Hey everyone,

This question sort of goes out to those involved in the Unitarian Universalist and Progressive Christianity thread, but others feel free to pipe up.

This past week a ministry colleague of mine emailed that she had been told by some people in her congregation that there was "too much prayer" in the service, and they thought she was using prayer as a cover for being "unprepared" for worship.

 Ok, for my first blog EVER on WonderCafe, I'll be telling the world about my beliefs. Start out big, eh?

So many people claim to "love Jesus" but the hate the church. I think this a wrong view for three reasons:

• The Church loves Jesus
• The Church loves those who love Jesus
• Jesus loves the Church

If you're interested in reading more about this topic, read the rest of this post at my blog

We have been talking on WonderCafe since it was born, about church, old ways, new ways, changes, dwindling numbers, unhappiness , so I have a simple question "Is the church relevant in 2009?

I will be waiting with bated breath to hear what you think and why.

Last night before the Candlelight Service started, a woman behind me (a visitor I guess) was ranting on about how terribly inappropriate it is to have a Christmas tree in a church.  "It's a pagan tradition.  It has no place being inside a church.  It's awful - it drives me crazy.  Maybe outside would be okay.  I guess people just go along with whatever."  She was very serious about it. 

 I don't know how anyone can use the word "church" (when referring to "followers of this Way") after how this thing began and the state it is in now.

By "thing" I mean the "visible" organisations which puport to be the "body of Christ"; as contrasted with the invisible church which God sees. That invisible church which believes only that Jeshua (son of Joseph and Mary) is the One who shed His Blood for God's requirement in terms of God's Law and Tabernacle.

My church has just initiated the 40-day Purpose Driven Life program. Each day, we would spend some time doing devotions and reading while reflecting on a big question: What on Earth am I here for?

I'm hyped up at the thought of finding my reason to live...I don't think I have one yet...and it's not guaranteed that I would find it by the end of the month..but I'm sure that this will be a time where I can get a glimpse of what God has planned for me.