My Church

[Woody]

It's so nice to be able to attend church. Since I don't go very often ... when I do it is good to see the growth, support and encouragement of those present.

One member always mentions me during prayer/praise time. She says it is good to have Dr. 'Red' with us today. She calls me doctor for some reason. I am not a doctor although I did work in a health care profession. But, I think she just wants to give me a title since my wife has one.

Then there is the mother whose daughtor is in prison.

And the piano player was up front in his usual place after being released from jail just this week.

Then there is the episode where the Pastor got interupted during the middle of the sermon by a man who did not agree with what was said. I thought the Pastor did a superb job of handling the disruption.

All in all .... a great Sabbath to be at church.

Just remember to be inclusive of all at your church ... even those who are disruptive and do not fit the norm.

All are Broken.

All are Hurting.

All are Needy.

[carolaa]

Then there is the episode where the Pastor got interupted during the middle of the sermon by a man who did not agree with what was said. I thought the Pastor did a superb job of handling the disruption.

All in all .... a great Sabbath to be at church.

Just remember to be inclusive of all at your church ... even those who are disruptive and do not fit the norm.

All are Broken.

All are Hurting.

All are Needy.

I think it's a big challenge to be inclusive, yet not let certain ones drag the church down or distract the church from doing its work. Hopefully, the ones who are more mature spiritually can confront the disruptive ones and help them grow.

[darlene]

I like your church Redwood. My church is also a very nice one to go to because they do include all people; the youth, the children, the young adults and the adults. Everyone gets a chance to contribute, even those we wonder about sometimes. A church should always be inclusive of all members whether they have things in their past that we wonder about or not. Afterall, all are God's children.

[Woody]

Quote:

even those we wonder about sometimes

Thanks for your comments Darlene. Yes, it is just those "who we 'wonder' about" that we really need to be sure to include.

There are some here at CA 'that "I" wonder about'. But, if they were in my church ... I would want to see them being used and leading in worship. Or maybe I should say 'contributing'.

I would hope that if the table was turned .... and they were the ones 'wondering' about ME ... that they would include me.

I think we can be accepting and inclusive of all. I just wish that the differences in our beliefs .... just didn't matter. What matters is that we come to worship and praise our God. That should unite us.

[darlene]

Yes, I too believe that the ones we 'wonder about' are probably the ones we should include the most.

Too often we critize 'our church' which means we're not really looking for the best. When a person looks at the life Christ lived on this earth you see that He tried to include those who were 'wondered about.' I suspect that if we are His followers we need to do the same.

[Woody]

I have felt it my mission to reach out to those who are 'looked' down on. I guess it started when I was on the church board that felt it was necessary to 'look down' on the 'looked down ones'.

So, when this beloved of God who just got out of Jail ... walked by me and up to the piano ... I felt it my Christian responsibility and desire to make a point of reaching out and accepting him with a hand shake. And it was an 'obvious'one since I sit on the front row. Then when he left the piano to return to his seat ... I didn't want there to be ANY doubt .... so I shook his hand a second time.

Not that many in my church would have any doubts ... but I wanted to make sure that people know they are loved and accepted ... even when they make mistakes.