At Home, At Church

In an article written by Lisa Miller, she quotes that according to a recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public life, seven percent of Americans say they attend religious services in someone's home. This surprising number has been "lost" while the media claims that Americans are still vague at best in their religious practices. Seven percent is quite a number when you consider atheists in America are around six percent and Jews account for two percent of the population. For so many Americans to be praying at home speaks not just of religious pluralism but what so many Christians have been saying recently; the established ways of worship aren't working anymore. The mega-church with its Wal-Mart approach to spirituality has become a fixture of the suburban landscape. What sets them apart is the family atmosphere: the potluck supper where the bread and wine are served- and, above all else, the expectation that every member contribute prayers, teachings and songs. House church members support each other, encourage each other, hold each other accountable and mentor each other . Their meetings are a shared responsibility, a time set aside for praising God and appreciating each other. Like beer, food, magazines and music, people are rejecting the one -size-fits-all approach and yearn for a church experience that is more personal and homemade.

Laments & Promises

2009 was a terrible year for me. A laundry list of disappointments, challenges, and lack of pretty much everything. I can't remember a time when I felt more discouraged but especially in my spirit. I am praying that 2010 will be better. For the first time in my life we went to a food pantry to get assistance with groceries. In the past, we were there to make donations or help bag up the food. This time we were clients. Help from family and friends was also necessary and no matter how lovingly that help is given, it does not take away the feeling of loss and failure. In spite of the fact that we were not alone and that many friends were in the same boat, we still found ourselves feeling lonely and disconnected. What I did learn from all of this is that there is a whole lot of people suffering out there. That the struggle is not week to week but sometimes minute by minute. I felt so helpless when I would hear stories from others worse off than me and yet I was unable to help except to offer a listening ear. While I didn't loose my faith, it certainly became weak. I struggle every day just to gain an inch on rebuilding it. I hope in 2010 to make myself better and stronger and to forge a stronger relationship with God and His people. Human misery can be overwhelming to the point where I became paralyzed from it all, and that is the worse thing that can happen. As much as I want to do God's work, I must arm myself with the necessary tools or else risk becoming a victim of the devastation around me. I pray this will be a better year for me, for all of us.