If you've been following my blog you will know that when I first moved to Deloraine (4 years ago) I was attending the Conservative Mennonite church. Fellowshipped with them for about 6 months before deciding it wasn't for me.
You can read my thoughts HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. Best to read in order. And the comments at the end of the posts are interesting too.
Since then I've been attending another church which closed down earlier in the year (due to lack of numbers) and the Mennonites moved into the biulding (they had previously been meeting at the Seventh-day Adventist church).
So I decided to give them another try. I really enjoy their church service (bible study, message, singing) but after 6 months I start to feel hemmed in again. Like I am being squeezed into a mould the wrong shape. Anyway...suffice to say...I've decide it's not for me. Again. (Some of us are slow learners.)
I feel like a hypocrite because I don't really live that lifestyle 24/7 as they do.
And I really don't want to, because there is a lot of good stuff in the world and I think we need to use our own judgement on things, and that choice is basically taken away from you with the Mennonite church.
The church has definitely grown and some Australian families have joined, so I can see a future for the them here. I think it is the first Conservative Mennonite church in Australia. And they are lovely people.
But I can't do it...
So here I stand...
Again.
Ever the fringe dweller.
(it got much better reviews on UK Amazon than US - but read it and judge for yourself)
the journey continues...
xx
Well, I hope you find something, since you obviously enjoyed some of what they were offering, Lynda. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa. Have decided to give the Anglican Church a try. xx
DeleteYou know that I totally understand what you are saying and you are right, the mould is just not quite right ....... It's very difficult- many of us don't "fit" the moulds that churches seem to have on offer these days, but it's important to follow through on what you know is your path xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts Sharm.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it takes a lot of searching to find that path. I doubt there will ever be a church that 'fits' perfectly because we are all 'imperfect' people. Often we just have to settle for the one that is the closest fit. And for some of us the 'path' is full of twists and turns (often wrong turns), but that's what makes life interestin...and...it's all part of the journey. xx