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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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(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-04 10:53 am (UTC)And you can't really blame him for prefering that can you? I mean isn't that the primary task of the Church? To make disciples of all people? Of course any pastor, priest, or even church member should hope that all people taking Eucharist are in some way "searching for Christ" The Eucharist is a Sacrament... it IS a means of Grace.
Why other purpose would it serve other than be bread and juice for conversation? The Church isn't a social club... it is a community of worshipers seeking to live in discipleship together.
I don't think, from your account of what happened, he was saying "Only Christians can come up here now." But that he was saying "If you want to take communion, and are not Christian you are more than welcome. WE hope that this sacred momment if fulfilling to you and helps you have an encounter with God, through his son Jesus Christ."
He just might not have been so clear in expressing that. I am sure he would have let you take the Eucharist when you were young and didn't understand the significance of Christ all the time hoping that you were "searching for Christ" while eating the Holy meal.
Peace and love!
Me
actually....
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