Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
--lessness
At our last meeting, we discussed several things about the young adult group in general. The principal thing that sticks in my mind is our discussion about our powerlessness and voicelessness as a group.
Several of us are on various committees in the church. Yet, while we are given membership, it seems we are often ignored when we make a suggestion. Often, our ideas have some merit, because they are suggested again by someone older and more respected. Whether that person had payed attention to what we said, or if they just thought it up on their own, is anyone's guess.
In my personal opinion, the fact that there is a young adult group in the church is both silly and sad. While we do have different life goals and experiences than someone 10, 20, or more years older than us, we should not be segregated because of that. That does make us different, but that should not give the older generations the excuse to ignore us, or to push us aside, or to not pay attention to our wants and needs.
However, we must now ask ourselves: are we part of the problem? Are our ideas out of line with Church doctrine, or with the bible? Do we make it difficult for the older generations to relate to us? Are our goals different from what they should be? Or is it not our fault at all, but a failing on the part of the church leadership?
Whatever the true problem is, let's work to fix it. Let's identify what needs work within ourselves, so that we can truthfully say that we are not the problem.
Several of us are on various committees in the church. Yet, while we are given membership, it seems we are often ignored when we make a suggestion. Often, our ideas have some merit, because they are suggested again by someone older and more respected. Whether that person had payed attention to what we said, or if they just thought it up on their own, is anyone's guess.
In my personal opinion, the fact that there is a young adult group in the church is both silly and sad. While we do have different life goals and experiences than someone 10, 20, or more years older than us, we should not be segregated because of that. That does make us different, but that should not give the older generations the excuse to ignore us, or to push us aside, or to not pay attention to our wants and needs.
However, we must now ask ourselves: are we part of the problem? Are our ideas out of line with Church doctrine, or with the bible? Do we make it difficult for the older generations to relate to us? Are our goals different from what they should be? Or is it not our fault at all, but a failing on the part of the church leadership?
Whatever the true problem is, let's work to fix it. Let's identify what needs work within ourselves, so that we can truthfully say that we are not the problem.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Interesting ommission
A little while ago, I was reading in Matthew, and I came across an interesting verse. Everyone knows that "where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them," (Matt. 18.20) but few know that that is not the whole story. In the verse just before that, Jesus says "I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." This is an amazing promise! Especially given some of the other promises in the bible, such as "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God... and it will be given to him."
Even more amazing, I had never heard this verse until I read it. No one had quoted it to me, and I had somehow missed it every other time I went through Matthew. You'd think that everyone would know this verse, but few people seem to think that this is important enough to quote. People do often pray together, living by this principle, but I've never heard this verse quoted as the reason.
Even cooler, I shared this passage with some friends on a friday. That sunday, Pastor Craig quoted that verse to the congregation before praying. I was quite surprised: on friday I'm telling people that I've never heard this verse, then sunday the pastor is quoting it to the whole church!
Just keep that promise in mind: wherever two people agree about what they're asking God for, he will give it to them. It's an awesome promise to live by!
Colin Daniel
Even more amazing, I had never heard this verse until I read it. No one had quoted it to me, and I had somehow missed it every other time I went through Matthew. You'd think that everyone would know this verse, but few people seem to think that this is important enough to quote. People do often pray together, living by this principle, but I've never heard this verse quoted as the reason.
Even cooler, I shared this passage with some friends on a friday. That sunday, Pastor Craig quoted that verse to the congregation before praying. I was quite surprised: on friday I'm telling people that I've never heard this verse, then sunday the pastor is quoting it to the whole church!
Just keep that promise in mind: wherever two people agree about what they're asking God for, he will give it to them. It's an awesome promise to live by!
Colin Daniel
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Uprising Young Adults
Welcome to the Mt Zion Uprising blog. We are the young adult ministry for Mt. Zion UMC; created and run by the young adults of our church. This is where we post events, devotionals and thoughts. God bless and check back often to see what God is doing in our lives.
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