u/SGT-Pentium4

I guess I've been very thoughtful lately about life in general and how I address things. I'm a people person, to a fault. Putting others first before my own, then I end up getting hurt when it doesn't work out or if people think it isn't enough. While I was a youth, service was en-grained into me and I'll always be of service regardless of my circumstances.

In all of my religious expressions, I've tried to build up the church and to make people happy. While doing this, I end up being exhausted and frustrated that I've come up short. I have attitudes like "If I help with this one last thing, I will see results or make someone happy". It is always one last thing, one last activity, one last sermon .. It never ends.

I guess that is why I am so burned out and I see others also burned on both ends. I've only been doing this for a decade, I could only imagine what folks in the church have went through in a lifetime. People build the church and congregations just to have the tides come and wash it away. In my professional life, I can measure effort and outcomes, here.. not so much.

Then we are our own worst enemy at times. I've known members to quit attending when an argument over building issues gets out of hand. Our buildings are mostly crumbling and aren't welcoming to 2026 sensibilities and when they need repairs, it is hard to get that done due to the red tape and arbitrary rules. People would rather measure the drapes instead of mission.

I'm at the point where I am focusing on me for once. If something upsets me, if I find it a distraction, I remove it from my life. I've done things because someone else wants me to do it, I'm doing things because I want to do it.

It isn't selfish, it is self preservation. I've carried burdens of people that aren't mine. I'm leaving them at Jesus' feet and asking Him for help. Jesus will fix it, if that is the path. I have to live with my mind clear, not being inhabited by people who aren't a part of mission. Once that happens, I can wait until new opportunities to serve presents itself. Of course, I'll say "Here I am, send me!"

I've been thinking lately about my decade involvement with the church lately and the good blessings it has given me. I have to say, one thing that Community of Christ does best, hands down, is their hospitality and friendliness to those who are visiting or searching.

I started going to a congregation that was in the same town. They built a church in 1978 that could handle 250 people or so, complete with a baptism fountain, kitchen and multiple classrooms. It was 17,000 square feet and there hasn't been a building that matches what this congregation had. When I first walked in, I didn't know what to expect, I was unsure as I never met a Community of Christ member before. I was greeted with open arms, had plenty of people to talk to and even someone said I was an answer to prayer (that was overwhelming but ok).

As they got to know me, I was trusted with helping out, even as a non-member. I was used to helping with tasks so it made me feel wanted and valued. I can't think of a time where anyone sincerely appreciated my presence on a regular basis. They had birthday celebrations for me, a pot luck where I picked the main dish and of course, lots of conversation and even classes.

I went to a Camp one year, several counties away and was once again, greeted with all sorts of positivity. I wasn't the only newbie there, that same hospitality was extended to those people as well. When I was a member of the Mission Center Council, I visited other congregations and mostly was greeted with more enthusiasm.

If I were Community of Christ, I would highlight "Radical Hospitality" as an important aspect of our church. It really plays into the Worth of All Persons thing very nicely. A lot of us come to Community Christ in our most broken hearted moments, while the expectation is to not completely fix what troubles us, it does help to have a listening ear. Being a church of listeners is something the world needs.

How can we talk less and listen more in our community? Are there people in your life that could use an ear? Think about that..

I'm not much for going to Community of Christ these days. The church was a welcome addition to my life for almost a decade but now I am pretty sour. I went because I had a death in the family and I figured coming to Church would give me some community. Well.. it went just OK.

On certain Sundays, they forego a typical service and go to a local breakfast chain restaurant. We gathered around a circular table and enjoyed each other's company over pancakes, sweet roles and coffee. A decent way to spend a Sunday in Fellowship.

While we were talking at the table, somehow we got on the topic of why I am absent. I didn't want to talk about it and ruin the vibe but I let some of my thoughts leak out. I didn't say anything that was shocking, but I had a lot less fun and was less settled after I said the things I said.

One of the male members, who is older, suggested that I am upset that others do not see what I see and feel ignored. Really, I don't really have a need to spread my malcontent with others because I have a testimony of people's journeys and how light/knowledge is distributed in their own time. It still stuck with me though.. Why am I upset? Why can't I just enjoy my surroundings and the activity that is happening without overthinking?

I just feel duped into believing the equivalent of Disney Star Wars, changed to suit whoever talking or in charge. What happened to feeling the spirit? What about the Fellowship with those in the church? Gone is the story, people don't care about the old church anymore. I just feel, post Temple sale, it has become more depressing and more about the personalities and less about the sacred story of our church.

I've tried to get involved with other organizations but it hasn't worked. I'm likely the problem, everyone else is the same, my expectations are too high. I just get distracted by things that are out of my reach and those who have the louder microphone. I can't stand that.. I see what the issue is, but it isn't up to me to point that out.

I hope I have the time to ask questions in the next life. I have 100 questions, most start with "why..."

Hello! I believe Downtown Toledo has had a power outage since Sunday. Does anyone have any insider information on when it will be back? I'm not finding any information out there and the media isn't reporting on it.