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Original poster

Pull up a pew and join the Christian chat thread, continued...

270 replies

EddSimcox · 30/04/2018 18:36

Church chat and all related things... weak coffee, dodgy tunes, rubbish attitudes... and the uplifting, inspirational, and hilarious too.

OP posts:
Insieme · 29/07/2018 13:44

Yeah, wiggypiggy, I definitely don’t hate gay people, or anyone else really! A lot of people make that assumption without bothering to ask me what I think though. 🤔

I’ve been glad that other Christians have come on the thread and given different points of view; if nothing else, we’ve demonstrated that it doesn’t matter too much that we disagree on some things, we agree on the most important things.

Madhairday · 10/08/2018 08:27

Hello all! How are you?

I'm at New wine and been to some great talks. I went to a seminar yesterday on sexuality which was brilliant. The speaker was really calling the church out on homophobia and talking about radical inclusion. He said whatever standpoint we come from we can unite in welcome and love without judgment. He said we'd let people down so badly and things need to change. Very interesting guy, gay himself but goes by the traditional biblical narrative of marriage but somehow without making any judgment on those who don't & just talked about how we need to be working together wahtever our view and stop shouting at each other. He was lovely :)

Also went to a fascinating talk by a woman who had escaped N Korea then was hailed back to a prison camp for her faith, then started a church in the toilet as the only place they could talk and worship. Incredible, brave woman.

DragonNoodleCake · 10/08/2018 09:41

Oh @Madhairday I've heard that North Korean lady talk - she is amazing

Claredemoon · 10/08/2018 09:44

@Madhairday I've always wanted to go to New Wine, those talks sound fascinating.

Madhairday · 10/08/2018 15:24

Oh Claredemoon you should come - there's just nothing like it for igniting faith big big time :) it's just so, so lovely in every way (except the toilets and showers, but you can't have everything) Grin 😍

Claredemoon · 10/08/2018 15:33

@Madhairday hopefully next year! Grin

CishAndFips · 15/08/2018 09:55

Hello all. I've not been around for a while. I've had some Internet problems. How is everyone?

Madhairday · 15/08/2018 14:54

Hi CishandFips, good to see you back, sorry about your internet problems. How are things going for you?

I'm doing well - on a bit of a high today as my book proofs have just arrived which means this is really happening (yikes) I've got to take them on holiday to check them through.

applesandpears33 · 15/08/2018 18:08

Hi Insieme - I hope you don't mind me asking, but how do you cope with feeling that your views are sometimes at odds with the leadership of the church you belong to? I am in a similar position, but bottle it all up inside and then rant to DH later on.

CishAndFips · 16/08/2018 10:01

Hi MHD. Excellent news how exciting.

DragonNoodleCake · 22/08/2018 22:20

@Madhairday that is way too exciting

DragonNoodleCake · 22/08/2018 22:22

My DGS stole a mic after the service this week...''twas too cute

Pull up a pew and join the Christian chat thread, continued...
CishAndFips · 23/08/2018 08:37

Very cute indeed Dragon

Insieme · 24/08/2018 12:28

Apples and pears I pretty much do the same thing - dh is used to me ranting over Sunday lunch, in fact he often joins in!

I've been a member at my church for over 20 years. I'm firmly embedded in that fellowship, and I love the people. Theologically, it's a good fit for me. But it remains somewhere in the mid twentieth century on many issues, some important, some not. We had a new pastor about 3 years ago so there's been some change, some for the better, some not, in my view.

A few years ago we tried a couple of other churches but found we were happier where we are, despite some misgivings. We live in a semi-rural area where there aren't many churches anyway, so the choice is not huge!

When it gets me down, I remind myself that churches are never perfect, and neither am I. Disagreeing with someone, even if they are leaders, doesn't mean we have to fall out. We're all rubbing each others' rough corners off, hopefully!

Madhairday · 26/08/2018 21:07

Oh Dragon how adorable!

