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- Thread starter Jackalope
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Yeahhhhhh. I was raised Southern Baptist and spent a lot of time in church. I've bounced around to regular Baptist, Methodist, Nazarine, church of god and non denominational. Went to a private Christian school. Took 2nd place at state for a sermon I wrote and preached at 16. I've stood before congregations and preached as a youth. I grew away from the church after a while as I grew and noticed problems with the modern church. I've thought about the church idea but there's a couple problems with that. 1. Most of the who's who go to the biggest church in town. They like saying "I go to YYYY church." Others like to say "I go to the same church as Dr. So in so." Some of the fakest, most backstabbing, judgmental coniving people I've ever met sat in a pew. I'm partial to the small wooden church and classic hymns backed up by piano. Those churches aren't conducive to networking. Religion has always been a struggle for me in my adult years. Not so much with Christianity but the modern church atmosphere.
Buckmaster
Senior Member
Me too Joe but I believe in God. I was born Catholic and married a Methodist. On occasion I go to a Methodist celebration. Its more involved than Catholic. I kind of like it when I go. I do foresee much benefit in the fellowship activities as part of that church as I don't participate...probably never will. My wife and kids go every Sunday to the Methodist church. The congregation thinks she's a single mother although I'm doing home activities during that time. I will be buried as a Catholic. My burial plot is already purchased....meanwhile my father is a 70 year Catholic and participates in various church committee functions over the years...has had multiple job offers and hangs out with some fabulous folks, most admirable, and respected. Also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Some will give the shirt off their back for you. I have seen it. The after church is where the people of the community are at. I'm not ready for that yet...either, but I know where its at when I need it. That and the Library.
Buckmaster
Senior Member
....and Joe...all my surrogate Grandfathers came from the Catholic after church affiliate functions. I spent many memorable days, nights, and weekends, in circa 1800's households, cabins, and campgrounds because my father seemed drawn to his seniors a generation ahead of him (I'm much the same now....I like old men...listen, shut up, and learn). I've seen steam engines, rail cars, dairy cattle farms, hay lofts, wine cellars, nuidest colonies, hunting cabins, and heard the best wise tales a man/boy could ever wish for. I feel like Mason (Brock's boy) as a result. I'm a better person because of all that. ..............Teach Dave the proper means and ways..............
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This is an area I have gravely failed my kids.... church. I grew up with two grandfathers that were ministers. I don't think I ever missed more than one Sunday a year for the first 17 years of my life, and very few Wednesday evening services. Like Ben's father, my dad too was/is a "pillar" of their denomination... and it's earned. People can actually look to my dad as an example of a "Godly" life. I grew up resenting it. Deeply. I saw it as a list of things I could NOT do... I was the black sheep if there has ever been one. With that said, I do believe in God. I do not believe we just rot in the ground at death. The fundamentals I was taught as a kid still flow through my veins. Right and wrong has never been an issue for me... I try to do the right thing, knowing I'm never truly alone. I think that is what has kept me from being a much bigger fool in life than I have been. I think those traits have been passed on to my children. Where I really failed them was not personally introducing them to the "Church crowd". The very best people I have known are people I knew from our relatively small church. The old men, most of which were WWII vets, always shared their stories with me as I was inquisitive about their experience. I don't mean it was all blood and guts, but they tactfully gave me the image of their sacrifice for our great country. Fighter pilots, GI's, a man who served as a medic on Iwo Jima, and even Johnny McCumber, who served in the 506th from D-day to the capture of the Eagles Nest. He was truly a tough old bird and worked like a dog until dementia put him in a home. He was full of deer hunting stories from his youth in Bruce WI... way up north. He never fired a gun after the war..
There was old women married to those old men. They had all been married since they were kids. They just stayed together, even though they may not have wanted to at times. Its just what they did, and when one would pass, the other usually wasn't far behind. As it should be, IMO.
Church picnics were always one of my favorite summer events. Playing softball or other games with those people was great for a me, some of them had obviously been great athletes, my uncle was one of them. I still remember him as the strongest man alive, especially after he would hit a softball over the fence when we youngsters would talk him into it. Cancer killed him when I was 15. He was also the Sunday School Superintendent, and drug me and my life-long buddy, Lathe, out of more than one class when we got a little out of line.
Hey, that reminds me, the best friend I've ever had in my life, I met at our church. I don't even remember life before I knew Lathe. And we suffered through a lot of rough Sunday mornings together in our teenage years...
I got a little windy there.... In summary, I wish my kids would have had the level of involvement I did with that caliber of people. I failed in that area.
Ha... one more thing... The guy that showed me how compound bows with sights and all the whistles worked, I knew from church. And when I shot my first deer at the age of ten, he drove 30 miles to help my dad and I find it! He was the first bowhunter I knew that wore knee high rubber boots to eliminate scent. He had 'em on when he came to track, the were Northerns.
