My family and I attend a very large church, which is something I never would have guessed would happen, and they have all kinds of programs and events and outings. We are there on Sundays, and then my wife and I do one "job" there. We facilitate a 10-week group, twice each year, that focuses on difficult formative experiences, relational loss, grief, trauma, etc. Heart healing. We're not trying to be therapists or counselors; we're just trying to get people to start talking about these things, start engaging with the parts of themselves that the church has so often downplayed or ignored. And if they feel stuck, we talk to them about getting more help from a spiritual director or therapist.
It's real and raw and full of compassion and grace. I get to actually know who people are through the stories they share, and I get to share myself in the same ways. It's life-giving, affirming, and validating in ways that church never was growing up. It feels like Jesus is in the room with us, one of us. I imagine it feels that way because it's true.
LOVE your sketch on re-orienting your life around Jesus. I too am on a similar journey - Through a program on Spiritual Direction, Jesus is becoming central for me again. Or maybe for the first time I am grieved to say. But what a gift it is to know His love and help others along the way ❤️
I too was changed by a trip to Israel. I went there with 6 others to bring a mini-women’s conference of encouragement to believers living in Bethlehem. We walked the streets of Jericho passing out CD’s containing Christian music and teachings from Pastor Steven Khoury, who along with his father leads the church in Bethlehem and Jerusalem we partnered with (look him up-he’s passionate for Christ). We weathered attacks from the enemy the whole trip including being harassed and threatened by the Palestinians Authority.
Coming home from that trip I became the Women’s Ministry leader at my church for four years. “My church” was a plant from a large Chicago area church org that tumbled when its lead pastor fell in a highly public event. We became a church plant when our own church imploded when it’s pastor stepped down and the remaining elders walked away.
We’ve seen God at work in-spite of the flawed humans involved, including ourselves. We’ve seen many people come and go during these times. We have fought the enemy who tried to isolate us from church many times. We’ve had seasons of serving in the Spirit and serving in our own efforts. As husband and wife those seasons haven’t always been in sync which requires much grace and prayer. Thru it all, we’ve stayed tethered to the vine, committed to Christ and his church are very thankful for every experience to lean on Him.
Well after being on your “free” list up until now, this post finally pushed me over the edge to paid subscriber because I felt so SEEN. I felt I can trust the theology of this one. ❤️ Politically and denominationally homeless is exactly where I’ve been living and it’s lonely and I miss the church even though I am — like you — very happily oriented around Jesus
This--your experience--resonates so much with mine. I feel less alone.
That sketch was very helpful to me. For 50 years the church has been the center. Also, huge thanks for The Understory.
My family and I attend a very large church, which is something I never would have guessed would happen, and they have all kinds of programs and events and outings. We are there on Sundays, and then my wife and I do one "job" there. We facilitate a 10-week group, twice each year, that focuses on difficult formative experiences, relational loss, grief, trauma, etc. Heart healing. We're not trying to be therapists or counselors; we're just trying to get people to start talking about these things, start engaging with the parts of themselves that the church has so often downplayed or ignored. And if they feel stuck, we talk to them about getting more help from a spiritual director or therapist.
It's real and raw and full of compassion and grace. I get to actually know who people are through the stories they share, and I get to share myself in the same ways. It's life-giving, affirming, and validating in ways that church never was growing up. It feels like Jesus is in the room with us, one of us. I imagine it feels that way because it's true.
It's the only thing I like about church.
Great article. I read it with inexpressible interest, your story impressed me.
maybe
LOVE your sketch on re-orienting your life around Jesus. I too am on a similar journey - Through a program on Spiritual Direction, Jesus is becoming central for me again. Or maybe for the first time I am grieved to say. But what a gift it is to know His love and help others along the way ❤️
So good to read this! It came at the perfect time!
How I'd love to go to Israel! Unfortunately, it is waaaay past my budget.
But I am so looking forward to all the writings that will follow your trip :)
I too was changed by a trip to Israel. I went there with 6 others to bring a mini-women’s conference of encouragement to believers living in Bethlehem. We walked the streets of Jericho passing out CD’s containing Christian music and teachings from Pastor Steven Khoury, who along with his father leads the church in Bethlehem and Jerusalem we partnered with (look him up-he’s passionate for Christ). We weathered attacks from the enemy the whole trip including being harassed and threatened by the Palestinians Authority.
Coming home from that trip I became the Women’s Ministry leader at my church for four years. “My church” was a plant from a large Chicago area church org that tumbled when its lead pastor fell in a highly public event. We became a church plant when our own church imploded when it’s pastor stepped down and the remaining elders walked away.
We’ve seen God at work in-spite of the flawed humans involved, including ourselves. We’ve seen many people come and go during these times. We have fought the enemy who tried to isolate us from church many times. We’ve had seasons of serving in the Spirit and serving in our own efforts. As husband and wife those seasons haven’t always been in sync which requires much grace and prayer. Thru it all, we’ve stayed tethered to the vine, committed to Christ and his church are very thankful for every experience to lean on Him.
Love this, Lore!
Well after being on your “free” list up until now, this post finally pushed me over the edge to paid subscriber because I felt so SEEN. I felt I can trust the theology of this one. ❤️ Politically and denominationally homeless is exactly where I’ve been living and it’s lonely and I miss the church even though I am — like you — very happily oriented around Jesus
In it with you =)
Very interesting...I feel the same way about my relationship with the church and Jesus as you...what it used to be...and how it is now...
I suspect that, as all things go, my feelings and relationship with change with time, but this is just where I am today =)