Monday, March 17, 2008

Random thoughts

I realize more and more how out of touch I am. And sometimes I wonder why I care and sometimes I wonder if it matters and sometimes I am really embarrassed.

How does a Pastor go about teaching a congregation when the congregation doesn't see the need? When the value of learning Bible stories or hymns is quite low but perceived by the people to be okay? When it breaks my heart, I can only imagine how much more it must break the heart of the Pastor and even more so the heart of Christ.

The only nice thing about the kids wearing holes in their jeans throughout the winter is that now that some days are more spring-like, I don't mind them wearing those jeans outside getting full of mud.

I've enjoyed reading Alexander Dumas's "Three Musketeers" and "Twenty Years After." This week I'll pick up at the library "The Man in the Iron Mask" in order to finish the trilogy.

Why do so many Christians not attend services during Holy Week?

Why do I care what other people think?

4 comments:

Kristi Heinz said...

Wow, it sounds like we are at the same congregation. I suppose it is everywhere! I can add one to that list though...

Why do parents think it is okay to send their daughters to confirmation with strapless dresses or dresses with sparkles. We don't allow sleeveless in our school, why would it then be okay in the Lord's house?

I recently quite directing handbells. I guess I was having a bit of a temper tantrum, but just a few weeks before Easter 5 of my 12 members were not going to be attending. They were going to a basketball game and one was out of town, vacationing, didn't even tell me they would be missing. I had had enough. Where are priorities these days?

I am with you sister! I guess all we can do is pray!

Glenda said...

Thanks Kristi, because I often think "well so and so has it better" or "it would be better somewhere else." But really I know that's not the case but how in tarnation does it ever get turned around in the right direction? That is what upsets me the most and drives me crazy and I'm not the one responsible for the sheep!

Kim said...

Why do so many Christians not attend services during Holy Week?

There are so many reasons why people may not attend but it doesn't mean they don't want to. I look at the services at my home church and realize the times are just too late for most of the congregation since they cannot drive at night. There are a number of people who drive a ways and cannot make it there in time because of traffic. There are commitments that others have made and cannot change. Still others may not even have a decent church near them. I for one am always quite jealous of pastors' wives since they know they can trust their pastor and they live so close to church. They never have to worry about their husband's job interferring with church activities :)

Kristi Heinz said...

Okay Kim, putting the best conctruction on things is always the right way to go. I often don't do it as I should. I can tell you, however, that the church here does have a pastor they can trust. We have 200 in attendance on Sunday morning, and I can tell you that less than 50 people attended at Lenten services.

One of our memebers is getting married the night before Easter, and is having her rehearsal on Good Friday! Good Grief!!! Of course she is not getting married at our church. She found a Methodist pastor to marry her in a hall above a nursing home. Not my idea of a dream wedding!

I know there are some that just cannot get out at night, so on Good Friday we offer a service at noon.

I don't beleive our priorities are where they should be these days, if we are speaking generally.