Most of the people I run into on a daily basis are simply not folks I hold in high regard. Looking back, I don't feel that way about anyone I knew from our little church. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't think as highly of the folks I would meet over here at the Greenfield Eagles.
There was old women married to those old men. They had all been married since they were kids. They just stayed together, even though they may not have wanted to at times. Its just what they did, and when one would pass, the other usually wasn't far behind. As it should be, IMO.
Church picnics were always one of my favorite summer events. Playing softball or other games with those people was great for a me, some of them had obviously been great athletes, my uncle was one of them. I still remember him as the strongest man alive, especially after he would hit a softball over the fence when we youngsters would talk him into it. Cancer killed him when I was 15. He was also the Sunday School Superintendent, and drug me and my life-long buddy, Lathe, out of more than one class when we got a little out of line.
Hey, that reminds me, the best friend I've ever had in my life, I met at our church. I don't even remember life before I knew Lathe. And we suffered through a lot of rough Sunday mornings together in our teenage years...I got a little windy there.... In summary, I wish my kids would have had the level of involvement I did with that caliber of people. I failed in that area.
Ha... one more thing... The guy that showed me how compound bows with sights and all the whistles worked, I knew from church. And when I shot my first deer at the age of ten, he drove 30 miles to help my dad and I find it! He was the first bowhunter I knew that wore knee high rubber boots to eliminate scent. He had 'em on when he came to track, the were Northerns.
Most of the people I run into on a daily basis are simply not folks I hold in high regard. Looking back, I don't feel that way about anyone I knew from our little church. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't think as highly of the folks I would meet over here at the Greenfield Eagles.
Buckmaster
Senior Member
Brock...from a different Mother. I need to hug you one day. You said it best my friend. I too have failed but the foundings of church is where it's at and where it shall remain. Follow it Joe. You will be rewarded...you will find.
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Yes sir, Brock nailed it for me. My kids even love going to church. I always hated it... I go once a year now and that'll take place this weekend. I did go about a month ago when my grandparents renewed at 60 years, so twice this year. Lol
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You and I didn't grow up much different there Brock, it read like a reflection on my own childhood. Sadly the men that you spoke of who possessed such resolve and moral character exist in very rare numbers today. They just don't make them like they used to. I too struggle with it now that I'm a father and realize I sit at the crossroad you look back on with regret. I haven't fallen away from my beliefs, I've fallen away from the modern church. However without the church my child will likely never know those beliefs for himself. It's a conundrum. I prefer the smaller churches with wooden pews and a good ole hymnal. I don't find a base guitar and drum set appealing at all. I don't care for gossiping women in their little hen gathered clicks. There's a big church up the road from me that is the go to place in town. I drive by and I see their million dollar building with big lights highlighting the architecture and I can't help but wonder how high the power bill must be to maintain all that vanity. Yet they expect me to put money in the plate in the name of the Lord while they burn a grand a month to power halogen lighting. Most churches today are a business masquerading as a religion. I need to find a small church somewhere.This is an area I have gravely failed my kids.... church. I grew up with two grandfathers that were ministers. I don't think I ever missed more than one Sunday a year for the first 17 years of my life, and very few Wednesday evening services. Like Ben's father, my dad too was/is a "pillar" of their denomination... and it's earned. People can actually look to my dad as an example of a "Godly" life. I grew up resenting it. Deeply. I saw it as a list of things I could NOT do... I was the black sheep if there has ever been one. With that said, I do believe in God. I do not believe we just rot in the ground at death. The fundamentals I was taught as a kid still flow through my veins. Right and wrong has never been an issue for me... I try to do the right thing, knowing I'm never truly alone. I think that is what has kept me from being a much bigger fool in life than I have been. I think those traits have been passed on to my children. Where I really failed them was not personally introducing them to the "Church crowd". The very best people I have known are people I knew from our relatively small church. The old men, most of which were WWII vets, always shared their stories with me as I was inquisitive about their experience. I don't mean it was all blood and guts, but they tactfully gave me the image of their sacrifice for our great country. Fighter pilots, GI's, a man who served as a medic on Iwo Jima, and even Johnny McCumber, who served in the 506th from D-day to the capture of the Eagles Nest. He was truly a tough old bird and worked like a dog until dementia put him in a home. He was full of deer hunting stories from his youth in Bruce WI... way up north. He never fired a gun after the war..
There was old women married to those old men. They had all been married since they were kids. They just stayed together, even though they may not have wanted to at times. Its just what they did, and when one would pass, the other usually wasn't far behind. As it should be, IMO.
Church picnics were always one of my favorite summer events. Playing softball or other games with those people was great for a me, some of them had obviously been great athletes, my uncle was one of them. I still remember him as the strongest man alive, especially after he would hit a softball over the fence when we youngsters would talk him into it. Cancer killed him when I was 15. He was also the Sunday School Superintendent, and drug me and my life-long buddy, Lathe, out of more than one class when we got a little out of line.
I got a little windy there.... In summary, I wish my kids would have had the level of involvement I did with that caliber of people. I failed in that area.
