|
|
Post by Howard UMC on Jan 30, 2013 21:03:03 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by suerepine on Feb 2, 2013 13:50:47 GMT -5
For me, it happened just as the myths lay it out: I left high school, left the church, questioned religion during college, and then went back to the church once I had a family. I think the church was once a hub for family social life; children grew up spending time at church events and came to feel that the church was a haven. As our culture has changed, families have a broader range of social opportunities. Children aren't developing the same connection to the church; thus, as they become adults, they leave the church because they don't have those ties to the church. Read more: howardumc.freeforums.net/index.cgi?board=firstboard&action=display&thread=1#ixzz2JlkW5vZt |
|
|
|
Post by craigrose on Feb 3, 2013 17:47:09 GMT -5
Yeah, my life was pretty similar to the myths article too, but I kept going out of habit. In high school, I went because my family was going but I didn't think it was very relevant. And then in college, I went some but it literally was a place to take a nap on Sunday morning... I was young and very sensitive to hypocrisy- whether real or imagined... personally I did need to explore other beliefs, and then take "ownership" of Christianity, be willing to accept it "warts and all."
I think one thing need to remember is that we can trust God to take care of the Church- it might be very different than what we have today, in fact, many of the church buildings could easily close in our lifetimes if trends continue, the Gospel and the Church will go forward, in some new, exciting form (i.e. search Reverend Lorenza Andrade Smith, I met her a few months back- a UM pastor to the homeless, living homeless with them! -not saying that is the answer, but one possible way....)
But that being said (we don't have to worry, God is in charge) what can we do now, to help the church help people now? I don't know for sure, but I think the answer lies in 1) Authenticity- because people today can smell a sales pitch, just to get them into church, and in 2) Relevance- see that something important is really happening....
|
|
