In the recent discussions here on putmeinabox, church affiliations have been debated. What do those affiliations say about a person? Does one have to support the denomination as a whole to be a happy member of a certain church? I don’t think so.
I admit to being a Baptist. I find a personal heritage within the Baptist tradition. I find comfort in the familiar aspects of tradition in some ways. I like the memories hymns trigger. I grew up a GA and my girls are in GA programs (Girls in Action, a class for girls teaching missions). As an adult I have struggled with some aspects of Baptist theology. I admittedly do not believe some of it, and I question the rest. I do love the church.
The church to me is a community. People coming together in various ways. There are fun times and activities. People are around when there is a crisis for support. I hope these people are around when there are doubts and questions. Church should be a journey of life together. Church should people to get along with others, sometimes some you would not have chosen as a friend. I had unconditional love through church. I was supported by an extended group of people growing up through my church. I was taught to give–money to an extent, but more importantly to me is giving my time, my food, my clothing, my compassion, myself.
I met with my pastor and told him I doubt. He asked what concerned me–I told him most everything. I don’t doubt God, struggle a bit with Jesus. I wonder sometimes why Christians think other religious are full of crazy ideas, yet we embrace our own ideas as rational? I told him, I love church though. He asked, what do I get out of church that is different than what could be achieved through a social club or charity? I don’t know the answer. I feel it is different for me, it may be my personal attachment to the community traditions of church.
Any thoughts?
