Do you find church tiring or draining?

Only sometimes. Most of the time not. Okay draining more often than tiring. I also tend to go with an objective in mind, that energizes me, if I meet the objective in full measure I find myself dancing out to the car.

Today we had a wonderful two wonderful engaging Sacrament talks. A rousing closing hymn. And fairly good discussions that I participated in during the other hours. I also got to talk to some wonderful ladies about a Service idea they had. So not today.

Now after church – I can sleep like a log.

I wouldn’t say tiring as a rule, but draining sometimes. I think I relate to what Mom said, but I don;t know if I go with an objective in mind. Would you mind sharing some examples of objectives Mom? I might like to try that.

I speakers were also good today, and the hymns were very good. While I can’t say I have any idea what SS was about, but I did have the opportunity in HPG to share what some insights into what it’s like on the other side of the “lost sheep” story – when you’re the lost one. Likewise, I shared some thoughts about why it’s hard to come back. That part of the discussion turned into how awkward it can be for the members as well and they never know what to say. I told them to just say “Hi.” That’s it, no “We’ve missed you” or “It’s been a long time” or anything else – a simple hello will do. So, like Mom, I can’t say today was draining.

I realized today I don’t have any friends there. They ones that are active or interesting are there for the administration and to further the goals of the organization — not to be friends. A handshake, a few pleasantries, and that’s it…

Mostly just boring. It’s like you hear the same thing over and over. Canned questions and canned answers

That would sum it up for me, with a 3rd place for “frustrating at times.”

I keep hearing over and over where some people needed to step away from church for a while in order to be able to re-engage. I feel that is the point I am at.

I realized today I don’t have any friends there. They ones that are active or interesting are there for the administration and to further the goals of the organization — not to be friends. A handshake, a few pleasantries, and that’s it…

At the risk of sounding like an After School Special, maybe to find a friend you need to be a friend.

I realized today I don’t have any friends there. They ones that are active or interesting are there for the administration and to further the goals of the organization — not to be friends. A handshake, a few pleasantries, and that’s it…

At the risk of sounding like an After School Special, maybe to find a friend you need to be a friend.

I have known the people in that ward (the stable ones with home ownership) for 10 years, and I know they are so busy with callings that socializing outside of formal church activities is a hassle for them. Further, I have spent enough time with them to know that I don’t have a lot in common with many of them. Add to the fact that what we have in common (Mormonism) is a topic I have to be VERY careful about, it makes it tough.

Having something to do was always the thing that helped me engage with the local Ward or Stake, but you know where I stand with that — my commitment is in the community now and I go to please my wife and at least get some character training for my son. I think my daughter likes seeing us as a normal family at church, which is another reason.

Being drained too comes from the constant, 3 hours of reminders about what led me to my unorthodoxy, how I am not buying into most of what I hear, and how I feel like a second class citizen in the ward because I have chosen not to follow the textbook.

Outside of the church context, I don’t feel drained at all.. It’s partly a result of the choice I’ve made (or at least, feel COMPELLED TO MAKE) to be in a non-standard Mormon. Plus the personalities of the people in the Ward.

I want so much to be spiritually fed by going to church, but most of the time, it just doesn’t happen. Take yesterday for an example. The whole sacrament meeting was about scout camp and how great the scouting program is. There was no mention of Christ or anything spiritual until the closing speaker, and I was just really frustrated. Instead of being spiritually fed, I ended up being spiritually drained by the experience. Sadly, this is quite typical for my Sunday experiences at church.