Comments on: My Church Visit

by: Jeff S.

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:25:31 +0000

His smile is not sincere. It has intentions. His eyes have an agenda. I think he thinks he knows more about me than he thinks I think I know about myself. His soul is raping my soul,

Isn’t it amazing what one can learn about peoples motivations from a handshake? Amazing indeed.

by: LeftCoastCurmudgeon

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:19:56 +0000

After reading through the comments, particularly the exchange between davidbmc and nakedpastor, I just couldn’t sit quietly by without adding my own …

I have regularly attended a couple of very conservative, fundamental (baptistic in doctrin and practice) churches aver tha last 33 years, and have observed some of what nakedpastor refers to here - the apparent judging and expecting of some behavior.

However … I have to agree with david, in that the entire piece seems to me to be both extremely judgemental, as well as prejudicial - in the exact meaning of the word - deciding judgement before the facts.

Whenever I go into a situation with firmly established expectations of what I expect to be the outcome, I find myself afterwards either smugly satisfied that my “prejudice” was correct, or picking the experience apart to find fault and thereby validate my pre-formed expectations.

Just my observation, but I think nakedpastor would not have been comfortable in a gathering of believers in the early first century church unless he found it fully in compliance with HIS expectations of what it should be.

Just my personal observation, and probably worth what you paid for it.

by: Julia

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 21:34:40 +0000

davidbmc,
I’ve read many of your past comments on this blog and have appreciated them. Please forgive my use of such an emotionally-loaded word.

When I read David’s piece, I was struck by the seriousness of this kind of church experience. David went once and left. There are so many people who have this experience Sunday after Sunday for a very long time. I did. I thought my discernment was judgment, so did not question as I should have (plus I was young, naive, and searching for God). I still think that going through this kind of thing (being “handled”) every Sunday is akin to some sort of abuse. I know it’s a strong word. Sorry if it offends. Perhaps I should have worded it differently. I don’t know if this clarifies any thing.

I think coercion is such a serious thing that if I didn’t attend a church that valued love, authenticity, and community, I would leave the church forever and not look back - and I’ve been going to church for a long time (though I’m not as old nor as wrinkled as the naked pastor)!

by: davidbmc

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:07:03 +0000

If I do not feel oppressed or pressured, am I not discerning? Maybe I’m just not oppressed or pressured. I have been in the past. But I feel like I am now in a healthy well balanced church. But we do use the bible as a guidebook so I suspect you would feel pressured.

I’m not sure what a church could do that would not make you feel pressured.

My real question for you David, just because I’m curious about Julia’s comment, did you feel abused in that service?

From the earlier post I also think we dont agree on the definition of judgmental so I wont argue that point. If you dont feel like you are being judgmental i will accept that.

Love & Mercy,
David Mc