I understand where you are coming from. I've been at this church since
March, and just sort of watching... and noticing what was happpening!  it is
true that all churches aren't the same though if we've been hurt by one, we
tend to judge all the same.
Praying for you, as you too are looking, listening,
Rhonda
----- Original Message -----
From: "MV" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 7:32 AM
Subject: Re: singing with the church choir


> Rhonda,
>
> That's great. I understand your being leery. When  we went to Texas I
> didn't want anything to do with music ministry from being sort of burnt
> out  from the church we were at in WI previously. Eventually  someone told
> someone on the team I played and sang. A couple people prodded me and
> before I knew it I was playing and doing some specials, I loved it there.
> When we returned to WI however  we returned to the church we had left that
> now had a different pastor and I wasn't going to get involved as I figured
> it might be a temporary stay, we weren't sure we'd stay at that church for
> various reasons and were only going to "date" it. I wound up getting
> involved from a need they had and before I knew it I again was totally
> involved except this time I wasn't in agreement with the doctrine taught
> there. I felt it was a mistake to get involved so early and that I had
> run
> in front of  the horses a bit. Brenda thinks maybe not, that it served a
> need, regardless I decided I wouldn't make that mistake again. So
> we  gracefully bowed out of that church as best we could and began
> attending another, I soon found I was making the same mistake, not dating
> the church long enough to see how the things were there before jumping in
> and serving.  Again we found need to gracefully bow out of that church.
> This sounds terrible I know. I am adamant about not church hopping and was
> very disturbed about just that fact alone, yet I felt convicted serving at
> one place, and felt I was helping folks drown in shallow water in the
> latter one, including my family,  plus some other things which we could no
> longer feel conviction free in serving there. So I am leery about this
> jumping in and serving thing. Guess what happened  the Sunday before
> yesterday? The pastor of the church we  have been visiting on and off
> approached me and said "So I hear you have a hidden talent?" I said "Oh?",
> He said "You play guitar and sing.". I said "oh?". It turns out some folks
> who also left our former church attend this one as well and they squeeled
> on me. Then he called me later in the week to see about doing a special
> song during offering or something. I was agreeable but then it worked out
> I
> didn't anyway, but I did sort of agree to fill in if they needed help. He
> introduced me to the guy who heads up the worship ministry this Sunday. We
> talked family talk and etc. and a little music stuff  and then he had to
> go. I kept it light talk and was really hoping inside he'd not ask me to
> the weekly practice or the like. Just as I may like this church, I don't
> know it, and perhaps the opposite, they may like me on the surface, but
> they haven't known me long enough to know me and that isn't good either.
> I've seen people on worship teams get on that way when they were
> homosexuals and others that served in public ministries when they were
> living with married folks, not married to the one they were living with.
> So
> how can they know I'm not some sort of hatchet murder or something lol.
> Anyway, so I understand your apprehension. After thinking on this all
> more,
> I believe I need to cool my involvement at this point for a  couple
> reasons, one of which really doesn't have to do with that church in
> particular. Anyway, but I too have apprehentions although for different
> reasons.  I think yours were more damaging however and it is good to see
> Ben supported you as well. it is great you feel confident enough to begin
> to participate, churches are different and what happens at one doesn't
> mean
> it wil happen at the other, unless you self indulge as I had. It  is also
> good that they  feel comfortable with blindness. A lot has to do with the
> type of person one is and you are a very pleasant person and that sets
> people at ease too I think. So, does Bowers sing too? The baratone female
> on the team I bet she is. Give baritone Phil a run for his money.
>
> Brad
>
>
>
> At 01:46 AM 12/19/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>>Friday I sang with the Christ Fellowship choir in a Christmas program
>>called
>>Sing Joy! Ben and Christa came.  I was very glad they came.
>>I enjoyed singing, and the practices helped me get to know others better.
>>I
>>am really happy, didn't really plan to become involved again with a
>>"church"
>>after having been deeply hurt at the last church I attended.  But I am
>>glad
>>I went, even  though at first it was a little scary, everyone loves Bowers
>>my yellow lab guide dog especially the children.  Every Sunday,  they come
>>over when I am leaving and talk to Bowers and me.  According to them,
>>"Bowers is the smartest doggie in the whole world" Bowers of course
>>agrees.
>>Just thought I'd send in a note, it's late, and I am once again awake,
>>this
>>is due to my nap this afternoon.  We did the Christmas program at both
>>services today, so I was at the church at 8:30 I made Ben breakfast before
>>I
>>left so got up at 6:30.  I arrived home around  1:00 ate lunch and took
>>about a two hour nap.  I was very tired.
>>All my classes are all over, I ended with  three b's and two c's not too
>>bad.  I now have a little break.
>>I hope you all have a Merry Christmas,
>>Rhonda
>
> Brad
>
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