Comments on Pastor Mom: Sunday Strikeout

That's funny. I HATE chuch shopping. I just fini...

2006-08-22T08:05:00.000-05:00

That's funny. I HATE chuch shopping. I just finished my search, it took me about 3 months, but I found a chuch I love with great kids programs. I would imagine it it hard for a pastor to find a church that fits them. -Darby

Ha ha ha; I was writing a reply to the development...

2006-08-04T11:39:00.000-05:00

Ha ha ha; I was writing a reply to the developmental question the same time as my brother "the thief"... Teeeeeee heeeee heeee....
I am emailing it for you to get because I got very rambly. It's a side effect of the former (preschool teaching) career.
But suffice it to say, YES, a three-year-old SHOULD share. NO, they don't by habit.

For some reason I am unable to comment in the corr...

2006-08-04T11:36:00.000-05:00

For some reason I am unable to comment in the correct section (in the developmental question post), so unfortunately my comment goes here.

Some 2 year old children share. I get to watch Jonathan and Mark share very nicely. They don't always want to share, and sometimes certain choice toys are hoarded, but that's when parents intervene.

It sounds like "Aaron" has an enabling mother; I wouldn't be setting up play dates with them anytime soon.

Oh no! Well the good thing is there are 19 other ...

2006-08-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

Oh no! Well the good thing is there are 19 other UMCs in your zip code, so hopefully you can find a good fit. :) I would not be thrilled about the way he looked over you when shaking your hand. Gosh my two father pastor's ever were both at Dalewood UMC in Nashville and they made me *want* to be at church, even as a child. I loved their sermons and they were always so meaningful. I cried when they left and went on to other churches. Dr. Hill is now at Franklin UMC http://www.franklinfumc.org/contact%20us.htm and I'm not sure where Brother Panter is now, I think he is retired.

Good luck MB, I know you'll find a good one!

I would offer for you the churches in our previous...

2006-08-02T10:40:00.000-05:00

I would offer for you the churches in our previous town (which is why we ended up in a Lutheran church in our current town):
#1: The vampire church. as in "AHHHH, fresh blood!" We wished to watch quietly from the sidelines for the first service, until a sweet older lady in the front row said, "There's a young couple here I haven't seen before..."
#2: The "woman must be silent church". "Ours is a church with no problems," the pastor proudly proclaimed (to Tim) when he and the associate came to call. I for one do not trust a church with "no problems..." When asked about the possibilities of small group Bible studies (something Tim and I both believe in), we were told that this pastor has "no problem with men getting together to study the Bible" (emphasis his, not mine.)
#3: The church where a sermon was preached on kindness. Yes, on how we should be kind to others. Um, duhhhhhhh.....

Mary Beth, Like you, I assume, when we move we l...

2006-08-02T07:45:00.000-05:00

Mary Beth,
Like you, I assume, when we move we look at churches with an eye toward service, since we know that God will have us serve in some fashion! We also ran into a similar situation at the last place we lived - a nice church, but no one there took the time to greet us! The pastor did, as he stood at the door, but that was it.

When a church is not even welcoming toward visitors, the problems there are serious! May you be blessed in your continuing search.

Gavin, I'm not a King of the Hill watcher, but tha...

2006-08-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

Gavin, I'm not a King of the Hill watcher, but that's quite funny. Are there any UMC's with Starbucks? If so, I may have to go denomination-shopping.

Brian, Jay and I were particularly well-behaved. We didn't start trashing the service until we were halfway home.

Jennifer, Yeah, I tend to think that pastors are a little more understanding toward other pastors, but I wonder how many other newbies have felt totally shunned by this guy.

I had a similar experience the first Sunday after ...

2006-08-01T11:53:00.000-05:00

I had a similar experience the first Sunday after we moved to Kentucky. We were invited by a couple (who taught a young-married's Sunday School class) and that class was wonderful. But the church service was horrible and the sermon... ouch. I wanted to say something, but theonly person near enough to talk to was an older woman next to us on the pew -- and she turned out to be the pastor's wife.

what no starbucks? definitely don't go back

2006-08-01T01:05:00.000-05:00

what no starbucks? definitely don't go back

How sad! You are very gracious to imply that maybe...

2006-07-31T20:05:00.000-05:00

How sad! You are very gracious to imply that maybe the church and the pastor was just having an "off" day, being one yourself and all... but how many people who aren't even believers, or new believers, have walked into that church and had the same experience? With no frame of reference for giving the benefit of the doubt? Sad.