Comments on: Where Is The Church I Want To Go To http://www.momunplugged.com/where-is-the-church-i-want-to-go-to/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:14:43 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sharon http://www.momunplugged.com/where-is-the-church-i-want-to-go-to/comment-page-1/#comment-3031 Sharon Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:01:50 +0000 http://www.momunplugged.com/?p=787#comment-3031 Latara you always generate such good discussion with your posts. I was as you know born and raised in the Catholic church and while I know the Catholic church has generated a lot of controversy for the wrong reasons, there is so much GOOD about our faith that is rarely focused on in any public way. Jen raises some good points about the approach and expectations of church... My parish and many like it focus on services that bring to light positive things in the community and responsibilities that we have as people of God. I can't recall being at any Parish where we focused on the kinds of things God could do for us. The focus always seems to be outward. We're called to do things by God, not the other way around. I agree with Jen in that I have a problem with Church being a perceived as *only* a place where we go to focus on what we lack in our lives. When I go to church I'm reminded to give thanks for all the good things in my life and I'm not talking about anything monetary; to share in the Eucharist which is our opportunity to acknowledge what was given up for us a looong time ago and to take that weekly experience as a reminder of what we're asked to do as good fathers, daughters, neighbors, and ultimately stewards of this earth. I'm quite sure other faiths have a similar focus but I thought I'd share my experience. Latara you always generate such good discussion with your posts. I was as you know born and raised in the Catholic church and while I know the Catholic church has generated a lot of controversy for the wrong reasons, there is so much GOOD about our faith that is rarely focused on in any public way. Jen raises some good points about the approach and expectations of church…

My parish and many like it focus on services that bring to light positive things in the community and responsibilities that we have as people of God. I can’t recall being at any Parish where we focused on the kinds of things God could do for us. The focus always seems to be outward. We’re called to do things by God, not the other way around.

I agree with Jen in that I have a problem with Church being a perceived as *only* a place where we go to focus on what we lack in our lives. When I go to church I’m reminded to give thanks for all the good things in my life and I’m not talking about anything monetary; to share in the Eucharist which is our opportunity to acknowledge what was given up for us a looong time ago and to take that weekly experience as a reminder of what we’re asked to do as good fathers, daughters, neighbors, and ultimately stewards of this earth.

I’m quite sure other faiths have a similar focus but I thought I’d share my experience.

]]> By: LaTara http://www.momunplugged.com/where-is-the-church-i-want-to-go-to/comment-page-1/#comment-3024 LaTara Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:52:35 +0000 http://www.momunplugged.com/?p=787#comment-3024 I love what you have to say Jenny and like you I am tired of churches that try to get all your money, tell you what's wrong, and never offer solutions or ministries that fit your need. I believe that churches should be communities where there are services offered like drug rehabilitation, sexual abuse counseling, race relations, and other taboo subjects they avoid. I am looking for something more and I know that God will provide :) I love what you have to say Jenny and like you I am tired of churches that try to get all your money, tell you what’s wrong, and never offer solutions or ministries that fit your need. I believe that churches should be communities where there are services offered like drug rehabilitation, sexual abuse counseling, race relations, and other taboo subjects they avoid.

I am looking for something more and I know that God will provide :)

]]> By: Jen http://www.momunplugged.com/where-is-the-church-i-want-to-go-to/comment-page-1/#comment-3023 Jen Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:15:48 +0000 http://www.momunplugged.com/?p=787#comment-3023 I meant to say God helps those that help themselves. And I'm okay with people having troubles, but whole sermons focused on the lack in my life is just not something I can roll with. I've already been blessed again and again and again, where can I shout for joy about that instead of constantly focusing on what's not good enough? I meant to say God helps those that help themselves. And I’m okay with people having troubles, but whole sermons focused on the lack in my life is just not something I can roll with. I’ve already been blessed again and again and again, where can I shout for joy about that instead of constantly focusing on what’s not good enough?

]]> By: Jen http://www.momunplugged.com/where-is-the-church-i-want-to-go-to/comment-page-1/#comment-3022 Jen Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:14:26 +0000 http://www.momunplugged.com/?p=787#comment-3022 I'm in for real church!! The last two churches my family visited (for about two months each) focused PRETTY MUCH TOTALLY on how everyone is poor pathetic and desperate and God can give you money if you give the church money (I'm oversimplifying here, but I'm sure you've heard that one before, I think we all have). I mean, is it a requirement for everyone to be depressed and desperate to be at church? Because every sermon I hear is all about how you can't help yourself, only God can help you (but what about "God help those that help themselves?") Just...can't there be a church where happy people are? Where life doesn't have to SUCK before you start digging on God and loving your community? The second church we were told it was not to be social or to make friends we were there, it was to glorify God ONLY. It was *so* confusing. I’m in for real church!!

The last two churches my family visited (for about two months each) focused PRETTY MUCH TOTALLY on how everyone is poor pathetic and desperate and God can give you money if you give the church money (I’m oversimplifying here, but I’m sure you’ve heard that one before, I think we all have).

I mean, is it a requirement for everyone to be depressed and desperate to be at church? Because every sermon I hear is all about how you can’t help yourself, only God can help you (but what about “God help those that help themselves?”)

Just…can’t there be a church where happy people are? Where life doesn’t have to SUCK before you start digging on God and loving your community? The second church we were told it was not to be social or to make friends we were there, it was to glorify God ONLY. It was *so* confusing.

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