Sunday, February 20, 2011

Thoughts?

     So I started to actively participate in church communities and events in the last year or so. Before I was more concerned about my own life to really get involved in others' lives. It's been a pretty cool experience and I can see why God asks us to live life with others rather than going solo.
     That being said I have a bit of a bone to pick with how church culture tends to play itself out. I'm not a fan of the forced feeling that many "fellowship sessions" tend to give off. I understand that if we don't schedule time out to pray and communicate that it probably won't happen; but at the same time I find the best discussions I have with other Christ-followers about the Kingdom happen on their own in a natural setting. Between the many groups and studies I've been attending it's started to feel like a chore.
     Now maybe this is because I'm naturally a little restless and it's hard for me to sit and talk for too long in one place, but sometimes I get tired of all the talking we do. I don't want to sit around and discuss loving others. I want to do it. I don't want to talk for hours about being bold and reaching out. I want to practice it.
     Then again this might just be where I am at the moment. But I really feel like I've been called to throw out all the curriculum and start in on the application.
    

13 comments:

  1. Agreed. There are many times when I feel restless, too. I especially felt like this on Saturday. And sometimes it's not only that...cynicism creeps in as well. And I think I'm just cautious by nature, though at times I also let myself go. I guess I still have a lot of myself to figure out.

    I'm sort of new to this "church culture" aspect as well, and a part of me also questions the "fellowship sessions." I'd rather just do it, rather than talking about it. I want to spend time with God, rather than talking about God. I want the real thing, rather than talking about what's real.

    In short: I think we should all hang out sometime after one of the Saturday nights.

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  2. agreed. totally agree. in one aspect, I am grateful for all of these little gatherings because in searching for community, I am also searching for something to do with myself. would it not be better to do something with others that is not just discussion, but doing... I think so.

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  3. i couldn't have said it better. while the organized times we set to talk about "being bold and reaching out" are beneficial and i think necessary, they are pointless if we aren't practicing them outside of those discussions. lets do life together! i agree with david, lets hang out after our meeting next saturday!

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  4. i totally agree. actions always speak louder than words. if we are just spectators in the whole game of life then whats the point. Christ calls us to be a light to the world and if we are consumed with conversation how can that happen?

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  5. Rad. I feel the same brother and I think it comes from a heart that's on fire. I think I'm the same way because I don't want to just listen to the Word, but actually be a doer of the Word (James 1:22) and put my money where my mouth is, so to speak.

    This is profound, though. I think that we can often find ourselves going to things that, for some reason, seem repetitive and mundane. I think that there is a positive and negative side to this. I think it is good to be involved in scheduled events because it keeps us grounded and stable in a set reflection time to spend with God and others so as it doesn't become just about meeting up for the heck of it. If that makes sense.
    I am very much more of a freestyle-fellowshipper and I love just doing Kingdom work wherever I go and with different people at any given time so I feel ya! I feel ya.

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  6. I'll be praying that God gives you opportunities to live out the gospel and spread love to the world. I definitely agree with you and your desire to want to act. I've found that if you ask the Lord to give you opportunities, He will. Be bold!

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  7. Ryan, be His hands and feet. Do it. Praying for you in this.

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  8. If we don't start in on the application then all of the curriculum is in VAIN! This is so good! A great challenge for us all to put our faith into action. Thanks for this post Ryan =)

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  9. ya man lets not sit around and talk about, lets get out there and do it!

    Amen to that

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  10. Its awesome to see God light this fire in you to go out and move and shake things up for the good. You'll be in my prayers.

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  11. Of course...if we don't take the time to really think through discipleship, what we're called to, and discuss our thoughts, opinions, and strategies, the body of Christ could end up looking like a lot of people trying to do "something" without really having any clarity as to what that "something" should be.

    Organization and Coordination are our friends...and they typically happen through discussion.

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  12. Balance.

    Some just talk and never do. Some do and never reflect or direct.

    Not the black and white, we reside reolutely in the grey.

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  13. I agree that it takes a balance, but if the Holy Spirit is leading-go!

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