From Lefty: My Church Family
Here it is, with The Rifleman's notes in parentheses:
My wife and I started attending a church about a mile from our house a little more than 4 years ago (6 years ago for The Rifleman). We have grown quite attached to our small church and the good folks who worship with us. The thing that attracted me most when we first started attending was the authenticity of the other worshipers. I never felt like anyone was putting on airs or pretending to be something they weren’t (The Rifleman felt there were a handful, but Lefty addresses what happened to them shortly). I still feel that way today. My church family is very dear to me.
The past year has seen us endure a great deal of turmoil. We lost about half our membership, dwindling from four weekend services to three, and then two. It has been discouraging at times, but never once did we ever consider joining the exodus. In fact, the thought of changing churches and starting over again is physically nauseating. I cannot fathom walking out on my church family at this point. They are simply too dear to me. It would be like a divorce.
We live in an age when church membership is considered disposable. People will “church hop” at the slightest provocation (the Rifleman is reminded of this song), and the concept of unconditional loyalty to the church is foreign. Church people are excited when there’s growth and things are humming along smoothly, but turn fickle when there’s turmoil and dwindling membership (The Rifleman cannot tell you how many left because they saw others leaving - not because they had issues with the causes of the turmoil... but it was easily 2/3 of those who left).
I enjoy seeing my church family every time I’m there. Everyone is there is there for a reason, and everyone who has weathered this storm and stayed loyal to “the bride of Christ” has been tested and refined by fire. Good for all of us. I don’t know if our numbers will ever return to what they were a year ago, but that’s not something I control. The one thing I do control is taking church membership and the church family serious enough to stay loyal and not be affected by rumors and innuendo.
I have nothing against anyone who left (the Rifleman has no issues, either. A small handful were liars, but the Rifleman did call them that directly... and they were either unwilling or unable to make something of that; so they agreed they were liars by default). I’ve never once tried to talk anyone out of leaving. I leave them alone and expect them to reciprocate. I’m thankful that I stayed put because there is great value and reward in loyalty.
The Rifleman agrees, 100%.
Here it is, with The Rifleman's notes in parentheses:
My wife and I started attending a church about a mile from our house a little more than 4 years ago (6 years ago for The Rifleman). We have grown quite attached to our small church and the good folks who worship with us. The thing that attracted me most when we first started attending was the authenticity of the other worshipers. I never felt like anyone was putting on airs or pretending to be something they weren’t (The Rifleman felt there were a handful, but Lefty addresses what happened to them shortly). I still feel that way today. My church family is very dear to me.
The past year has seen us endure a great deal of turmoil. We lost about half our membership, dwindling from four weekend services to three, and then two. It has been discouraging at times, but never once did we ever consider joining the exodus. In fact, the thought of changing churches and starting over again is physically nauseating. I cannot fathom walking out on my church family at this point. They are simply too dear to me. It would be like a divorce.
We live in an age when church membership is considered disposable. People will “church hop” at the slightest provocation (the Rifleman is reminded of this song), and the concept of unconditional loyalty to the church is foreign. Church people are excited when there’s growth and things are humming along smoothly, but turn fickle when there’s turmoil and dwindling membership (The Rifleman cannot tell you how many left because they saw others leaving - not because they had issues with the causes of the turmoil... but it was easily 2/3 of those who left).
I enjoy seeing my church family every time I’m there. Everyone is there is there for a reason, and everyone who has weathered this storm and stayed loyal to “the bride of Christ” has been tested and refined by fire. Good for all of us. I don’t know if our numbers will ever return to what they were a year ago, but that’s not something I control. The one thing I do control is taking church membership and the church family serious enough to stay loyal and not be affected by rumors and innuendo.
I have nothing against anyone who left (the Rifleman has no issues, either. A small handful were liars, but the Rifleman did call them that directly... and they were either unwilling or unable to make something of that; so they agreed they were liars by default). I’ve never once tried to talk anyone out of leaving. I leave them alone and expect them to reciprocate. I’m thankful that I stayed put because there is great value and reward in loyalty.
The Rifleman agrees, 100%.
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