Kathy,

Searching for politically correct answer sensing a set up lol.

*rubbing hands together before setting them on the keypad*

First let me say, I am not against organized gatherings of believers, nor
am I against calling it a church. I mean it is a matter of semantics
anyway. We go to cake walks and I don't see any cakes walking about, but
they are still delicious. Or here, just the other day, my wife, she says...

"Don't jump all over me!"

I swear!  My feet never left the floor!! Ever heard someone say... "She
jumped down my throat on that one!" Very difficult imagery here, very
difficult indeed. Especially  if we take some things literally. So "church"
to me is the people, who tend to collect in buildings of same name but
hardly the same thing. I mean buildings are made of cement blocks and
mortar... well I was called a blockhead the other day so perhaps there is
some similarities... I don't know. Anyway, the point is church indeed is
the people and not the place.

The question is, "how long do you wait, when exploring a new church, before
you get involved?"

Well as Phil noted there are two sides to that proverbial coin, a servant's
side, and the leadership's side. We too had people wanting to jump in and
do music after being there only one Sunday... Geesh I hope we didn't sound
that bad... anyway, yes we don't know who they are, where they came from or
what their beliefs are on such items. I mean get a low key tongue talker
who suddenly feels led to speak his piece during praise and worship in the
midst of a room full of  Baptists, and you got all kinds of shades or red a
happening. From blushes to heads ready to blow.

As for the servant's side? There are similar considerations, or should I
say "discernments". For instance here they seem to have a need for praise
and worship folks, or so I thought in myself... wrong. They could well have
done without me, but I wanted to involve myself because that is what I like
to do. I do not care  to just sit back but like to get involved in an area
I can contribute. And after all, this church seemed to be contemporary, did
messages on salvation, seemed unstuffy, and seemed to  have a heart for the
community. And it does. However, the doctrinal differences I have I ignored
at the time to find a church nearby, one that we could be involved within
the community this time and not travel. And, seeker friendly? Hey it is
good to catch those seeking God. The problem is with that there is
compromise. I won't go into detail but there are issues I just do not feel
is part of God's word. So to really sum  up this dribble with an answer,
I'd say "until God leads you to get involved". How do I say this without
sounding egotistical or positionally Pius, because I'm not. Involved has
it's own intensities. I mean jumping in to play music is less dependent
upon than folding service pamphlets. Now now now now now now. now . Stop
it! Don't take that wrong. I truly believe we all work together and each is
an intricate part of itno matter what is seen or unseen, but finding
someone to fold pamphlets is a bit easier than anyone who is willing to
embarrass themselves in front of hundreds of folks by playing an
instrument. I mean I could become involved folding pamphlets and drop dead
and they'd mourn for me and hardly discuss who could take my place,  but if
one is leaned on to sing, lead others, play an instrument, work up songs,
work up schedules for singers and musicians, and so forth, the prospects
become in the form of a smaller ratio. That is why involvement is to be
followed by God's leading and not override it. Sometimes patience, as we
discussed need be exercised and not create an Ishmil (spelling???)There are
times people fill in because there is a need, a hole needing to be plugged,
and then there are times when things move on to where someone who is called
to be the real person need come in.

No quote, "church", is perfect, we are human, we have issues, jealousies,
egos, selfish desires, able to take offense, fears, desires and agendas we
see which leaders don't, and after all we are right aren't we?? Huh? Sure
we are, I think lolAren't we? Sure we are. Hmm? . There is no set time, a
month, six months or the like but there is a time of proving and a time of
knowing you are where God wants you to be. If not I could put all the names
of all the churches in a bucket and reach in and pick one. I really like
the people in this house of worship... see dad, not a church *smile* just
funnin' ya, and they are all good people, but it has been for some time now
I've known it was not where God wanted us to be, but we stayed to help
anyway, and we are still staying until end of May to not thwart any
momentum currently enjoyed by folks stepping forward to help. I do not feel
a rush to  attend or be members of another church for the sake of being in
one, I think there is a time of refocussing, and building up from the
resources we have here and then set out. I am also of the belief to not
forsake the assembly, because not only do we learn and grow as a result of
that assembly but others may as well from what you have to offer. It may
not seem so, but I am very bothered by the need for the decision which has
been made, first because I don't wish to lead anyone up the garden path
regarding our commitment to helping out. I mean I value commitment very
highly and feel I've put myself and family in a position of not letting my
yeses be yeses and my no's be no's.  More bothersome is that I put aside
what God might want and jumped in on my own reasoning. Perhaps it was meant
to be as such and God is just repositioning. There is no set time to
decide. I know, you as a pastor's spouse and involved in church as a
calling will have perhaps a different vantage point. So as Colin Rae, the
country singer says..."that's my story and I'm sticking to it!" lol. Now
aren't you glad you asked???

Brad