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2eclipsewhat do you do when a church you really like is being stupid?
i've been going the same place for the past few weeks and i thought/think(?) i've found a church i want to belong to. they have a mixed contemporary/traditional worship that disappoints me, but not so much i can't handle it. their associate pastor is all about adult ed and social action and interfaith work. they have an active congregation that is into a million different ministries and small groups. i have been welcomed, asked out for coffee and engaged by at least 10 different people. there are strong progressive leanings here. this is a church that is REALLY trying to help the world. the minister has a lovely singing voice and so far there hasn't been a single sermon that has offended me.
i have been moved to tears often.
but today before communion, after stating that the UMC has an open table and all are welcome, he says "we do prefer that you be searching for christ" or something like that. my stomach turned over.
how can a church that practices open communion for centuries suddenly demand a christians-only part of their worship? how can a church that advertises (currently no less) open hearts, open minds, open doors shut people out of one of the most important parts of service?
how can i, in an interfaith marriage, join a church that excludes my husband, who's beliefs do not include
christ's divinity. how can i, who grew up christian, but did not understand the significance of christ (or care to) until i was 21, join a church where i myself would have been excluded 8 years earlier.
needless to say, he and i are going to have a nice little chat on friday.
please pray for me that in my zeal i do not systematically bludgeon this poor pastor to death.
i've been going the same place for the past few weeks and i thought/think(?) i've found a church i want to belong to. they have a mixed contemporary/traditional worship that disappoints me, but not so much i can't handle it. their associate pastor is all about adult ed and social action and interfaith work. they have an active congregation that is into a million different ministries and small groups. i have been welcomed, asked out for coffee and engaged by at least 10 different people. there are strong progressive leanings here. this is a church that is REALLY trying to help the world. the minister has a lovely singing voice and so far there hasn't been a single sermon that has offended me.
i have been moved to tears often.
but today before communion, after stating that the UMC has an open table and all are welcome, he says "we do prefer that you be searching for christ" or something like that. my stomach turned over.
how can a church that practices open communion for centuries suddenly demand a christians-only part of their worship? how can a church that advertises (currently no less) open hearts, open minds, open doors shut people out of one of the most important parts of service?
how can i, in an interfaith marriage, join a church that excludes my husband, who's beliefs do not include
christ's divinity. how can i, who grew up christian, but did not understand the significance of christ (or care to) until i was 21, join a church where i myself would have been excluded 8 years earlier.
needless to say, he and i are going to have a nice little chat on friday.
please pray for me that in my zeal i do not systematically bludgeon this poor pastor to death.
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actually....
Date: 2005-12-04 11:05 am (UTC)and i CAN blame him for this. not for seeking to make disciples for christ or even believing that christ is the only way to salvation (i myself believe these things/want these things), but for using language that pushes people away instead of bringing them in at one of the most important parts of our service. i firmly believe that people who don't know what they want/believe should be welcome. confused christians like i was who didn't give a flying fuck about christ but WAS interested in God should be welcome, and Hindu's, Buddhists, Jews and everyone else should be welcome at God's table. We know that it is Christ who saves, but we shoot ourselves in the foot if we say, "sure come in, but only so far." YES we want them to become christian. but i think a truly open Eucharist is absolutely central to bringing people to Christ.
I agree, he probably would have let me come to the table as a confused youth, but there is a big difference between hoping and demanding.
as for myself, i am HOPING to convince him.
if not, i don't know what i'll do.
for myself, i can get past this and work from the inside to change the things that bother me. but i am married now, and i need to find a church that won't make ross feel unwelcome.