My Wife & I were traveling this week. We went to visit our Son & his family.
We decided to go to Sacrament meeting in a different city/ward. (We don't do that very often.)
We heard talks from members we didn't know. We met members we didn't know & they didn't know us.
What I'm trying to say is: there was no personal history, no reputation and no expectations.
Everyone introduced themselves or we introduced ourselves. It was a very pleasant experience.
We were in Illinois. A city of less than 20,000 including the students from the state college.
Our son teaches at the University & the Bishop, who teaches at the same school, knows him.
(Our son does not attend church.)
What I'm trying to say is: we've lived in the same ward our whole married life. (50+ yrs)
I'm wondering if some of the issues I'm having with the church, might be due to, in part, with living a "stagnant" life?
50+ years in the same place is too long. Everyone at church knows your business, beliefs, etc.
It was good to get out & meet new people.
A New Perspective.
Re: A New Perspective.
Some of those issues that you might be having with the church may be re-categories into "church community" issues - which would be part of having a "stagnant life". "Everyone knowing your business" can be good (with a friend group) or bad.Minyan Man wrote: ↑16 Jul 2024, 08:39 What I'm trying to say is: we've lived in the same ward our whole married life. (50+ yrs)
I'm wondering if some of the issues I'm having with the church, might be due to, in part, with living a "stagnant" life?
50+ years in the same place is too long. Everyone at church knows your business, beliefs, etc.
It was good to get out & meet new people.
But it does beg the question that "could you get out and meet new people in the local community" to reduce some of the stagnation? Would it be worthwhile to do so (as a concept), if so - what does that look like?
It's not easy - on some levels, you become a "people tourist in your area" as you get to know people and communities.
As part of my faith transition, I wound up having to go out and "meet people" and recreate a community (on some levels) for myself and my children because they deserve to grow up in relation to others and practice being connected to others as part of being a human. It is super tough - and I have leaned into the members who I have met who are willing to associate with us and be our community understanding our faith transition.
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SilentDawning
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Re: A New Perspective.
A change is as good as a rest.
We noticed a big boost in our church interest when we moved into a ward near a temple in a major city. The people were wealthy Mormons and were very good at what they did. They were excellent teachers and had a lot of strong testimonies. We came home from church each week literally filled with the Spirit. So, the ward you are in can have a big impact on your spirituality.
During those times we didn't have any concerns about the church, and there were times when I left the church meetings, when they concluded, thinking I couldn't get enough of the church experience...So, yes, the Ward you're in can have a big impact on your overall spirituality in my experience.
We noticed a big boost in our church interest when we moved into a ward near a temple in a major city. The people were wealthy Mormons and were very good at what they did. They were excellent teachers and had a lot of strong testimonies. We came home from church each week literally filled with the Spirit. So, the ward you are in can have a big impact on your spirituality.
During those times we didn't have any concerns about the church, and there were times when I left the church meetings, when they concluded, thinking I couldn't get enough of the church experience...So, yes, the Ward you're in can have a big impact on your overall spirituality in my experience.
"It doesn't have to be about the Church (church) all the time!" -- SD
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. No price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
A man asked Jesus "do all roads lead to you?" Jesus responds,”most roads don’t lead anywhere, but I will travel any road to find you.” Adapted from The Shack, William Young
"The wise man has the power" -- adapted from What A Fool Believes -- The Doobie Brothers
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. No price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
A man asked Jesus "do all roads lead to you?" Jesus responds,”most roads don’t lead anywhere, but I will travel any road to find you.” Adapted from The Shack, William Young
"The wise man has the power" -- adapted from What A Fool Believes -- The Doobie Brothers
Re: A New Perspective.
I mentioned in another post that my ward was disbanded on merged with another ward. We have been intentionally avoiding church meetings to try to stay under the new bishopric's radar until most of the major callings have been assigned.
I think visiting a new ward would be freeing because there would be no strings attached.
I think visiting a new ward would be freeing because there would be no strings attached.
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood
“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223
"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223
"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
Re: A New Perspective.
We rarely visit other wards while travelling either, but we have. Like you MM, I have lived in the same ward for many years (over 30) and while it was once vibrant and growing it has been headed the other direction for many years now. I know everybody, I can pretty much tell you which people will get up on Fast Sunday, what order they will get up, and what they will talk about (and for how long). I did appreciate the opportunity I had to visit other wards as a high councilor, and the difference can be somewhat refreshing. Getting out and about once in a while is probably not a bad thing.
In the absence of knowledge or faith there is always hope.
Once there was a gentile...who came before Hillel. He said "Convert me on the condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot." Hillel converted him, saying: That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow, this is the whole Torah, and the rest is commentary, go and learn it."
My Introduction
Once there was a gentile...who came before Hillel. He said "Convert me on the condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot." Hillel converted him, saying: That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow, this is the whole Torah, and the rest is commentary, go and learn it."
My Introduction