A common statement I hear from church folk is if we had more programs people would come - the whole field of dreams philosophy. And while in theory this works people forget that's more to having programs in a congregation. It takes time, money and talent. And when I say time and talent I'm not just saying that it's the minister's responsibility. I've seen that the biggest complainers about lack of programming are the ones who don't show up to things most of the time. I've heard the excuses "they had soccer, band, ROTC" the list goes on and on. I'd hate to tell people this but with the rise of social media and when your whole family are my friends I know that you are not busy with those things every weekend. You just choose not to show up. And when you choose not to show up that's when the frustration kicks in. Think about it...most people don't like to work hard to create a program to not have people to show up. Why is it okay to think that your pastor is above that? If we plan for 20 and only get 2 it's very frustrating. And all too often our job performance has attendance used as part of defining if we're being effective or not. When did activities in congregations become dependant solely on the pastor. Lets think about it...if you want there to be programs then 1) you need to show up and 2) you need to support it. If you think that programs will bring in people then you need to show up to them. New people don't want to sit in an empty room. This all really comes down to priorities...if you think things are so important then make it priority. Otherwise you need to rethink how you evaluate others and your congregation because the problem is not just with your pastor.
Last night I had dinner at a restaurant I eat at at least twice a month. Usually I'm in a group but I was by myself. It's not often that I have time by myself right now so I welcomed the time to sit and eat food someone else cooked. I sat in the booth by myself and kept to myself. I had a book with me and my palm labyrinth so I was entertained and felt like it would be a productive time to self and with my self. But the comments from the trio of ladies across from me was anything less then pleasant. Now if you don't know me let me be clear, I am a big lady. I believe the clinical definition of my size would be morbidly obese. I am aware that I take up more physical space then I should. I don't fit into every booth in a restaurant. Believe it or not I do own a mirror and do use it even though I don't enjoy it. I am also aware that I am my size by my own doing and no one else's. I do not expect the world to accommodate me for being this way. If you want me to p...
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