Invited To Church
WOW it is a gorgeous morning in Springfield! Although, I am feeling a little bad today. You see a friend of mine invited me to attend church this morning. It seems this church is having a “Biker Sunday”. It starts with breakfast, then a church service, followed by a ride around the area. He was so excited about it, but I simply didn’t want to go. He called me earlier in the week and ask me to attend, and I told him no, yesterday he stopped by the dealership in order to coax me again, this time I told him if I was going, I would be at his house by 8:00 a.m. and if I was not there by that time I wouldn’t be coming. He will be very disappointed. I love the guy to death, I just do not desire to go to church at this point in my life! What does that say about me?
so many people are going through this with ya - myself included. i’m going to try another one today though so we’ll see how that goes. it surely doesn’t say anything bad about you; you’re just being real.
The interesting thing about this is my spirituality continues to increase as well as my hunger for God. I just have no desire for the packages he seems to come in
Like you, I have a hunger for something more, but I’m not sure church is where I’ll be fed.
It doesn’t say a thing about you at all, Rick. Spirituality is within you, that’s for sure. Church is just a PLACE…and some people need to be there to feel a spiritual connection. You don’t, that’s all! Consider yourself to be in a different phase in your spiritual life…and don’t worry about it so much. You still inspire the rest of us on a daily basis! ;0)
I don’t think you can really go to church unless you want to be there. What is the point of sitting through a service and just going through motions? I didn’t go to church for years and years. For the past few months I have been attending a contemporary service at the Methodist church near my house and truly look forward to it each week and hang on every word of our minister’s message. This is what I need now. I figured out the traditional service didn’t speak to me. You’ll find your way in your own time.
You were honest with your friend about your hesitation in going. That’s a good thing. And the more I search for what works for me, the more easily I understand your increased spirituality and desire for god, without feeling the need to be in a church. I think you’re doing the right thing. Follow your heart.
scarlet- I am certain what I need is to be found in the scriptures and in worship. I also believe people play a role in encouraging us in our growth. But after being in organized Church for 21 years, I simply have no desire for it at this moment.
kuckie- I don’t know how, but thank you!
peach pod- I think you are right. But people who know me as a pastor think I should be going to church all the time.
Terri- I think I am asking the right questions, and I know my heart is to do the right thing.
Whatever it is it’s got me too. I have no desire to deal with it.
Extra pressure because of your former pastor status. Hmmmm. I had a similar conversation with an old friend this week, but I’m not a former pastor : )
I actually attended church yesterday for the second time in years. I have been looking for something for awhile, and I think I got a little of “it” yesterday. I really liked the church, which seems to be able to fit the message in with my liberal social values. I know what it is like to be searching, and I don’t claim to have found the answers. Sometimes I think there is great value in the search. I know you will come out in a good place, because you think enough to ask to hard questions.
kristin- exactly! Because of my past position much more is expected of me. But I have learned to trust my instincts rather than peer pressure.
mary helen - I agree, I recognize this as a process and I see the value in it. But that doesn’t make it easier.
Would it have as much value to you if it were easy? (rhetorical, not meant to have an answer. It’s as much a question for me and where I am in my life right now as it is for you.) =)