Will you answer some questions about church for me?
Hey, my Substack is free. Could you help me by answering at least one question?
Mount Carmel (Lake Carlos in Alexandria, MN) is hosting a Young Adult Retreat January 17-19 and you can find out more or even register at the link above. All young adults are invited—there will be many from the various Greenhouse Collective (WMPL Discipleship House, Faith Greenhouse, CLBI, The Awaken Project). I am speaking on “I believe in the church,” and I could use your help.
I am wondering, really wondering some things. Would you answer at least one of the following questions? All ages and stages of faith are invited to answer! Share it with someone you think would help answer too! One or two sentences about any or all of the following questions:
Why do you keep going to church? Or, why haven’t you given up on church?
Why did you stop going to church? Or, why have you given up on church?
What is hard about church?
What is captivating about church?
Why do you keep going to church? Or, why haven’t you given up on church?
I want to love everything that Jesus loves and Jesus loves the Body of Christ. I enjoy the “flavor” of the diffrent charisms of each “familiy” of churches. I am particing in a church of young adults and they receive me as papa Joe
Why did you stop going to church? Or, why have you given up on church? I haven’t stoppped.
What is hard about church? The church is mainly left brain trained and taught, missing the 4 nutrients of the soil of the other half of church (right brain, heart) 1. Joy 2. Hesed attachment love 3. Group identity 4. Healthy correction. We have websites that include our beliefs which are necessary and don’t include our rule of life--who we are --our group identity. What is missing are teachings and prqctices for emotional and relational spirituality. I would include them in our group identity--rule of life. Also the “church” is not making disciples, apprentices of Jesus who are with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, doing what He did--practicing the way.
We are held captive by social medial, mobilie phones, wifi, online stuff. Almost everything is had about church--slugging along. I am thankful for streams of Holy Spirit which are still thriving--often para church--healing stream (everyone gets to play--heal the broken hearted) worship songs, kingdom of God proclaimed, taught and demonstrated, all kinds of prayer, spiritual direction,
What is captivating about church? I enjoy the many charisms of different parts of the Body of Christ--Holy Spirit streams as well as individual flavors (heart values and characteristics of apprentices of Jesus, I am stepping into the kingdom which is available now.
papa Joe, Portland Oregon.