tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post802576261092938662..comments2007-10-18T07:26:54.804-07:00Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-71051756459089788612007-10-18T07:26:00.000-07:002007-10-18T07:26:00.000-07:00Hey Karl - Thanks for stopping in. I believe this is the beginning of a transition for me back into community...I think that is something which will happen in stages, but setting foot back in a church is a first step.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-41623635271251672432007-10-18T07:20:00.000-07:002007-10-18T07:20:00.000-07:00hey erin, <BR/>we have only met through our friend kathy e, so greetings!<BR/>i find it so interesting that while we all acknowledge that life dynamic, a journey, somehow faith is usually spoken of in terms of certainty, or as if what i believe or need now is it for ever. <BR/>i like the idea of trying church, but of course going to church is not the same belonging to community. but for you, it is clear that is what needs to happen, for now. love that....<BR/>karl, the refugeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-73458027610429593872007-10-17T17:49:00.000-07:002007-10-17T17:49:00.000-07:00Thanks so much Cindy...you could be on the moon and you'd still be a good friend :-)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-61419349576462263692007-10-17T17:26:00.000-07:002007-10-17T17:26:00.000-07:00hey erin. i know what a big step it is for you. i'm here for you too... allllll the way down here, but here nonetheless!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16015836604614281485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-66039381668362451472007-10-17T08:19:00.000-07:002007-10-17T08:19:00.000-07:00Thanks Rhonda.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-27261953782049135952007-10-17T08:15:00.000-07:002007-10-17T08:15:00.000-07:00Beautiful Erin.Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18352928421716515304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-73715889713166539032007-10-16T15:36:00.000-07:002007-10-16T15:36:00.000-07:00Sue - I absolutely understand where you're at. If you had asked me a couple weeks ago I still would have said I was NEVER going back. I don't think it's something we can bring about ourselves...and it's not meant that everyone go back...it's something that must be inspired in us. This is what has happened for me.<BR/><BR/>I don't know where this process will take me, I don't even know if I will go for longer than the 30 day experiment...because it gives me the heebie-jeebies. We shall see.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-66404923611680076452007-10-16T15:33:00.000-07:002007-10-16T15:33:00.000-07:00KE - I think you touched on something I've been learning...church really is about the people and the relationships.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-41344513438499653882007-10-16T15:14:00.000-07:002007-10-16T15:14:00.000-07:00I love how following Him is sometimes counter-intuitive, sometimes seemingly turning and going back the way we came - even though it turns out it's nowhere near the way we came.<BR/><BR/>Me, I'm not quite there yet in terms of being able to go back to a Sunday morning meeting. The blood still drains from myself at the thought. Which, of course, says more about me than anything else :)<BR/><BR/>I look forward to hearing about your experiences, Erin. It's amazing how many people are coming to the same conclusions you are.Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01122659239039900398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-81203213355710001322007-10-16T14:06:00.000-07:002007-10-16T14:06:00.000-07:00Good to know. :)<BR/><BR/>The purpose of going to church is only to fellowship really. Well, to praise/worship and listen to His Word is also important, but not necessary in a church.<BR/><BR/>God didn't make us to be isolated from the people around us. Sure, there's Internet, but it's a whole lot different than meeting people and talking to 'em, share personal thoughts and whatnot.<BR/><BR/>The current church I go to, I don't quite like it either. Fellowship is quite minimal there, and I also attend another church at the end 'cuz I know the people there too. But it's central in one's growth in/with God. Over the years, one can notice tremendous growth, not only with oneself, but also others. ;)<BR/><BR/>Well, of course, one must learn how to let go of whatever imperfection the church or an individual may have. It's part of earthly life anywayz. :)<BR/><BR/>All the best!KE Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959942175376408140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-73455821954838650842007-10-16T12:34:00.000-07:002007-10-16T12:34:00.000-07:00Donna - All this and now I'm not going to get to be there? What the heck?!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-48565328794553689542007-10-16T12:33:00.000-07:002007-10-16T12:33:00.000-07:00Gary - I was going to kiddingly say "turns out you're right and I'm wrong"...but the truth is I know you understand and I appreciate it.<BR/><BR/>You voiced something I have thought about...losing my "unchurched" status is a real 180 for me and for my writing. I don't know what God's got in mind for that...we'll have to wait and see.