Comments on: Why I Don’t Miss Church, But Also Really Do

By: Meg

Meg — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:55:22 +0000

Mr. Wolsey, thank you! I enjoyed reading these articles – I had actually found the “7 Ways to Find a Progressive Christian Church” when I Googled something similar – it was how we located a few Episcopal churches in our area.
I love that you play trumpet and especially appreciated the comparison of playing alone vs. playing with others. As a musician there’s a great point raised there as well, outside of spirituality.
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it.

By: Roger Wolsey

Roger Wolsey — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 23:40:21 +0000

I wouldn’t be Christian if it weren’t for the existence of progressive Christianity and the congregations that embrace it.
See: “Christianity for people who don’t like Christianity” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-roger-wolsey/progressive-christianity_b_892727.html
“Why I’m Spiritual *and* Religious” http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogerwolsey/2014/12/why-im-spiritual-and-religious/
and
“7 Ways to Find a Progressive Christian Church” http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogerwolsey/2014/01/7-ways-to-find-a-progressive-church/

Roger Wolsey, author, “Kissing Fish”

By: Meg

Meg — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 02:22:17 +0000

Shannon thank you! I guess I’ve always felt like the peripherals of church, fellowship, music, etc., were there for community and character building, and that I had my own relationship with God that didn’t require regular attendance to one building or another. While I miss those things that I mentioned here, you’re right, they can be gotten elsewhere. I think that’s why I don’t feel a big rush to find a new place of worship – because I don’t feel like I need a PLACE for that at all, and my own personal understanding of God doesn’t involve the need for group worship. Thank you for commenting!!

By: Meg

Meg — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 02:13:30 +0000

Laura THANK YOU, I appreciate the opinion that if you teach your kids your morals and values and try to make them the best people possible, that is good. I’m also respecting the fact that my kids are going to be able to change their minds about church or God or whatever, so I’d better not get too attached.
I remember chapel very vaguely at LVC. I had some ensemble or another Wednesday nights and didn’t go. 🙁 Thank you for the comment!!!

By: Meg

Meg — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 02:11:09 +0000

Kinsey I loved this! We really had this problem more at the Episcopal church we attended for 6 months; they wanted young families desperately but had no way of accommodating them. The church was this beautiful historic building across the street from the church hall, and the only really accessible BATHROOMS were across the street, too. Seriously. And Yes to a lot of the other things you said.
We have enough going on in our lives. If it feels like a major chore or a show you have to put on, heck with it.

By: Meg

Meg — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 02:08:19 +0000

Carrie, it was cool to hear from you! You know where I’m coming from, clearly. I definitely agree with you, with wanting some extra education in goodness for our kids. Cliques happen at all churches by human nature, I think, and they stink. I’m really sorry you had the experience that you did. We didn’t feel that way in particular, but I can completely understand how it would happen. It’s a shame, because I know some other people there try so hard to be welcoming.

By: Meg

Meg — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 02:05:12 +0000

Marybeth I know you’ve got a particularly “interesting” situation and relationship with your church (and will somebody PLEASE help you with VBS decorations?!) and you know I feel for you.
You’re not feeling mad at God, I think, because God has very little to do with the decisions that are affecting you at your church – and THAT is the problem with those decisions in the first place. Love to you and I hope it ends as it should.

By: Meg

Meg — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 02:01:47 +0000

Lekesia I completely get that sense of still trying to figure yourself out. I like the idea of the recharge – I hope you find that there and I would love some of that too. Thanks for your comment, as always, you know I appreciate!

By: Shannon

Shannon — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 01:12:38 +0000

We go to church for one reason, to worship God. The fellowship, the music, the missions trips, etc are all just added benefit. If it was all gone and we just had a plot of land we gathered on and sat on the ground and worshipped with others who just wanted to be there to be in awe of God and worship Him we’d still be there because we are there to worship God. I don’t say that judgmentally and I hope you know that because I adore you guys and your girls. I get that we are at opposite ends of the spectrum on most social issues and probably have never voted for the same people but I’m cool with that;) Honestly, you can get all the things you are looking for in other places so I get why you don’t want to be there (even when you kinda do) and it’s ok. I love you guys and if you ever wanted to talk about why we feel so passionately about God the door for that is always open! In the meantime we can just gather together and eat food and laugh at Poppop 🙂 🙂

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 13:29:01 +0000

For a long time I always said I attended “the little church of Laura” I only went to church on Christmas eve growing up. It wasn’t til I went to LVC that I went to the chapel service on Wednesday evenings regularly. After graduation, I was more concerned about a job than finding a church. It wasn’t until I was 28 that I started attending church regularly. I was drawn in by the contemporary music and a friend. I have met a lot of good people and friends over the last few years and was way over involved musically for a long while. Our church is very open and friendly, but I can’t stand the politics of a lit of things. Now I am at a point I call church burnout. I am ready to having Sunday free, and choose to go when I want to go. Even though I have attended organized services, I have never changed my thoughts of God from my ” little church of Laura” days. Hell I guss in my own way I still attend the little church of Laura, not the UCC church. So I guess it all boils down to this, I feel that I turned out ok with the little religion my parents taught me. I think that every parent has a right to teach their kid about religion in their own way, so they can make their own decisions regarding God. Lol, right now I’m actually dreading getting out of bed to go to church because I need to clean my house for company later…. I don’t know if this is helpful or not, but I don’t fault you at all for not going to church! Teach your kids what you believe and if you find church again as your kids get older, great, if not, great… God loved everyone regardless!