Comments on: In the church not of the church http://ohbuoyancy.net/2009/05/02/in-the-church-not-of-the-church/ Keeping Me From Sinking Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:32:44 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Reese http://ohbuoyancy.net/2009/05/02/in-the-church-not-of-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-1707 Reese Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:25:38 +0000 http://ohbuoyancy.net/?p=348#comment-1707 Hi Jesse, I think it's important to accept new comers (and not so often comers) as friends, not as someone who is on a lower level because they aren't "in the church" or maybe they are, but they're not members of your church. Inviting them to activities outside of services is important, but you have to genuinely want to be their friend, and not see them as an outreach project. As for the gossiping aspect of church fellowship, this is a little harder. People want to bash it, but then do it themselves. The preacher will even speak about it, but right after service it's happening still. I've known maybe two girls from the church I grew up in who absolutely refused to gossip and that's awesome; however, people like them need to stand up against gossip more. If someone is gossiping around me or to me, I usually try to change the subject. If it were to go on it's a good idea to say something to let them know I'm not comfortable, if necessary I'll leave the room and make sure they know why. (This is not to say I've never been guilty of gossip, I'm not perfect by any means). Hi Jesse, I think it’s important to accept new comers (and not so often comers) as friends, not as someone who is on a lower level because they aren’t “in the church” or maybe they are, but they’re not members of your church. Inviting them to activities outside of services is important, but you have to genuinely want to be their friend, and not see them as an outreach project.

As for the gossiping aspect of church fellowship, this is a little harder. People want to bash it, but then do it themselves. The preacher will even speak about it, but right after service it’s happening still. I’ve known maybe two girls from the church I grew up in who absolutely refused to gossip and that’s awesome; however, people like them need to stand up against gossip more. If someone is gossiping around me or to me, I usually try to change the subject. If it were to go on it’s a good idea to say something to let them know I’m not comfortable, if necessary I’ll leave the room and make sure they know why. (This is not to say I’ve never been guilty of gossip, I’m not perfect by any means).

]]> By: Jesse Phillips http://ohbuoyancy.net/2009/05/02/in-the-church-not-of-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-1705 Jesse Phillips Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:57:34 +0000 http://ohbuoyancy.net/?p=348#comment-1705 how can we fix this? how can we fix this?

]]> By: sir jorge http://ohbuoyancy.net/2009/05/02/in-the-church-not-of-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-1674 sir jorge Wed, 06 May 2009 05:19:27 +0000 http://ohbuoyancy.net/?p=348#comment-1674 the problem I have with the church is how unfriendly it is, i've tried hard to make new friends in this new city of mine, and I thought the church would be a good source, not so. No friends in the church, no friends out of the church due to preconceived notions about christians and that's that. the problem I have with the church is how unfriendly it is, i’ve tried hard to make new friends in this new city of mine, and I thought the church would be a good source, not so. No friends in the church, no friends out of the church due to preconceived notions about christians and that’s that.

]]> By: Scott http://ohbuoyancy.net/2009/05/02/in-the-church-not-of-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-1673 Scott Mon, 04 May 2009 18:30:46 +0000 http://ohbuoyancy.net/?p=348#comment-1673 This is mainly my problem with the church too. I also see it as too political and judgmental. I came this conclusion after a long time of being in a church that from the outside looking in now was absolutely bad to be in. Too perfectionist and just not good at all. Plus, that church had some other issues (personal) that is related as to why I just quit wholesale on the Church in general. Like you, I love God and I believe, but I just can't take it, the human-ness (I made that up) of it all. Plus, you are right to say you live in the world. It is something that can't be ignored. I would like to go back to church and I do somewhat enjoy going, but I just can't. I can't take the people, the culture (especially that and growing up in it was SO lame) or the semi-backwardness of the thinking. The B/W world doesn't exist. I am happy to say that I absolutely am glad to be in the world too, otherwise how could relate to it. I have friends that are of all other religions and one of my best friends is an atheist. How could I say that if I were to wall myself off in the 'comfort' of the church? I can't! I don't embrace that. Also, thanks for writing this post, it is something that (obviously) has been on my mind for a long time. This is mainly my problem with the church too. I also see it as too political and judgmental. I came this conclusion after a long time of being in a church that from the outside looking in now was absolutely bad to be in. Too perfectionist and just not good at all. Plus, that church had some other issues (personal) that is related as to why I just quit wholesale on the Church in general. Like you, I love God and I believe, but I just can’t take it, the human-ness (I made that up) of it all. Plus, you are right to say you live in the world. It is something that can’t be ignored. I would like to go back to church and I do somewhat enjoy going, but I just can’t. I can’t take the people, the culture (especially that and growing up in it was SO lame) or the semi-backwardness of the thinking. The B/W world doesn’t exist. I am happy to say that I absolutely am glad to be in the world too, otherwise how could relate to it. I have friends that are of all other religions and one of my best friends is an atheist. How could I say that if I were to wall myself off in the ‘comfort’ of the church? I can’t! I don’t embrace that. Also, thanks for writing this post, it is something that (obviously) has been on my mind for a long time.

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