I suppose there’s a good reason somewhere for my lack of updates here in the religious section.  I haven’t been much for the spirituality these days.  It’s not for lack of trying, mind you.  I guess tonight I’m writing here because Stacey and I went to a couples dinner and conversation at what will be the new home of our church.  The church we attend is a small church plant here in town and I would consider the pastor of said church a good friend.  There are issues with the congregation of course, some of which came to light in the words of a pastor from the Twin Cities.  Stacey, for example, was moved to say some things that she’s wanted to say for a while about the leadership structure of the church and also the lack of outward interest in our being members of the church.  There has always been something that sticks in my brain when we get to church.  On Sunday, it’s always see and be seen.  I’m a Christian, don’t get me wrong, but I think the worst thing we do is try to talk to everyone at once.  I know I can’t stand it when I’m in the midst of a convo and then someone swoops in out of nowhere and steals the one person who thought to come to me and ask how I’m doing.  Fellowship be damned!  I would cry.  What difference do I make in all this?  Isn’t God good enough for me?  Sure, I’ll just sit on the blue couch in the back of the room, sing my songs and pretend to pray, and everything will right itself in the end.  According to tonight’s guest, that’s not the way things are supposed to work.  By virtue of God’s structure (Holy Trinity), God Himself is a community.  Three spirits, together.  It’s not a new concept in the grand scheme, but it was an epiphany to me.  Working on the kernal that we have in our little 20 person church, I feel that great things can happy if we would only allow ourselves to be receptive to that.  We need frailty and we need vulnerability.  Tonight, I saw the world’s most impervious woman cry in front of half the congregation.  If that doesn’t help me be more open and honest with everyone out there, I don’t know what will.

Filed under: community, congregation