Personal

Well, this was my first chance to meet all the ministerial in town.

And to meet the local politician, Jason Dearborn.

All the emotions of being just new.  Not wanting to talk – but feeling like something needs to be said.  Wanting to take in the local customs, wondering where they came from.  Eating a high cholesterol breakfast, and watching my waistline grow.

The group is from various backgrounds and persuasions.  They will not agree on everything.  The question is to see where we can agree.

What comes next in the spiritual life of our town?  Certainly this group will have an impact.

Every once in awhile an article pushes you to think.

What is churchless faith?  Almost sounds like an oxymoron, two words put together that are opposites.

Which brings up the other word – ecclesiology!  That is merely the study of the “church”.  The question is not whether people can believe in something.  But whether they can do this without the “institutional church”.  Or, the “local church”.

Lately I have come across seniors who are close to me. They have been a part of a church for decades, but are now not connected.  And a good friend who has been a mentor to me.  Part of a church even in the tumultuous 60’s and 70’s.  Now no longer attends.

I’m curious.  What are the reasons?  What alternate communities are people forming to take the place of the “local/institutional church”?

Today my wife, Jill, and I speak.

At a group called XYZ – the seniors of the community from various churches and backgrounds.  We’ll discuss the past 25 years.  That’s when we left Kindersley for other callings.  Amazing how time has its own voice. 

Whispering sickness and parenting.  Yelling finances and fights.  Soothing relationships and responsibilities.  [There is the literary coming out in me – I’m not sure you know what I’m talking about, but it sure sounds good!]

This last week I put 2 + 2 together while reading.  25 years was the time from the beginning of the biblical Saul/Paul’s Christian life to the time he wrote a book to people in Philippi where he said, “To me, to live is Christ” and “I have not attained, neither am I perfect, but I press on.” 

At around the same time Paul was writing a group in Ephesus and commending them for doing the same thing.  25 or 30 years later another letter was written to that church by John.  In Revelation he says to those people “You have done well in certain areas, but you have lost your first love.”

How 25 years can change our lives!  I want my journey to be one of striving not losing!

I’ve watched minorities over the years.

They are an alternate community mingliing with the dominant community.  Living in what is there, making the most of the best while providing an alternative lifestyle.

I wonder how Christianity is now viewed?