Now, church isn’t a place where I can chat with the friends I grew up with; it’s a place where I have to make new friends. Now, church isn’t a place where I have a regular pew and a regular crew; it’s a place where I have to pick a random seat and smile through awkward introductions. Now, church isn’t a place where I can greet visitors; it’s a place where I have to receive a grand tour so that I don’t get lost on my way to the bathroom. So as a church visitor who’s quite introverted, here are three things that I’d like to tell regulars at the churches I visit.
Why You Shouldn’t Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
We’ve all heard that we need to wear our hearts on our sleeves and let our emotions determine how we act. But if you’ve ever been rejected by a friend whom you bared your soul to or ignored by a boyfriend whom you spoke intimately with or reprimanded by a mentor whom you shared your darkest secret with, then you know that wearing your heart on our sleeve is messy.
Dear Zoom
The year 2020 was a year of virtual everything—meetings, classes, conferences, church services, baby showers, bridal showers, funerals, performances, and more. I hadn't done much video chatting before 2020, but all of a sudden, video chatting became the new normal. While it's great for connecting with friends and family members who live far away, it can never replace in-person interactions and relationships.
When People Let You Down
Disappointment hit you harder than you expected. You didn't realize that crushed expectations could cause such deep sadness. But in this moment, you genuinely can't remember the last time you experienced as much pain as you're experiencing now.
If I Let You Go
I'm not saying that I'm going to let go of my relationship with Maddy. But grasping this relationship so tightly is making me exhausted. But what—or who—should I grasp instead?
What Young Adults Need to Know from Their Ministry Leaders Right Now
That’s why we as young adults need to hear the truth from our ministry leaders during this time. We can’t change our circumstances, but we can change our perspective. Thankfully, you can help us do that. There are a few things we would appreciate you telling us.
You Can Move On When Your Brother or Sister in Christ Sins
These people ran away from God. Maybe they’ve even confessed their sins, but their lives will never be the same because of their sinful choices. Every day, you think about their decisions and how their decisions have impacted you. And you wallow in your disappointment and pain. What else can you do?
How Pride Came Before My Fall
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I am Grace in this story. However, unlike my name, I'm often lacking in grace for myself and for others.
3 Reasons We Need More Transparency in the Church
But believers are not going to grow in their faith by talking about the weather, sports, or politics. On the contrary, believers are going to grow in their faith by sharing their current addictions, temptations, and sins. I believe there are three main reasons why we should be transparent about our struggles.