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Ann, you nailed what I’m feeling. The only thing keeping me at church is my family. If I left, I would definitely attend another church. Probably something non-denominational. But, that would cause all kinds of problems in my marriage. So, I just go back every week and try not to roll my eyes for three hours. Going through an FC, and then rebuilding your testimony, based on what YOU believe, rather than basing it on what you are told to believe, is such a liberating experience! It feels so good to break out of the small little box that the church puts you in, and discover that you can still have a relationship with God in your own way. So, having to squeeze back into the box every week to go to church feels so constrictive. When I talk religion with some of my friends of various faiths, we can have an open discussion about what we do/don’t believe, without anybody getting defensive and feeling like they have to convert anybody to their way of thinking. I wish I could sit in a SS class or EQ class and talk about what we each believe about different things, and have a real discussion, rather than being told what we believe. Any time somebody says anything that strays from the lesson, people are always there to step in and shove them right back into the box.
Holy Cow wrote:Going through an FC, and then rebuilding your testimony, based on what YOU believe, rather than basing it on what you are told to believe, is such a liberating experience! It feels so good to break out of the small little box that the church puts you in, and discover that you can still have a relationship with God in your own way.
I’d agree with that. I often think it takes “more” effort to be stage 5 and define things internally, rather than just accept the packaged message and programs and go with it. Broad thinking takes more analysis, more evaluation, more choosing what to include and exclude, and how to word it and handle it so it can be presented positively with others who think differently.
But as Ann and you mentioned…there are reasons that effort is worth the price. Connections. Relationships. Being social. It can be worth it.
The temptation to just go inactive is there and I can see the arguments…but there are trade offs, and those should be considered.
For me I love Llama-ing. Maybe because more than half my family is inactive I get some leniency from my ward and stake, but when I go to church, I go to work. I don’t have a desire to bring down the church or be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I want a Christ Centered Church. I have plenty of Sundays that are cringe worthy and I do go home and vent. But I work dawg hard to make room for all the other Llama’s that want to belong to the fold. This past Sunday our RS lesson was about connecting with the inactive’s. It was a good discussion. Sure some of the dog and pony standard’s came out but other comments came too. A convert mentioned burn out and how demanding our church is. Someone else spoke about being introverted. Another woman spoke openly about a horrid Bishop and how terrified she was of him. I jumped in and mentioned the book Planted. I explained that in the past few years a new experience that we don’t talk much about has effected people. I named the author and said where you could buy it.
Later we got into things and I shared positive examples of inactive’s who live productive, fulfilling, amazing lives. How they help others grow, make communities beautiful, etc.
My final comment was how much inactive’s hate being a project. That they can smell it a mile away and that it adds to the distance they want to carve out.
When the meeting was over the teacher rushed up to thank me profusely for adding. Because I wasn’t sure if she was sincere, I said “You don know you can tell me to shut up whenever you want.” Her answer was no. Then another lady who has publicly spoken about family that has fallen away asked more about Mason’s book. (Yes I know it’s not perfect, but it is a start to help heal relationships.). Then after everything was done another lady, who I barely talk to, and see as very TBM kept me after for 20 minutes sharing very painful and personal things.
Then this Llama went home.
I love these people. I would love to spare families the pain all of us have experienced. I would love to be open, so I try to shove water through whatever fissures and cracks come to pass. When talks or lessons that support my mission come up, I make a massive effort to engage with the person. To thank them and point out specifically what touched me. If we can’t talk then I send a note.
We maybe the most mixed up kids on the block but I think Llama’s have a lot to offer.
mom3 wrote:For me I love Llama-ing.
Bless you Mom! You know, in Spanish “Llama-miento” means “calling”. Maybe God is calling you to be a Llama.
Mom3…that was a wonderful post. Thank you Mom3, I think you just developed a new program: to make the Sheep become more like the Llama. Or just to consider the option. Minyan Man wrote:Mom3, I think you just developed a new program: to make the Sheep become more like the Llama. Or just to consider the option.
Each of those programs would be equally flawed. Right?
:angel: It’s in the execution my friend. :clap: :clap: :clap: Minyan Man wrote:It’s in the execution my friend.
You are so very right.Heber13 wrote:Minyan Man wrote:It’s in the execution my friend.
You are so very right.I’m not so fond of mutton, but lamb sure is good.
:shifty: The Many Llamas of the Church
[img]http://i.imgur.com/ufwJXsD.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/7ldArzY.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/9lE1aUV.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/LN78B8o.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/BHj9yAF.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/TPoTvIi.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/jijApTD.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/dIu0Pbh.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/Enz5rFA.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/6bThU8G.jpg [/img] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/Z8s4Wy6.jpg [/img] Bwaaaa Haaaa!!!! Love it!! 😆 😆 😆 I can’t figure out which llama I am. I’m not the unhappy one though. And I’m not the pink one with the horn. DarkJedi wrote:I can’t figure out which llama I am. I’m not the unhappy one though. And I’m not the pink one with the horn.
That’s easy:
[img]http://podhell.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/tauntaun.jpg [/img]
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