My last day officially at Millwoods, was one of deep seeded sorrow and a heavy heart. Knowing that my summer will be swarmed and swamped with spending time with Jacquie and her family exites me, yet a piece of me will be left behind. Never before have I gone through this much internal anguish and sorrow for leaving (even my own youth group back home). The difference is that Millwoods is the sole demonstration of a comunity based relational church. Even though it is of great size, it births great comunity and fellowship as intended within and throughout the New Testament. Millwoods is where I will be calling home next year and hopefully doors within ministry will avail themselves and open, yet, I will plan on transfering membership to this church. Thanks to you all at Millwoods for wasting know time in making me feel like an intimate and integral part of your comunity. Many have opened their hearts and homes and I will never forget the legacy imprinted and impacting my ministry throughout the summer. You all have left foot prints on my heart and greater formed my ministry.
KEEP IN TOUCH
SIMON OUT!
posted by Simon Weresch at 1:42 AM
5 Comments:
Millwoods is the "sole demonstration of a community-based relational church," "as intended within and throughout the New Testament"? I'm pretty sure there are others out there, perhaps even around the homefires (these days, especially in Caledonia, "homefires" are literal), but you only know what you know. I can't imagine how hard it would be for you to leave Millwoods (I haven't found a church that is very "community-based" and "relational" yet, I guess), but I think you might be able to take that relational aspect and bring it home wih you to Bethel Gospel Tabernacle, to their youth group, to the ministry to which God has called you. That bit about not having as much sorrow and anguish about leaving BGT's youth group as you did for Millwoods is something I hope that you amend; if I were a sensitive member of BGT, perhaps I'd feel as if you didn't care for me as much as you do Millwoods, despite having spent more time with BGT than with Millwoods. As for transferring membership to Millwoods, I would advise against being too hasty about things: wait until summer with Jacquie and her family has ended before you start putting down serious roots in far-flung places, I'd say. Anyway, these are just random thoughts on a cool Wednesday morning. Safe travels homeward.
My dear criticle brother;
I guess it is my fault. I should never compare. However, the point I intended to get accross is that it is harder leaving a church like Millwoods since it has accepted me with open arms. The people have invited me into their homes, and never hesitated to invite me out. I feel accepted. Bethel is also close to my heart. I am not plaing favorites simply illustrating how close to Millwoods I have been. Transfering church membership I feel as a nesesity since my membership is at a church that I dont feel close to and is apart of a church that has done more rejection then accepance. Make no mistake I have no bitterness towards "that" church. I simply wish to transfer my membership to a relational church whom I feel close to. This would be healthy even if just for a short season. It is not fair that my membership be with a church I am not close with. Not fair to the people of the church, me, or God. When the time comes for me to leave Edmonton if and when I am called to then I will transfer my membership again. Membership is vital and key to a comunity of believers.
I appologize for the way things came out, but Millwoods, you will be missed and remebered throughout my summer.
we will miss you too Simon
Simon, it was fun-times with you this year buddy! We will miss you, but not too much...jk. Peace
Well, your conversations are very interesting to be sure. It pays to look up definitions:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=evangelical
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=evangelicalism
When did evangelical become a bad word. And when did it become feeling based. I know that is not the most sophisticated dictionary, but still...
I think the question of membership is interesting, too. I'm just curious why you be a member of a church you don't go to, or why you wouldn't be a member of the church you do attend and receive from.
Perhaps I am too simple to be an evangelical Christian in an evangelical church.
:)
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