Meg's Musings

Involvement

I think it’s interesting to hear people describe themselves—what pieces of info they choose to share at first and what impression they want to make. It shocks me how many adults want to impress me (yeah, I have my people I instantly want to impress as well). These conversations are much different in working relationships than friendships and friendships than dating, etc.

One of the weirdest places to do this is church. I’ve recently been asked a number of times about what I’m involved in. Part of me thinks this is great considering Mark’s message last week, but part of me questions the motives of those asking. A few of the queries I’ve fielded have been motivated by comfort level (they’ve met me; am I part of this Quarterlife thing they’re thinking about showing up to?). I have no problem telling this set that yes, I’m involved, have been for awhile, it’s got decent leadership which I’m a part of and there’s a women’s bible study I co-lead in my living room on Wednesdays as the conversation progresses.

This full answer only applies to that set of people (apparently my blog-reading public as well, but I’m guessing most of you know me well enough to unpack that anyway).

There’s another set that’s getting ready to judge my spirituality and our possible friendship or no based on my answer. It’s sort of in the way the question is asked—lead up to after other prestige questions or before much has been said. There’s this feeling that I get that if I’ve got the right pedigree, we’ll try a friendship. If not, why bother?

This attitude fully annoys me and makes me sad.

One of the things I initially liked about Riverview was that no one asked for that pedigree or tried to “get a feel” for my Christianity. They just let me reveal it in time. Heck, one friend still discovers my involvement with CCC on a regular basis not because he doesn’t find it important, but because he does find it unimportant enough to retain in his mental file cabinet.

The first time I met Steve Sommerlot I didn’t even know he was a pastor. I think we talked about coffee flavors and whether coffee has more caffeine or sugar if it has added flavor. I like that my first interaction with one of my pastors was not loaded with the subtext of how-Christian-are-you?

On the other hand, it is a fair question—the things a person believes, thinks and feels make up who they are. These are often indicated by how they use or waste their time and occasionally by their level of involvement in something.

So here we go—how does one answer that question in both a humble, non-self-serving manner and honestly without negative pride?

Also, meeting with my prof. today @ 6. Please pray for me.

posted by Me @ 15:06