tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1113767935196076705.post4893127933936182235..comments2023-05-25T06:06:11.381-06:00Comments on for posterity...: Academic Thoughts on Church Growth/declineDavid and Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397313447137818213noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1113767935196076705.post-19610732476802004542011-09-28T17:05:02.358-06:002011-09-28T17:05:02.358-06:00I think Valerie (and yes, I) expect more from memb...I think Valerie (and yes, I) expect more from members of the True church. I think we may be a part of the most unkind ward I have heard of and no one is doing anything about it- except for distancing themselves. I am tired of trying to get past the "the Church is perfect, the people are not." When the people are really, really REALLY not.Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15260117428119041785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1113767935196076705.post-46037825287008550922011-09-27T17:36:41.930-06:002011-09-27T17:36:41.930-06:00Best time to have those talks - when the questions...Best time to have those talks - when the questions and doubts arise. Good mothering. The members are obviously fallible. They are not the Church nor the gospel, even though they (we)are the reason for it. If Valerie can look beyond the pettiness of certain members, beyond that ward to broader gospel horizons, even to eternity, everything will make more sense. Of course, that can be difficult for a young person, but you'll help her.David and Debbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18397313447137818213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1113767935196076705.post-78847801443523046172011-09-27T11:07:06.896-06:002011-09-27T11:07:06.896-06:00Yes, when I was in college, it was another women&#...Yes, when I was in college, it was another women's college- and I went through the town (Buena Vista) on the way home. It is 30 miles from Staunton and is less than an hour away from where we live. It is a really beautiful campus- down the road is VMI and Washington and Lee, so we have lots of interesting academies here, for sure. <br /><br />I thought about the talk all last night and I think it is actually very close to the lines of my thoughts on the subject- but very well-articulated. It will be interesting to see who things shake out with the republican nominee, but I would bet that if Romney gets it, the church is going to be quite scrutinzed. I do think some of the cultural things that are practiced just because every one else in the ward does it, should be thought about. I am 100% ok with the doctrine though. I will have to come back when I have more time and tell you all about the conversation I had with Valerie Sunday. She really, really, REALLY does not like our ward because of some really unkind behavior over and over again. We had a talk about what is the Gospel and what is not. Timely too, because I have had the same struggles.Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15260117428119041785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1113767935196076705.post-12489112679952026212011-09-27T09:08:25.149-06:002011-09-27T09:08:25.149-06:00I had no idea SVU was so close to you. There are ...I had no idea SVU was so close to you. There are quite a few kids from Idaho who go there. I listened to part of this talk - very interesting. I'm going to finish it later. Thanks for sharing this Crystal.David and Debbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18397313447137818213noreply@blogger.com