How was church today?

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As a non church attending person I admit that I am more tempted to listen to those who speak in love than with dogmatic assertions. I have met several males who claim to be clergy who mostly seem to be concerned about 'telling others what to believe, what various Bible verses mean and (of course) reminding everyone that women are on the earth to provide maid and sexual service to males'.

Pretty useless stuff in my opinion (which I am entitled to).
 
Sometimes it takes a lot to get some curiosities up over the secret Christianity that disposes of the power thingy ... thus allowing genteel relations between those that previously hated to know beta ... second place?

Second contender is the stranger that comes up to assist the alternate self after the Christian clubbed eM ... such impacts and incidents are not uncommon ... adding to the funny momentum of religious humus ... popping up as satyrs ...

There has to be another side ...
 
I delivered a tough message at one of the oldest churches in the city last week. I re-wrote it many times so that it wouldn't be offensive! It dealt, in part, with the rise of agnosticism and atheism, and also, in part, with the Bible not being word for word dictated by God, which is a dividing point for some people. I was reading a book called: Peter, Paul and Mary Magdalene, which influenced my thinking. I also researched the author Bart D. Ehrman and watched him speak on you-tube videos. The music in this church is liking being in a concert hall. The congregation is as close to aristocracy as a humble steel city can get. I am at the other end of the socio-economic ladder, so felt strongly outclassed.

Afterwards, many people stated that it was a message they needed to hear, and seemed genuinely grateful. I was even asked to return, but I had to turn them down (doing too many services; might get in trouble with Presbytery). The music director and I had a meaningful talk about faith afterwards, including the doubt that many of us entertain on occasion.

My next message at a different church promises to be less intense.
 
Nancy said:
I delivered a tough message at one of the oldest churches in the city last week. I re-wrote it many times so that it wouldn't be offensive! It dealt, in part, with the rise of agnosticism and atheism, and also, in part, with the Bible not being word for word dictated by God, which is a dividing point for some people.
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I could help you make that message less offensive. It's what I do.
 
I know the sort of church to which you refer, Nancy. I couldn't deliver that message in our similar congregation in B_____ without resorting to major snark...
 
Nancy said:
Should have thought of you chansen! (Actually, I did.)
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Not sure if I should be proud or apologize.

Bet ya I could get laughs from at least half the congregation. They other half would be distributing torches and pitchforks, but mobs are easier to outrun than you'd think.
 
....the voice of experience! :-) My grandfather said he was an atheist. He died when I was 15, and I never quizzed him about it. He attended the church that I spoke at last week. Wonder if there's a connection.
 
Nancy, you said,
"Afterwards, many people stated that it was a message they needed to hear, and seemed genuinely grateful. I was even asked to return, but I had to turn them down (doing too many services; might get in trouble with Presbytery)."

Congratulations on the positive feedback. It's always nice to hear when you've put a great deal of thought and effort into an endeavour.

I understand that you are a LLWL, as I am. I am puzzled by your statement 'might get in trouble with Presbytery'. I know that different Presbyteries do things differently, but does your Presbytery keep track of and limit the number of services you do, and where you do them? I don't think my Presbytery has any idea how often or where I am serving unless it comes up at a short interview each year when I remind them that my license needs to be renewed. Then I tell them - last year it was 12 Sundays, at three different Pastoral Charges (two of which had two services a Sunday). Once, about ten years ago, I did 25 Sundays (usually 2 services a Sunday), the bulk of them in two different Charges.
I can't imagine Presbytery stepping in and telling me that I can't (or shouldn't) be responding to a request. Instead they seem pleased that I am available to meet a need. Sometimes if I am not available services in a little rural area have been cancelled for the week.
 
Seeler -- I think our Presbytery is suffering a little angst about how much they are depending of LLWL. Ministers retire, and we have no one to fill the need. Often churches could only afford quarter-time, half-time, or a third-time, which does not entice someone to move to Northern Ontario.

