Let me skip ahead . I pastored three congregations, two for substantial periods of time. I helped people find faith, I helped them move towards better mental health, I accepted people who were often rejected, and performed the rituals of the group known as the church. Occasionally I had a few minutes to let faith grow, but as often the conspiracies of life, disappointment and betrayal probably helped faith wither. Net gain? Net loss? I'm not sure.
I currently attend a churchy congregation. I've had a chance to be with some of these fine folks in situations where we talk, share, learn, and wonder together. Many of the questions these older folks seem to mess with are questions often raised in third, fourth and fifth grade Sunday School classes. I think back, and they were the questions raised most often in that college-age group I was accepted into when God first tapped me on the shoulder.
They are not questions that help me, or help most people, find faith, grow in faith or live faith.
At least, they are not questions that help as far as I can tell. They are somewhat on the order of, "Where did Cain get his wife?"
So, in many ways I am still asking, "Can anyone tell me where to go to grow in faith, not bigotry. to grow in faith, not mere belief. to grow in faith, and thus in agape love?"
What has your experience been? I look for the positive, not the negative. Leave a comment and let us know.
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