Comments on: The experiment (or why I’m angry about church). . . http://restoredtograce.com/2008/12/09/the-experiment-or-why-im-angry-about-church/ searching for my place in the picture God is painting Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:08:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: J Cubed http://restoredtograce.com/2008/12/09/the-experiment-or-why-im-angry-about-church/comment-page-1/#comment-50 J Cubed Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:20:00 +0000 http://restoredtograce.com/?p=125#comment-50 I'm very happy for you that you are taking this step. It's been something that I've really been wondering about for a while. Nate, as a brother in Christ, I've felt somehow very hurt over the time that we have gotten to know each other and feel slightly disconnected (ironically contrary to what the topic of this blog is) from you. I hope that you will use the time that God has put on your heart to contemplate on what ways God wants to change your life. For me, this is honestly my way of seeing God. I find God through the puzzle pieces of goodness that I get from people. The other thing that I do see is a desire to fit in with the in-crowd. I've been told by certain people (who will not be named for their sake) that relationships in the church should be focused with fellow congregants and not with the leadership. This was a mistake that I made that I'm learning more and more how to deal with this. There are some leaders who are people pleasers who try to be best friends with everyone. It's not physically possible for them to be best friends with everyone at Liquid. I hope that you see that this is not meant to hurt you but to help you hear some hard truths that have been held inside of me for a very long time. Please be careful about what you say and do. Find that time alone with God. Make friendships that are meaningful and how God meant them to be. You have a lot going for you, Nate. Even though there are parts of me that have difficulties with certain attributes to your character, I still support anything that is a step in the right direction. You are in my constant prayers. I’m very happy for you that you are taking this step. It’s been something that I’ve really been wondering about for a while. Nate, as a brother in Christ, I’ve felt somehow very hurt over the time that we have gotten to know each other and feel slightly disconnected (ironically contrary to what the topic of this blog is) from you. I hope that you will use the time that God has put on your heart to contemplate on what ways God wants to change your life. For me, this is honestly my way of seeing God. I find God through the puzzle pieces of goodness that I get from people. The other thing that I do see is a desire to fit in with the in-crowd. I’ve been told by certain people (who will not be named for their sake) that relationships in the church should be focused with fellow congregants and not with the leadership. This was a mistake that I made that I’m learning more and more how to deal with this. There are some leaders who are people pleasers who try to be best friends with everyone. It’s not physically possible for them to be best friends with everyone at Liquid. I hope that you see that this is not meant to hurt you but to help you hear some hard truths that have been held inside of me for a very long time. Please be careful about what you say and do. Find that time alone with God. Make friendships that are meaningful and how God meant them to be. You have a lot going for you, Nate. Even though there are parts of me that have difficulties with certain attributes to your character, I still support anything that is a step in the right direction. You are in my constant prayers.

]]> By: Elisabeth http://restoredtograce.com/2008/12/09/the-experiment-or-why-im-angry-about-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Elisabeth Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:01:21 +0000 http://restoredtograce.com/?p=125#comment-49 You make a very good point. That's one of the things I'd say I had the most difficulty with when I first started attending. I DO love the people and the message and worship are always great, but I really need those iron-sharpens-iron relationships in order to really grow spiritually. One of my best friends actually stopped going there because he felt it had turned too much into a social event. :( I'll be back at church this Sunday. See you there. You make a very good point. That’s one of the things I’d say I had the most difficulty with when I first started attending. I DO love the people and the message and worship are always great, but I really need those iron-sharpens-iron relationships in order to really grow spiritually.

One of my best friends actually stopped going there because he felt it had turned too much into a social event. :(

I’ll be back at church this Sunday. See you there.

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