Learning

Over the summer because people are away so much, our small group decided to do something a little more laid back. Each week we draw 2 people’s names and then they come back the following week prepared to share their story. We also have a jar of random questions they draw from and answer some of those as well. It’s been a GREAT experience. It gives everyone a chance to talk about something they’re comfortable with- themselves. I’ve loved hearing all the stories.

Anyway, last night a couple that is fairly new to the group both shared. And like most of the other people in our group they grew up Catholic. They talked a lot about how they have just recently come to understand the “relationship with God” thing and why Christianity is different than Catholicism. It dawned on me that I really don’t understand Catholicism and therefore don’t really understand the people that our church is trying to reach. I don’t know the numbers, but a HUGE percentage of people in this area have a Catholic or Lutheran background. I’ve done a lot of reading and studying on reaching unchurched people, but that’s not really what the situation is in the Fox Valley. It’s people that grew up in a strict environment where church is just something you do. It’s a bit different than typical unchurched person that the mainstream seeker targeted movment is going after. I told the group that I’ve never been to a Catholic service and they all said that I need to go. And I think they’re right. I need to start there to begin to understand where people in this area are coming from.

~ by Dave on August 11, 2006.