Ha... one more thing... The guy that showed me how compound bows with sights and all the whistles worked, I knew from church. And when I shot my first deer at the age of ten, he drove 30 miles to help my dad and I find it! He was the first bowhunter I knew that wore knee high rubber boots to eliminate scent. He had 'em on when he came to track, the were Northerns.
Most of the people I run into on a daily basis are simply not folks I hold in high regard. Looking back, I don't feel that way about anyone I knew from our little church. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't think as highly of the folks I would meet over here at the Greenfield Eagles.
Milo
Tatonka guide.
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Man joe if you ever find a church NOT full of sinners please let me know cause I wanna come me see...I used to feel the same way joe until i started going to church for ME and my personal relationship with god. Im not at all worried about everyone else...i got enough on my plate to worry aboutrotflmao
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Big_Holla
Senior Member
I thought about doing something like this a couple years ago when I ran into an old high school friend who is part of the local Lions club. At first I thought to myself that's for old people but looking in the mirror I realize I'd fit in these days. I just couldn't bring myself to do something like that simply because of time. Too many to-do's at home at this point and with the kids still young enough I don't want to miss out on that time either. That said I could get into an archery club or shooting club type of thing only because I could possibly involve the family as well.
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This makes perfect sense to me. I attended a sportsmans night at a huge church a few years ago. As luck would have it, I won an all-expenses paid trip to Canada to fish. I handed the "award" back and told them to take someone else. I had to go into a great big explanation that I fish every free minute already. At the time, Mason and I were going out of state to fish at least three times a summer as well as fishing locally a few times a week. I felt like I needed to give them a good reason that I had no interest in going to Canada with a church group that I know nothing about. I did not even want to get into the fact that I was super uncomfortable being around them, or the reason. The pastor of this church started it 25 years ago and is still there. They boasted about what a great thrill it was to fish on his boat... it was supposedly top of the line, all the goodies. Probably 60k worth. My grandfather was a minister in the same denomination for 80 years... He never did it as an income stream. He did many things to provide a good living, none of which involved ministry. The concept of a pastor getting rich from a church bothers me. Perhaps it shouldn't, but it does. It just doesn't show "the heart of a servant" as I envision it to be. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's me. BTW, that church is housed in one impressive structure...
I relate to a lot of this church talk. Grandfather was a preacher who eventually left the church because he felt people had come to worship him and not God, so he launched a ministry focused on selling his books and recorded sermons. I rarely go to church despite being married to a Catholic church-goer. No offense to the Catholics out there, but I'm not in to ritual and routine and get ZERO out of attending service with her. I believe in God and manage that relationship on my own time and in my own way. Despite the sense of community a church life brings, which I think is valuable, I have no desire to attend one. Sadly, as a business person with a sales focus, I hate networking in general. LinkedIn makes my skin crawl most days. The thought of being at a country club (despite loving to golf) makes me want to punch someone. A social club? Nah. I'm a bit of a loner and get my socializing done here. Sadly, you fuggers won't help me get my next job... lmao
Bigcountry40
Member
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I joined the eagles, cheap drinks, older crowd, no worry of wiggers trying fight me. I also enjoy playing euchre.
Amen. We are all sinners. Some try to change and improve themselves. Some go to church to be "a Christian" an hour a week. Some of the most God fearing people I know do not attend church but walk the walk 24/7. I am glad it isn't my place to determine who is genuine and who is putting on a show. I'll let God sort that out.
In regards to the churches (since we have side tracked), IF you want your kids to experience the church side of religion. . . You might start trying a few different churches out now. It may take a few before to settle on a home church. By then the little man will be older and able to understand it more. Just a thought.
I grew up Catholic. After 30yrs I grew tired of the panhandling homilies, and offering the sign of peace to people who stare you down as they race to the exits of the parking lot. Began going to a small Lutheran church. When the pastor retired the interim female pastor didn't fit my needs. The "interim" has been there nearly 2yrs and tried to get the church to marry a couple females. That split the church pretty bad. It is an older congregation. We are the youngest there. Most members are 70 or older. We moved on. I have nothing against gay people. I just don't agree with them marrying in my church. Attend service and I'll treat them like family. Just don't marry there. Guess I'm a hypocritical prick. Just the way I believe. Now we attend a large church with a band and such. It feels weird but they are a conservative church with a mission basis. Has lots of kids, tons of programs and activities, and is active in the community. For the sake of our children, I believe it is best. The messages they deliver have been outstanding. Maybe as we attend more it will feel more like home.
Amen. Find the place that you are comfortable talking to the Man. It can be a mega church, a wooden pew chapel up a hollow, or a cold tree stand.
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Sinners don't bother me. Hypocrites masquerading Christians do. I once heard a Southern Baptist preacher say to the congregation. "Half of you sitting in these pews are going to hell and you don't even know why". There's a lot of truth to that.
Milo
Tatonka guide.
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