Closer to Home-- Moving On.

Tom's Journal.
http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/
tschuckman@aol.com

<<<< style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I sensed a little animosity after I attended one great bible study and met new friends/ believers at RBC-- then traveled quick to make the other far away service at Victory B.C. yesterday.... not from the majority of my old friends who were glad to see me after my long flu like sickness of 2 weeks, but the pastor. Or maybe I just paranoid.. lol. I hate to post my feelings about the 'state of that latter congregation' because the pastor is trying his level best to deal with things, but morale seems to be dead at VBC, IMHO, and/ or someone is dropping the ball. It's not a big deal, and I am so happy to have 'options' now and God may have bigger things planned for my wife and I.

|I use the example often about a 'hungry man going to where the real, red meat is when he is hungry and thirsty for knowledge and companionship/ camaraderie.' And if I already learned one big key part of the puzzle-- 'completely surrendering my self to Jesus' -- it was worth the move! The music and singing is of a far greater quality/ full of zeal, well rehearshed and professional -- but that should NOT be the main reason for someone to move/ attend, IMHO. I certainly don't want to cause ill feelings or poke fun at the smaller church that just doesn't have the 'resources' or organization to facilitate a smooth flow of knowledge and encouragement, and the proof is in the pudding. Racine Bible Church has a diversified 'break out' number of small groups of [about] 15-20 people each with a well trained,educated assistant pastor- moderator who gets into different subjects in a 'mini-course' of about 6 weeks, and I am with the assistant pastor, Wayne, that I met who had a nice introductory meeting with me last week-- and he is teaching the class on Proverbs-- my favorite book. Everyone gets a few chances to answer and explain his/her views and experiences on that Sunday's subject matter, in our case, Proverbs chapter 22. It was fun, educational, and all the people there opened up their hearts and souls. Well, maybe it's because I was the 'new kid on the block' but they were all very kind, courteous, cordial and respectful to me and liked my slant of things. I just know that my wife would benefit more at Racine Bible Church which is much closer to us-- than the variety of young inexperienced, unprepared, inapt, speakers at VBC Sunday school that I have attended over the years, some who just want to clown around, stumble and tell jokes.... sorry. I hope that the pastor of VBC doesn't have access to this post as it would hurt or make him angry. I need to remove the thousands of dollars worth of welding equipment and tools from that Church's garage.. as sometimes they 'grow legs' and don't get put away properly. I just have to have some order, rhyme and reason with my expensive tools so I know where to look when I NEED them... lol.

One thing that always bothered me is the various 'cliques', clans and dynasties that sometimes form in some churches, but I totally understand that we are all human, imperfect, sinners who naturally gravitate to others with "like interests", ie: young babies, fishing, hunting, hobbies, skills and various different intellects. I am just a friend- seeking person who enjoys fellowship, and obviously in a smaller church the possibilities are much smaller just for the sake of numbers and the law of average and younger age groups. I am not trying to bad mouth or tear down the fine people at Victory B.C. at all! I have invited many people over to my own house for parties, cook outs and just good old fellowship and association-- but they are ALWAYS 'too busy'...
And after all, one of the main reasons we began to 'look around' for a different church was because of the long distance to Victory, gasoline, which kept us from attending all the meetings. Very few people from Victory made that supreme sacrifice to drive the 22 miles to visit us in small town, Union Grove, and move out of their 'comfort zone.' Then when I really needed some help and encouragement, and my poor wife has serious heart trouble-- not one phone call or email that I can remember--- all of a sudden everyone was "too busy" or could not be bothered to find out. Sharon is hurt, disappointed and bitter at their unconcerned, cold, high and lofty attitude, and she has told me that she WANTS to move/ start going to Racine Bible church. Period.
Oh Well... now I don't have the time, gas or inclination to make that 'road trip' all the way to Kenosha , either. What goes around-- comes around... and life goes on... or makes a trasition thru death.
My main goal was getting to heaven in the first place. And there are more, accessible activities for this old Tom Turkey and much closer to my own humble hovel! I would still like to visit Victory and keep all my friends, but I bet that pastor will work up a sermon of "loyalty" to ones church in the near future.

Our back yard looks like a pond and I wish I had gravel to fill in the mud holes.
It's going to be a very nice day!

Tom