After filling out this survey please let me know your age and whether or not you consider yourself a christian or not. (I hope this survey is balanced between both
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Nice to see you back. I have little time but thought I'd reflect briefly.
To begin, I believe the "church" is a complex issue as various denominations and churches have their own idiosyncracies. The politics, beauracracy and additional problems are not of God, but of people. With this in mind, here are my answers:
1- The church was integral shortly after I dedicated myself to the Lord. I went to a very large, active Lutheran church and we had a 100+ member traveling church contemporary group I was part of. This entire experience changed my life forever.
2- I believe that the church as a whole (all denominations) needs to do FAR more for diversity in all areas. We are not too good at serving people who are "different"...
3- It depends on the church. The church homes I chose are those that provide real experiences for real people. It is important to me that worship is authentic, as is the handshake and greeting at the door.
4- Although there are probably people who would question my answer... I believe it is imperative that social justice be addressed not only as a band aid but as a conduit to permanent solutions. We too must feed the hungry and be careful in how we go about our ministry. Sometimes people come off as too strong in evangelizing and people get hurt and feel judged. It is with love we carry the name of Jesus.
5- The church is meaningful
6- I admit, I am a "mixed bag" when it comes to church as I prefer the contemporary styles of worship with the fervency of some of the more fundamentalists but the theology of some of the more main line denominations. I get very concered on either pole as I have seen churches that are ultra liberal be as judgmental as some of those ultra conservative. I believe we need a balance.
7- Both
8- I believe the church is a mere reflection of all the strengths and weaknesses of the people within and yet too the Lord works in many mysterioius and wonderful ways through the church and through the people of the church. We must be very careful not to equate the church with God, yet a true church should provide a means to study, worship, learn and grow in the Lord and in our faith.
Re: Welcome BackjaycubsfanMay 22 2007, 03:19:57 UTC
It is nice to get back here every once and a while. Hopefully it will be a little longer this time. Thank you for sharing. How are things going personally?
Nice to see you back. I have little time but thought I'd reflect briefly.
To begin, I believe the "church" is a complex issue as various denominations and churches have their own idiosyncracies. The politics, beauracracy and additional problems are not of God, but of people. With this in mind, here are my answers:
1- The church was integral shortly after I dedicated myself to the Lord. I went to a very large, active Lutheran church and we had a 100+ member traveling church contemporary group I was part of. This entire experience changed my life forever.
2- I believe that the church as a whole (all denominations) needs to do FAR more for diversity in all areas. We are not too good at serving people who are "different"...
3- It depends on the church. The church homes I chose are those that provide real experiences for real people. It is important to me that worship is authentic, as is the handshake and greeting at the door.
4- Although there are probably people who would question my answer... I believe it is imperative that social justice be addressed not only as a band aid but as a conduit to permanent solutions. We too must feed the hungry and be careful in how we go about our ministry. Sometimes people come off as too strong in evangelizing and people get hurt and feel judged. It is with love we carry the name of Jesus.
5- The church is meaningful
6- I admit, I am a "mixed bag" when it comes to church as I prefer the contemporary styles of worship with the fervency of some of the more fundamentalists but the theology of some of the more main line denominations. I get very concered on either pole as I have seen churches that are ultra liberal be as judgmental as some of those ultra conservative. I believe we need a balance.
7- Both
8- I believe the church is a mere reflection of all the strengths and weaknesses of the people within and yet too the Lord works in many mysterioius and wonderful ways through the church and through the people of the church. We must be very careful not to equate the church with God, yet a true church should provide a means to study, worship, learn and grow in the Lord and in our faith.
Thanks for the post, welcome back!
Journal friend
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Jay
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