When we go for our interviews, some of us have been told that we aren't doing enough and we should be available all the time (this said to one who is also an organist and is only available for about 4 Sundays a year). Others are told that they are doing too many and how do they think they will be fed? Others assume that LLWL just find sermons on internet and repeat them, so it's not a very hard job. Sometimes there feels like a lack of respect, or even consideration sometimes.

I've had some gruelling interviews, that made me feel horrible. Others have told me the same. Some potential LLWL are taking a break from it because their interviews have been so devastating. This year, I am booked for 27 Sundays, not all at United Churches, though. I have turned down quite a few, either because I'm already booked, or I need a Sunday off once in awhile. This Sunday coming up is a Sunday 'off', but I just got asked to teach Sunday School.

So much need...
 
Nancy said:
Seeler -- I think our Presbytery is suffering a little angst about how much they are depending of LLWL. Ministers retire, and we have no one to fill the need. Often churches could only afford quarter-time, half-time, or a third-time, which does not entice someone to move to Northern Ontario.

When we go for our interviews, some of us have been told that we aren't doing enough and we should be available all the time (this said to one who is also an organist and is only available for about 4 Sundays a year). Others are told that they are doing too many and how do they think they will be fed? Others assume that LLWL just find sermons on internet and repeat them, so it's not a very hard job. Sometimes there feels like a lack of respect, or even consideration sometimes.

I've had some gruelling interviews, that made me feel horrible. Others have told me the same. Some potential LLWL are taking a break from it because their interviews have been so devastating. This year, I am booked for 27 Sundays, not all at United Churches, though. I have turned down quite a few, either because I'm already booked, or I need a Sunday off once in awhile. This Sunday coming up is a Sunday 'off', but I just got asked to teach Sunday School.

So much need...
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Thanks for explaining Nancy. Until recent years I was the only LLWL in our Presbytery - needs were met in various ways - retired ministers, UCW, elders, musical Sundays, joint services with another church, etc. I often wondered how other Presbyteries worked with LLWLs.
 
Today's sermon was on youth suicide. Opened some old wounds for me as I nearly checked out a couple of times when I was younger. A good sermon, nonetheless, and a moving talk as part of the sermon by a mom who lost her son to suicide 5 years ago. Even with the passage of time the deep hurt was still there. Anyone, who says time heals all wounds is wrong.
 
You just never know said:
Today's sermon was on youth suicide. Opened some old wounds for me as I nearly checked out a couple of times when I was younger. A good sermon, nonetheless, and a moving talk as part of the sermon by a mom who lost her son to suicide 5 years ago. Even with the passage of time the deep hurt was still there. Anyone, who says time heals all wounds is wrong.
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Right with yah ... and then we get those to say forget it ... or even say it never happened to you ... you must have imagined it.

Imagination appears to be a powerful thing to people who imagine voids ...
 
@You just never know : I am glad you are here. I am sorry that the service was hard for you. I wonder if others had the same experience in the congregation. It is hard to know how somet things will be received,, yet, that one seems like a probable challenge to talk about
 
First Sunday back in St. Anthony.

Who said you cannot go home again? (I actually know who said it the question is rhetorical).

It has been an up and down week. The obvious ups are being back with my settlement charge to help them out of a jam. Helps me as well. The less obvious downs are the fall out from the last pastoral relationship which will need to undergo some healing.

It isn't the worse mess I have been asked to help clean up.

But there is some new ground I am going to have to navigate through. At least I have a head-start trust wise.

I recorded the sermon and am playing with putting the audio up and a transcript I'm not fully conversant with the technology yet.

Toughest thing about walking back into the sanctuary year after year is all the faces I am not seeing again.
 
Our church service today was a celebration of our pastor's return to us following an extended mission trip to Africa. I preached from Psalm 84 on the happiness of being in the Lord's presence. We also had Communion. Afterward, we enjoyed a good fellowship and lunch.
 
Never sure about that sheep shepherd passage from John 10. I much prefer goats to sheep. Makes a particular bias for me to get over every time. I really liked the Acts passage from today; sounds so much like ' classic socialism".
 
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