclined to attend, but--low & behold--there came a sense of freedom with our lack of church attendance. I'm not saying that one choosing to go to church and 100% happy in that decision, is WRONG, what I'm saying is that this decision was RIGHT for US!!! I can honestly say that never once have either of us felt convicted to resume attending church. However, we have felt the GUILT mainly sent our direction from "concerned" church attenders. Whether that be former fellow members from our long-attended church or from family or from others who have known us and loved us long amounts of time. And that was hard to deal with...very hard. In fact, after a year, it is still difficult for us to tell them that "No, we haven't found a church yet," and "Yes, we're so happy with that decision." Especially with people we care about.

After toiling with our feelings of "guilt" for a while, my Mom (who has been dealing with the same issues) recommended these books for us. We have read them and found such truth in what they say. More and more we are realizing that church attendance is NOT what saves us. Jesus dying on the cross saved us! How is it that we forget that when we become so busy with being "involved" in church? Being a "leader" in the "church" is so important to us, and then (when we are so exhausted from working 5 days a week, with ONE day that is our own--Saturday--) we decide to miss ONE Sunday service, and people start thinking that BECAUSE you're not there, you're sinning or lost or backsliding or struggling...well, you get the picture. We become so "busy" doing the things of God, but not remembering God. Oh sure, you hear that same saying in church CONSTANTLY!!! Isn't that the truth? But in reality, we fall into the same patterns. Why is that? The same people telling us, "Don't get so busy doing the things of God and forgetting the relationship" are the same ones concerning themselves when you DO try to remember the relationship. When going to church becomes an obligation, you shouldn't go. That is how I feel now. Obviously there are people who would totally disagree with me, and they're entitled to that opinion, but for US this is what is right!!

Jeff & I are becoming more concerned with figuring things out about our relationship with the Lord on our own. With our own research. Looking up what the Word says to us FOR us. Within context. THAT helps our relationship with the Lord grow. That is what I'm concerned with. On top of that, we have more time for our family on Sundays--it's another extra day in the week that we get to share and have time in fellowship with each other.

I'm sad for the people who are worried about where their "church" is headed. WE are the church--not the building. Jesus dwells in US--not in a building. There is no obligation in Christ. He Loves us unconditionally. We should follow in HIS footsteps. What sort of example did Jesus set for us? How did he show us to live? If you're relying on a man that stands up behind a pulpit every Sunday and gets PAID for it--just doing his job--picking out a scripture to tell you how Jesus behaved, to me, that isn't good enough. Open up the Bible and discover His truth for yourself. It is so much more exciting when the Lord opens your eyes to what He has to say to you; not just listening to someone else tell you what God revealed to him/her to say to everyone. (Obviously, I'm not trying to say that sermons are wrong and bad and that you shouldn't listen to what God does choose to speak through a minister; however, to develop in your own relationship with the Lord, it's necessary to discover it for yourself as well.)

New...

I'm new to this whole blogging thing. In fact, I'm not entirely sure what to do...the benefits of being able to learn from experience I suppose. :) Since I probably won't share this blog with anyone for a while, I suppose I should start off just by saying that (for the most part) I'm a boring, loving stay-at-home wife and mommy. My husband is wonderful! I have twins; they're two years old, and they're pretty much my life. Eventually, we would like to add two more children to our family, but for now we're content.

I grew up in a small town located in southern Indiana. I have heard it referred to as "Small-Town U.S.A." on more than one occasion, and for the most part I feel that is an accurate description. My husband and I met in church nearly 13 years ago, and here we are...in the middle of our happily ever after. :) Sometimes I feel a little suffocated in this area because where ever one turns, it seems someone else is right there~ someone you know. (Most of those "someone you knows" are busy body's, and that is a trifle irritating.) However, my life is blessed beyond measure, and I try to remember that.

For now that's all I have to say. I'm afraid I'm not going to be very good at this thing, but we'll see. I guess I'll just take it a step at a time and go from there. :) That's the best way of doing things, right?