The next big change

I have had to resign as a deacon at Burnt Hickory. The eldership has decided to ask for a "recommitment of the leadership" by May 15. Our family will not be able to meet that deadline. Makes me sad. I may even not be allowed to continue in any other avenue of service - Life Group leader, 5th grade teacher, or worship leader. We'll see.

Makes me sad. Very sad.

I am so frustrated with our tribe/movement. I so want to be free of so much of the dogmatic crap of my heritage (Sorry, there isn't a nicer word. There are several that are less nice...). I don't want to raise my daughters in a fellowship where I have to make (lame) excuses for our position or reputation. I want them to love Jesus, follow Jesus, be committed to Jesus. Not to a fellowship, or a belief system, or to a heritage - though love for all those things is good. Such a love MUST not supplant devotion to Jesus.

The cost of leaving the COC would be very high. I'm trying to count the cost of staying...

Lord, have mercy. Please.

Patience is hard

I wanted to call this post "Patience Stinks" or even "Patience Sucks" but was only willing to tell you that, not actually do it.

Our frustration level with our current church family continues to climb. Though I wonder if they would admit it, I truly believe that the leadership that remains there believes that they (we) are "the only ones." I truly do not think I can stand with that attitude/belief.

I feel SO conflicted. I hate severing ties to my heritage - yet I do not think that my heritage would allow me to change anything without severing those ties. And those ties, at some level anyway, include my family (not in my house - I'm talking about my parents, etc.)

More later...