Have any of you read any Nick Page stuff? He's written a series of books about Jesus and then the early church- I'm reading one about the spread of Christianity through the Roman empire at the moment, it goes into a lot of historical detail and is really bringing to life for me what things were like for the very earliest Christians. Makes me appreciate even more how radical their message was and how countercultural their lives were - and how amazing it was that this small band of followers took off into this massive movement of grace and love. I love reading about the roots of our faith, so exciting! It's just a historical account, really, or at least a piecing together of things from the bible and other writings but I do find it fascinating.

How is everyone?

BroomstickOfLove · 27/08/2018 09:35

This thread stopped showing up on my "threads I'm on" list, so I've missed loads.

I hope that lots of people are at Greenbelt. I'd love to be there.

thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts · 27/08/2018 09:41

I've been reading Nick Page's Revelation Road and was really enjoying it. Today is the first day of 2 weeks off so I'll dig it out and finish it. It's really hard to take holidays at home as we live opposite the church so maybe I'll slope off to a garden somewhere and drink tea and read.

kiltedsheep · 27/08/2018 18:25

I've just got home from Greenbelt. It was my first time, and I absolutely bloody loved it. Despite the horrendous rain yesterday! I feel really inspired by all the talks and performances and just the general vibe of love and hope.

And I'm normally a pretty cynical person who cringes at fluffy, hippy stuff Grin

Dutchoma · 27/08/2018 21:28

Glad you had a good time.

Madhairday · 28/08/2018 11:12

Sounds amazing, kilted. I've not been for many years but it always did have that very GB vibe about it. I think Edd is there too- hope you had a wonderful time.

Original poster
EddSimcox · 07/09/2018 09:01

Hello @kiltedsheep yes I was at GB too. Glad you enjoyed it! It sure was wet but I did have a great time. Felt slightly underachieving amist all that inspiration but that's ok - good to be humbled and in awe!

How is everyone? All back to school etc here, after a fun and busy summer. I've just joined the preaching rota at my church (there's only the vicar, an SSM, a Reader, one academic theologian, and now me, so it's mega scary!) Blush

Also, for those following my relationship drama, I am back with DP Grin

OP posts:
DragonNoodleCake · 07/09/2018 19:08

I hope that's a good thing @EddSimcox 😁😁

Life is crazy right now. Not sure if you lot remember but I got made redundant and started a new regional manager job almost an hour commute away - 13 weeks ago.
The day after I started they got notified of their first US inspection which starts a week on Monday - pretty much the main reason they hired me as they knew it was soon coming. The last 13 weeks have been full on and the last two weeks just downright crazy. Want to get September done! I just need to keep remembering God made me who I am and good at what I do and I need to be confident that I have got this.

I did get 4 days away in the Algarve with my best friend in an adults only luxe hotel! We totally have to do that every year, it was officially the most relaxing holiday I have ever had.

Madhairday · 08/09/2018 10:23

Hey Edd and Dragon!
Dragon that does sound full on and stressful. Hope the rest of it goes smoothly - you've got this.

Edd, so glad you enjoyed GB. Know what you mean about that feeling of intimidation watching all these amazing people- just remember though that's how God sees you and you're who he created to be you. Fabulous you! How are things being back with DP - do hope and pray all is well and things are more peaceful.

Not so well today, had a good run but feeling like infection is back :(

Madhairday · 27/09/2018 17:49

So, where are you all then?

We need a nice meaty subject to discuss :)

I've been ill this week and trying to write lots of articles for the book launch. It's really ramping up, I feel pretty overwhelmed but I am on a lot of meds!

Here's one. I was reading the parable of the ten minas in Luke. Any interpretations/thoughts on it? I don't get how the ruler could be Jesus, as he says himself he takes what isn't his etc. Read some different theories. Any ideas?

mostlydrinkstea · 27/09/2018 18:15

Hello. I'm Greenheart in temporary disguise as I've mucked up my passwords. It is a bit lively here as I ran a fundraising event that was not a church fete. I have mortally offended people never wanted to do another fete but didn't like me not doing one and doing something different. I've just spent this afternoon with someone who has had the same in his church. So fetes. Or Fayres.