Return of the Back-Slider

I decided to take the plunge on Saturday night and go to my old church's Christmas function. Typically, we all had to wait outside for half an hour or more while a Business Meeting concluded...

During our wait not a single person came up to talk to me. They stood in their holy huddles and chatted, while I sat off to the side, ignored and unwelcomed. Lovely. Perhaps they think "back-sliding" is contagious?

Once inside I managed to find some co-workers who were glad to see me and spent the rest of the evening in their company. One old friend asked where I'd been, he thought I'd already moved to Australia (but didn't bother to check). I had to lie and say "here and there" - I don't think he'd understand my journey at all, and it would take more than a few hours to explain even if he did.

My son had a ball - kids always do - running with the pack and exploring in the dark. Sometimes I wish us adults could connect as freely and without prejudice.

More and more, as I look at our traditional churches, especially in this area, I'm concerned by what goes on. Where's the Being Church that is the basis of it all? Where's the acceptance? Why do they still cling to traditions and narrow views, with no room for anything other than The Right Way (according to us) To Do Things? Where's the community, the love, the serving and giving?

I wish I could shake them until their eyeballs rattle, tell them to wake up to Real Christian Living. I wish they could find the freedom and peace I have. I wish they'd re-think what they're doing and not doing.

Instead, all I can do is live what I believe and hope it may light just one spark when next I come into contact with them.