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?