Sunday Came and Went

We had a good as well as interesting experience at the mennonite church on Sunday. It was a smally church with about 75 folks who were primarily older in age (those our age were at a retreat) and they met in an old YMCA. The worship service was first and it was very simple and included some hyms and a mini-sermon. The sermon was all over the place and inculded a skit of the healing of Jarius' daughter (Acts). Sunday school was next and it felt like an anti-war protest. They had been studying black leaders (MLK Jr., Malcom X and this week was Fredrick Douglas) and their contrabutions to society. As great and important as some of these individuals are, I'm not so sure Bible study is the place to be discussing them. MAYBE i would understand if one took these leaders and placed their agendas and/or contributions and placed them next to the biblical text to see their merit or lack thereof in light of the text. But this was not the case, it was more of starting point to bash US policies (granted some bashing is needed) and the bible was left at the door. They even made Malcom X out to be a non-violence advocate. Go figure?

We enjoyed the service (not so much SS), but I don't think we're Mennonites, so the great church hunt 06 continues...

church issues

Perhaps the hardest situation to deal with here in ABQ has to do with the church. We're really struggling with where to place oursevles, or maybe more theologically correct, where God wants us placed.

We've been to lot's of different churches. At one of them we are the youngest by almost 50 years and it seems to be dying. At another (one we thought we would land, primarly due to some friends who go there) they want to spend the next two weeks in Sunday School talking about the BFM of 2,000 and its importance for M's overseas (this is after a HUGE veternans day salute in the chuch complete with Slide show of Jets and planes in war which we were willing to overlook). They also said that that when you join this church you are saying you believe the BFM. These two examples seem to reflect our overall experience.

Here's the struggle: Liz and I have believe that it is imperative for Christians to be in communmity with other believers, but how do we do this when the majority of churches are so different they us (and not that we are the standard of "right"). Liz and I are afraid to be ourselves and say what we believe, primarly due to what's already been said about the things we feel are important (ie. inerrancy, women etc..), we try not to sit there in judgment but i think we might often fail. We just seem to have a differnet outlook on so many things! Of course maybe we shouldn't look so hard at certain theological turningpoints and focus on what we do have in common (romans 14 and 1 cor). But then are we being true to who we are? Can we really expect to be able to look past some important differences and celebrate what we do have in common?

After much searching Liz and I did find that there was a mennonite church here in ABQ, so we are going there Sunday. Maybe we'll have better luck.

no more sling!

It's been a great past few days. We just got back from Vero where I performed my brothers wedding. It was such an honor and alot of fun. Believe it or not, I didn't mess up at all. I actually felt pretty comfortable up there in front of all my family, friends and people who have just watched be grow up. I figure that might be the toughest wedding I ever have to do (with the exception of possible FUTURE kids).

I also just got back from the Dr.'s office. I start therapy next week and I don't have to wear that sling anymore. I'm estatic.