tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post7125670479754593101..comments2024-03-27T03:19:11.216-04:00Comments on Assistant Village Idiot: The Fellowship Of The SaintsAssistant Village Idiothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978011985085795099noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-33096823817314711732017-04-12T10:16:42.739-04:002017-04-12T10:16:42.739-04:00Having moved around a little and shopped for churc...Having moved around a little and shopped for churches, I have to agree with you. In Texas, we were about 15 minutes from our church down the freeway, but we might as well have been a days travel as our congregation was spread all over Allen, Plano, Richardson, Wylie, and other surrounding cities (most of which will easily swallow Manchester). We had great participation at church wide social events, but we had to be careful to not make them too frequent lest attendance and comity declined.<br /><br />Then we moved to far southern Arizona. There was only one "city" with surrounding towns (and Fort Huachuca). Everyone was constantly going into Sierra Vista to do shopping, sports, entertainment, & c. So, it was easier to get together and build a community through out church.<br /><br />Now we live just East of you, in Chester. When we moved up here, we had three criteria in this order: Sound doctrine, near to home, and a strong effort to raise children in the church. We found that at Bethany in Raymond, but the pickings were slim. I no longer criticize or work to change my church. I strive to be part of it and only offer my help and advice (regarding improvements) when asked.Armed Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04503281970335620895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-4635371900233004292017-04-12T09:17:30.154-04:002017-04-12T09:17:30.154-04:00Right, Screwtape recommends encouraging the patien...Right, Screwtape recommends encouraging the patient to be as picky as possible about the social or incidental stylistic aspects of the church, but to be completely indifferent to its rigor of doctrine ("about those questions the more lukewarm the better").Texan99https://www.blogger.com/profile/10479561573903660086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-63356486689848914902017-04-12T08:15:46.309-04:002017-04-12T08:15:46.309-04:00In CS Lewis's Screwtape Letters, the mentor, S...In CS Lewis's Screwtape Letters, the mentor, Screwtape, is giving the young demon, Wormwood, lessons in how to bring about the fall of a man. I had seemed to recall, though never understood, that one of the lessons encouraged the demon to have his man shop around for church. Well, I found this brilliant summary PDF, and cannot copy the related passage, at point #16. He seems to say that by seeking the best church the man becomes a critic rather than a worshipper and learner. And then they discuss the vacuousness of some church leaders, so, I think maybe negating the advice. Confusing.<br /><br />Link: http://www.rcwalton.com/Screwtape%20Letters,%20The.pdfjayniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01154170498624176800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-58540192574966408092017-04-11T10:29:13.267-04:002017-04-11T10:29:13.267-04:00There's only one Episcopalian church in this l...There's only one Episcopalian church in this little town. It would be quite a drive to find the next nearest one. I've honestly attended very few services in any other denomination in my life. A seasonal liturgy combined with scriptural readings and frequent communion--they all suit me. Of course, it might do me good to attend services that were a bit more spontaneous and personal, as uncomfortable as I would be.<br /><br />This church is small enough that I can get to know many of my co-parishioners well. We tend to run into each other in town pretty often. There are more opportunities for me to be involved in church affairs, and even interdenominational things like the community suppers, than I take advantage of as it is.Texan99https://www.blogger.com/profile/10479561573903660086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-60547422531157462022017-04-10T21:50:09.159-04:002017-04-10T21:50:09.159-04:00Who serves my Father as a son is surely kin to me....<a href="http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/i/i236.html" rel="nofollow">Who serves my Father as a son is surely kin to me.</a> Though some churches get pretty far out there. And, long term, attending a church where I cannot participate isn't a wonderful option.jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792036361407527304noreply@blogger.com