Comments on: In Striving to be Different, We Seem to be the Same http://wildernessvoice.com/2007/12/in-striving-to-be-different-we-seem-to-be-the-same/ my thoughts, musings, rants and discoveries . . . Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:49:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bunny http://wildernessvoice.com/2007/12/in-striving-to-be-different-we-seem-to-be-the-same/comment-page-1/#comment-1046 Bunny Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:19:44 +0000 http://wildernessvoice.com/?p=250#comment-1046 My church family's attitudes brought me back into the fold after years of rejecting the church because of bad experiences. While we don't say we cater to those burned by other churches, it seems to be something we do without even realizing it. Our congregation has people of many races and ethnicities (still majority white, but not ALL white) and different sexual orientations (straight, lesbian, gay, bi, transgender) and everyone is accepted. While this is not true of our entire denomination (United Methodist), it is true of our church family and for that I am glad. And we don't try to convert the people served by our various ministries. We help because that's what Christ would do. If they want to know more we'll certainly share, but we don't try to force them into the fold. I think that we are following the scriptures in being open to all, though I know some fundamentalists disagree. Such is the joy of being American - the right to disagree!
My church family’s attitudes brought me back into the fold after years of rejecting the church because of bad experiences. While we don’t say we cater to those burned by other churches, it seems to be something we do without even realizing it. Our congregation has people of many races and ethnicities (still majority white, but not ALL white) and different sexual orientations (straight, lesbian, gay, bi, transgender) and everyone is accepted. While this is not true of our entire denomination (United Methodist), it is true of our church family and for that I am glad. And we don’t try to convert the people served by our various ministries. We help because that’s what Christ would do. If they want to know more we’ll certainly share, but we don’t try to force them into the fold.

I think that we are following the scriptures in being open to all, though I know some fundamentalists disagree. Such is the joy of being American – the right to disagree!

]]> By: Robin http://wildernessvoice.com/2007/12/in-striving-to-be-different-we-seem-to-be-the-same/comment-page-1/#comment-1044 Robin Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:19:28 +0000 http://wildernessvoice.com/?p=250#comment-1044 What would "different" look like? And do we dare to be different for the sake of looking different? It seems many of us (who the heck is us? lol) feel trapped in the season... If I hear one more time "the REAL meaning of Christmas" I think I might choke! There's such a defensiveness...territorialness to the season. Sometimes it's hard to see the incarnation of God in the midst. Ugh...I needed more time for this post...but it looks like I gotta run instead. I'll be back ;).
What would “different” look like? And do we dare to be different for the sake of looking different?

It seems many of us (who the heck is us? lol) feel trapped in the season… If I hear one more time “the REAL meaning of Christmas” I think I might choke! There’s such a defensiveness…territorialness to the season. Sometimes it’s hard to see the incarnation of God in the midst.

Ugh…I needed more time for this post…but it looks like I gotta run instead.

I’ll be back ;) .

]]> By: Mike Young http://wildernessvoice.com/2007/12/in-striving-to-be-different-we-seem-to-be-the-same/comment-page-1/#comment-1042 Mike Young Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:22:52 +0000 http://wildernessvoice.com/?p=250#comment-1042 David: No pun intended, right ? I liked your post and can totally relate. And I agree that there is much confusion over spiritual depth. Frankly, Christ dealt much with this. Many of the people who fall into the category you mention, see, but perceive not and hear, but lack understanding. So just having a bunch of bible knowledge doesn't constitute depth. EE: I think it's a good idea too, actually. But I think that should be the everyday attitude of all churches, and not just a specialty. The church I attended back in CA practiced this with all people. It was quite refreshing to experience. But they didn't specialize in it. They were very well rounded.
David: No pun intended, right ? I liked your post and can totally relate. And I agree that there is much confusion over spiritual depth. Frankly, Christ dealt much with this. Many of the people who fall into the category you mention, see, but perceive not and hear, but lack understanding. So just having a bunch of bible knowledge doesn’t constitute depth.

EE: I think it’s a good idea too, actually. But I think that should be the everyday attitude of all churches, and not just a specialty. The church I attended back in CA practiced this with all people. It was quite refreshing to experience. But they didn’t specialize in it. They were very well rounded.

]]> By: EE http://wildernessvoice.com/2007/12/in-striving-to-be-different-we-seem-to-be-the-same/comment-page-1/#comment-1041 EE Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:43:24 +0000 http://wildernessvoice.com/?p=250#comment-1041 Hm...I'm not really sure what I can add here, as I am completely ignorant on this topic/subject. From knowing what I know about you, and your past 'difficulties' with other churches...I think what that church in town is offering is awesome. Aww...it's the church of misfits. ;) (you know I'm teasing, I do in actuality, think it's a good idea) xo
Hm…I’m not really sure what I can add here, as I am completely ignorant on this topic/subject.

From knowing what I know about you, and your past ‘difficulties’ with other churches…I think what that church in town is offering is awesome.

Aww…it’s the church of misfits. ;) (you know I’m teasing, I do in actuality, think it’s a good idea)

xo

]]> By: David C http://wildernessvoice.com/2007/12/in-striving-to-be-different-we-seem-to-be-the-same/comment-page-1/#comment-1039 David C Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:25:06 +0000 http://wildernessvoice.com/?p=250#comment-1039 Good observations. May I also add that mindless detailed minutia into Scripture is often confused with "spiritual depth." I just wrote an entry about my journey away from fundamentalism. Would love your feedback.
Good observations.

May I also add that mindless detailed minutia into Scripture is often confused with “spiritual depth.”

I just wrote an entry about my journey away from fundamentalism. Would love your feedback.

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