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Originally Posted by goldtopper
A new leader starts next week and the Pastor's wife (who is a wonderful woman) said not to worry, several of these people will be leaving because they only come to sing anyway and that things will change.
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I'm not a church-going man, but it seems to me that, if these folks wanted to get together and perform weekly, there are other avenues to do so. I always thought the point of going to church was to worship God. To put the glory of God above the glory of self. Seems to me that this group has its priorities mixed up.
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Originally Posted by goldtopper
At this point, anything we'd be involved in would feel patronizing and that we'd be "thrown a bone"; due to our small congregation, we are sure gossip has spread.
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No disrespect to you or your wife, but that sounds like pride talking. There will be gossip (what close-knit community doesn't have gossip?), but I think if you stick with it and keep an open heart, things will work out. If you mean well and act accordingly, things will work themselves out.
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Originally Posted by goldtopper
So what do we do? Our kids love the Church and our daughter is midway through Confirmation.
We both feel it is so important to set a good example for our kids and everyone else's. We also love to glorify God through music and think it is our calling to serve Him in that manner. We don't feel "complete" if we can't spread His word through P & W.
Help!
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One word: grace. Be gracious. You can't force your way into any close-knit community, and you can't expect to be wholly accepted in a few years. Do what you can to support the community, be consistent, be kind, and time will work for you.
I'd stick with it. Remember why you are going in the first place. Think of poor old Job. Take some advice from his actions. That's one of the best lessons you can pass on to your kids: to have perseverance, patience, and faith.
I'm just a rotten old self-centered sinner, and if my grandmother were alive, she'd probably point out the hypocrisy of some of what I say (I could never be accused of the vice that is practicing what one preaches.
). But she was with her church for more than 50 years -- through a dozen or so ministers; lineup changes; church remodels; marriages; births; deaths of good friends; divorce, even... Being involved in all of that was important to her. But that's not why she went. She went to convene with God and worship Him.
Like I said: I'd stick with it.
I'm sorry your wife was so upset. It was an upsetting situation, to be sure! But emotions are high right now. Give it some time. I think it's written somewhere special; something along the lines of "this too, shall pass?"
Peace to you and your family...