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for being a friend.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-18283767411707827202007-10-16T12:27:00.000-07:002007-10-16T12:27:00.000-07:00Cyndi - Got your link. Thanks!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-56496925878871014722007-10-16T09:40:00.000-07:002007-10-16T09:40:00.000-07:00And I hope you feel better soon!!!donnavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125404390283700448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-90441379036048047122007-10-16T09:39:00.000-07:002007-10-16T09:39:00.000-07:00I hadn't even thought about me getting out of my commitment!!! HA But I think there will be a problem as it now looks like it will be the Sunday you are in Seattle....you might get out of it!!donnavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125404390283700448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-72422679081799384272007-10-16T07:55:00.000-07:002007-10-16T07:55:00.000-07:00Erin, I applaud your courage in your decision to visit church again. I know that you have been deeply wounded by the institutional church. I would imagine that your visit(s) will trigger some unpleasant or even downright painful internal reactions. <BR/><BR/>I think another reason this is a huge thing is the fact that you have been vocal about being one of the unchurched. So to go to church might make you feel as if you are being inconsistent or violating your principles. I know that you have received some good-natured kidding because of that. But I think that everyone respects the fact that your decision comes from listening to the Voice of the One. It's also cool that you have been very clear that this is your decision for you, and not your mandate for others. You've handled this quite nicely. <BR/><BR/>May God guide your steps. May He give you wisdom, healing, and grace as you engage in this bold experiment.Gary Meanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13213758384049656850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-22676308849603350172007-10-16T05:14:00.000-07:002007-10-16T05:14:00.000-07:00Ok, I didn't want to do it. God wouldn't let me alone. Here's my post:<BR/><BR/>http://cynthiaclack.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/wwjdwtc/Cynthiahttp://cynthiaclack.wordpress.omnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-89286084196849859562007-10-16T03:07:00.000-07:002007-10-16T03:07:00.000-07:00Hi erin,<BR/><BR/>I am starting an emergent cohort in Portland. Mike Clawson mentioned that you might be interested in coming/helping... ?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, shoot me an email or blog comment and let me know if you'd like me to add you to my email list to keep you informed.<BR/><BR/>Peace!Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371406028679573966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-50117250922041762482007-10-15T22:16:00.000-07:002007-10-15T22:16:00.000-07:00Rainer - Hey, welcome. Glad you wanted to participate! I'll check out your post as soon as I can, but I did add you to the list.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-17378941072514543482007-10-15T21:33:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:33:00.000-07:00Stumbled across this blog - and this topic - yesterday...<BR/><BR/>So, I figured I would add my two cents worth to the conversation here:<BR/>http://oddideas.com/?p=86Rainerhttp://oddideas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-12835230452664914832007-10-15T20:21:00.000-07:002007-10-15T20:21:00.000-07:00Kathy - Got it! ThanksErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-79565495840684945632007-10-15T20:19:00.000-07:002007-10-15T20:19:00.000-07:00well it's not midnight yet!<BR/>the refuge's post is up here.<BR/>http://blogtherefuge.blogspot.com/2007/10/what-would-jesus-do-with-church.html.<BR/>tomorrow i will look forward to reading all the blogs that participated. thanks, erin, and everybody for their great thoughts.kathyhttp://www.therefugeonline.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-61253697801434701652007-10-15T17:38:00.000-07:002007-10-15T17:38:00.000-07:00That's OK Kathy...I'll keep an eye out for your post.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the kind words.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-9738901280287948282007-10-15T17:13:00.000-07:002007-10-15T17:13:00.000-07:00hey sorry the refuge is tardy. i'll email you when it's up, later tonight. we have had all kinds of computer woes. <BR/><BR/>ps: erin, enjoyed your post. i think it's great you're listening to what God is leading you to and just taking your time, doing it for you. just one wing flap at a time.kathyhttp://www.therefugeonline.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-77626446468411387582007-10-15T16:29:00.000-07:002007-10-15T16:29:00.000-07:00Hey Sue - I do agree with you and I understand what you are saying. The last 3 years for me has been a journey of learning the difference between church and Church. I'm hopeful that I won't confuses the two again.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate your nagging, but I do think Some Voices nag louder. And this is just an experiment.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.com