Comments on: Church Attendance http://www.theonlinerant.com/2008/05/10/church-attendance/ Jamie's thoughts, ideas, and struggles Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:26:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Andrew http://www.theonlinerant.com/2008/05/10/church-attendance/comment-page-1/#comment-237 Andrew Fri, 16 May 2008 15:40:30 +0000 http://www.theonlinerant.com/?p=124#comment-237 Good to hear from you... Sounds like a neat position. I do government contracting also and have seen some awesome opportunities overseas. I almost wish I had waited to get married because it's a lot harder to think about taking those positions now. Anyway, I hope that you're able to find some sort of group of "like-minded" people where you are. Good to hear from you… Sounds like a neat position. I do government contracting also and have seen some awesome opportunities overseas. I almost wish I had waited to get married because it’s a lot harder to think about taking those positions now.

Anyway, I hope that you’re able to find some sort of group of “like-minded” people where you are.

]]> By: Alexander http://www.theonlinerant.com/2008/05/10/church-attendance/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Alexander Thu, 15 May 2008 23:19:12 +0000 http://www.theonlinerant.com/?p=124#comment-236 Jamie, I know that there are differences! From childhood I had intensive contact with both churches, alternating weekly I saw the one and the other. I know and I feel the differences. But I am convinced that the main thing is and should be: "we all" are Christians. And I can't find only one single hint in the New Testament about different Christian churches! Re-ligio from the origin of the word means to re-unite. I think one of the badest things is if religion is used to separate people! It should be used to create harmony in myself and to unite with other people. With Christians - and even with other good people. There are plenty on this planet! It is always a matter of point of view: accentuating the differences or accentuating the commonness... C'm on there are always good people around you. Why not celebrating a worship with them. Seeing their way to worship - and to reflect... the differences and the commonness... :-) *~*~*~*~*~*~* P.S.: Of course I accept very well if you feel different ;-) Some days ago I had discussed this theme with a catholic priest. He told me about the excellent relationship in his congregation with the protestant church there. So much that when the church told them to become united with an other catholic congregation for dwindling numbers of members, the members told him the best would be to unite with the protestant congregation around them. Of course this is not realistic... Jamie,
I know that there are differences! From childhood I had intensive contact with both churches, alternating weekly I saw the one and the other.
I know and I feel the differences.
But I am convinced that the main thing is and should be: “we all” are Christians. And I can’t find only one single hint in the New Testament about different Christian churches!

Re-ligio from the origin of the word means to re-unite. I think one of the badest things is if religion is used to separate people!
It should be used to create harmony in myself and to unite with other people. With Christians – and even with other good people. There are plenty on this planet!

It is always a matter of point of view: accentuating the differences or accentuating the commonness…

C’m on there are always good people around you. Why not celebrating a worship with them. Seeing their way to worship – and to reflect… the differences and the commonness…
:-)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

P.S.: Of course I accept very well if you feel different ;-)

Some days ago I had discussed this theme with a catholic priest.
He told me about the excellent relationship in his congregation with the protestant church there. So much that when the church told them to become united with an other catholic congregation for dwindling numbers of members, the members told him the best would be to unite with the protestant congregation around them.
Of course this is not realistic…

]]> By: Jamie Barrows http://www.theonlinerant.com/2008/05/10/church-attendance/comment-page-1/#comment-235 Jamie Barrows Thu, 15 May 2008 03:10:51 +0000 http://www.theonlinerant.com/?p=124#comment-235 Alexander, Catholicism is very different from other protestant services. So much so, that it is almost a different religion. At least it seems that way to me. I have no problem learning about other forms of christianity or other religions, but I do have definite beliefs and convictions about my religion. Right now I'm a bit limited in where I can go because of where I'm located, but this location is only temporary. So when I get back home I'll be able to attend my own church again. Alexander,
Catholicism is very different from other protestant services. So much so, that it is almost a different religion. At least it seems that way to me.
I have no problem learning about other forms of christianity or other religions, but I do have definite beliefs and convictions about my religion.
Right now I’m a bit limited in where I can go because of where I’m located, but this location is only temporary. So when I get back home I’ll be able to attend my own church again.

]]> By: Alexander http://www.theonlinerant.com/2008/05/10/church-attendance/comment-page-1/#comment-234 Alexander Sat, 10 May 2008 21:13:40 +0000 http://www.theonlinerant.com/?p=124#comment-234 Hi Jamie, nice to read you again. Not writing really where you are now, I hope you are not too much in the "diaspora" ;-) Darell's comment in combination with your post seems to me rather funny or some kind of tragicomical. Probably it can lead you to a kind of hermitage finding your own way of Christianity. Not as a final goal but as a way to handle the situation in real or felt "diaspora". If you won't or don't want to take the chance to meet other forms of Christianity. Of course I wish you (both) to find that congregation that will fullfill your needs. And for you much satisfaction in your new life and job. Hi Jamie,
nice to read you again.
Not writing really where you are now, I hope you are not too much in the “diaspora” ;-)
Darell’s comment in combination with your post seems to me rather funny or some kind of tragicomical. Probably it can lead you to a kind of hermitage finding your own way of Christianity. Not as a final goal but as a way to handle the situation in real or felt “diaspora”. If you won’t or don’t want to take the chance to meet other forms of Christianity.
Of course I wish you (both) to find that congregation that will fullfill your needs.
And for you much satisfaction in your new life and job.

]]> By: Darrell http://www.theonlinerant.com/2008/05/10/church-attendance/comment-page-1/#comment-233 Darrell Sat, 10 May 2008 20:41:36 +0000 http://www.theonlinerant.com/?p=124#comment-233 Sorry, man. I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I've got about 500 churches within 10 miles of me and still can't find one I like. I'm not sure which situation is worse. :) Sorry, man. I’m on the other end of the spectrum. I’ve got about 500 churches within 10 miles of me and still can’t find one I like.

I’m not sure which situation is worse. :)

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