Sunday, April 29, 2012

How do you...

How do you quit a church?

I know how to stop attending a church.  I now how to go somewhere else, sit in the chairs, say hello, smile, join in the potluck after church.  I know how to participate somewhere else.

I want to know how one quits a church.

The church that allowed one the opportunity to grow and explore faith in Christ.

The church that allowed one to grow, awkwardly at times, into the leader that God was calling them to be.

The church that helped to guide one into the person they are, with morals and compassion and acceptance for people created in the image of Christ.

How does one quit a church?

How does one stop caring about the things happening in said church?

Things far from the beliefs and understanding of God and Jesus one formed in said church.

Things which tear at one's heart and make it seemingly impossible to return to said church without compromising one's understanding of the love and grace of Jesus.



How does one quit a church?

How does one quit a church, not in anger but in grace?  Without casting stones, while also standing up for one's own beliefs and convictions?

How does one quit a church without gossip?  Without massive speculation and rumors?

How does one quit a church while still remaining friends with many within the church?

How does one quit a church?

I wish I knew those answers.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

What I need church to be about

Church this morning was just what I need to church to be about.

It had nothing to do with the music, the lighting, the sermon, communion or how many people said hello to me this morning (I snuck in after church had started and tried to leave before it was over, someone caught me).

Church this morning was just what I need church to be about because the man who got up to lead the morning prayer shared from his heart and prayed from the depths of his soul and was crying so much at one point that he had to stop and let the silence reign.

It was just what I need church to be about, allowing our humanness to eek out and the grace of God to eek in.  

I loved this morning at church.