Comments on: Sleeping in on Sundays: Why I left the church in college

By: Ana Mizzo Overton

Ana Mizzo Overton — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 03:22:51 +0000

Now imagine a woman with an MDiv with a specialization in Biblical languages (preaching degree) and what heart ache she experienced within the church and how even she is looking for that sweet gathering of Christians and not finding it in church!

By: Kelsy

Kelsy — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:13:08 +0000

Bethany, I’m so glad you relate! You’re so right about balance–it can be tricky (especially for former Kairos scholars who were basically taught to critically examine everything.) It’s easy to find the logical flaw or falsehood, but difficult to remember that everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Pastors and ministry leaders need to be taken down from the pedestals of perfection we so often put them on.

By: Kelsy

Kelsy — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:07:14 +0000

Yes! This is all I want and more. Great comment Julianna–I’m so glad you found a home community. I want what you’ve found! I also want to basically frame this comment.

By: justastheyare

justastheyare — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:05:15 +0000

Great post! I see why it took longer to write than others. I think you’re right – church SHOULD happen whenever and wherever, and that’s called community. And formal church is frustrating in almost literally every way because it so seldom reflects that community from which we derive life. I honestly would be right exactly there with you if my story had been a little different – I had an awesome church growing up, and by awesome I mean Scriptural first and completely communal. It was the Church being the Church and just calling the church house its home. When I moved to Cleveland, not a single church I visited reflected this model. I would have given up, what with the building projects (amen) and topical sermon series and the “It’s all about YOU (the members)” atmosphere. But I knew that good church existed, so I kept looking. I new I had found my home when I stumbled upon a medium sized congregation who met in an unassuming little coffee shop, where the Word was preached only and everyone stayed after service to ask how my day was. THIS is why I believe that church is important: when done “right,” it’s only making that necessary gathering of believers an intentional, regular occurrence. It’s not about the praise band, even when the light show says “Look at me!” It’s not about the pastor’s witty illustration, even when he pauses for a laugh. It’s about involving yourself in a community of believers, the big “C” Church, in a way that holds you accountable to the commitment. Maybe it doesn’t sound authentic, and maybe your experiences with Sunday mornings haven’t been, but I hope for you that you will find a church home that allows you to be.

By: Bethany Wood

Bethany Wood — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 00:25:59 +0000

Kelsy, dearest, you’ve put my thoughts down on paper. I’ve been (and am?) a part of the 60% too. The rhetoric of the church frightens me, and I’m coldly skeptical of any sermon or lesson to which I’m subjected. Balance is hard to achieve without dipping too far into cynicism or blind acceptance, and it’s something I struggle with every day. It’s good to know I’m not alone.