Comments | double_negative: Church News

double_negative

Church News - too important to lj-cut

Nov 17, 2005 09:44

You know, once in a while I get in this nasty church slump. I don't want to go, and when I do, I feel blah ( Read more... )

Comments 12

punkrockvirgin November 17 2005, 19:06:31 UTC

Cool. I believe in their ideas of grace being available to all. I do however disagree with "Church membership." And I have vowed to myself to never be a "member". I will be an active partisicpant of a fellowship, but I am not a member of one address or even a denomination. If I am a member of anything, I would like to be considered a member of the world wide church of Christ Jesus. Anyways. Just a rant.

double_negative November 17 2005, 19:11:48 UTC

Actually I totally understand your feelings as far as membership. I'm glad you like what was said though :-)

I really struggled with being baptised and becoming a member (which I did Dec. 19 of last year). So I definatly see where you are coming from. In the end I became a member because I know I am a MEMBER of the world wide church (I like how you said that) but I enjoy supporting the ministries of this specific church... make sense?

north_of_you November 17 2005, 19:24:46 UTC

I don't understand this membership thing - how can they prevent someone from joining?

double_negative November 17 2005, 19:35:54 UTC

You can attend church (well, most churches) no matter who you are. But to have a vote when it comes to church issues, you need to be a member. I mean there is a lot more to it but that's the simplified version. Make sense? You're a church goer yes? Where do you attend?

north_of_you November 17 2005, 19:46:33 UTC

I'm a Catholic. We don't vote on anything, but we have various rites that non-Catholics cannot engage in. For example a non-Catholic cannot take the host (or drink the wine) and neither can a Catholic who has not fulfilled all the necessary rights (Baptisim and First Communion)

double_negative November 17 2005, 19:38:21 UTC

Sorry, more I wanted to say. Part of membership is also being a part of the church family, such that when a person is baptised in the church, you as a member are somewhat responsible for their spiritual upbringing.... it's like a group commitment.

dramatic_miss November 17 2005, 22:17:32 UTC

I'm really glad that there is a place for nonconventional Christians to go, I think that Jesus loves us regardless... I'm not a member of a church, and may not ever be, but people who want to should most definitely be allowed.

double_negative November 18 2005, 08:16:40 UTC

Are any of us actually "conventional Christians" at this point?

simplepleasures November 18 2005, 05:07:04 UTC

I'm so proud... i smiled reading all of this...we have had numerous conversations about this and I am intrigued to see where you lie on this issue. You might be surprised to find that most churches would respond the same way, the presby included. The issue I pose is, do you put a practicing homosexual into leadership in a church? Some might consider choir a "leadership" position because they are leading others into God's presence and worship.

Practicing...? simplepleasures November 18 2005, 05:55:57 UTC

What do homosexuals practice? Does one's god given sexual preference really mean they cannot lead in a spirtual way? Can a practicing conservative be devout? And if god is already present in everyone then does anyone need to be lead to the presence of god? If a practicing heterosexual enjoys sodomy can they sing in the choir? Ah, the freedom of being a Buddhist Unitarian where these questions have all been answered. Better yet, left unasked. And bravo on the enlightened theology of your chosen faith Em.

UJB.

Re: Practicing...? double_negative November 18 2005, 08:22:32 UTC

Well said. All of it. I like that last bit.... questions left unasked. I kind of like questions unanswered, it leaves room to grow.

Our entire children's program is based on the words "I wonder...". I love that.

I was ready to join this church when I knew it was going in this direction. It just feels right. I think it is right. I'll write you soon.

double_negative November 18 2005, 08:20:12 UTC

Why are you proud?

I absolutly think that homosexuals be made leaders in our churches. I think there is some amount of beauty in the fact that they tend to know persecution a whole lot better than the rest of us. Our music director is a lesbian who has spent something like 10 years with her partner and they are raising the most beautiful triplets. But being a participant in the choir isn't making me gay! I mean what are we really afraid of? Teaching people to embrace who God made them? Oh heavens no.

By the way, sounds like there is drama. Give me a call. Or I'll leave you another message.